Putnam patriot., 1913-12-26

posed to know anything about it. Sup pose-suppose l can't stop it?"
 You must It's the only chance, They're delaying' the house proceed ings this minute just to get their proofs in order to launch the story to night They intend to use it to pre- vent my certain victory. And they must not. At the first sign that they mean to do so I shall have to go to your father and tell him who the Wom an isl would rather be shot. But
 "Oh," she burst out hysterically, "you wouldn't-you couldn't-do that! You're not so unutterably low as to trusted you-who-"
 I've told you" he replied, that ] am not in this fight as man, but as leader. It is one woman's good name against the welfare of a nation. ] haven't the right to protect you, Grace I won't let my sin as man de feat the great principles l stand for.
 You coward! You pitiful hypo critical coward" she ragged. You haven't the manhood to stand by your own past You'll let woman pay your debts-and pay them with everything that makes her life worth living. In all these years I've felt that if a moment like this should eveI come. I could rely on your honor. I've always believed you would at least what is the old phrase?-'perjura yourself like a gentleman It's easy enough to save yourself and call 1t duty to the people A coward can al ways find an excuse. Oh, l could car ry it all through safely, even now, Ii only you were a man instead of block of stone"
 "It is too late now for repyoaches,' he answered. For years I've been building up fighting strength-wait ing for the peoples chance of victory And that chance has come. If they lose. it shall not be because Of theii leader. r."
 "A woman's reputation Is worth more than any mere political victory.
 "Then." he commanded, tell youl father and husband so. They are pre- paring to wreck a woman's life to save themselves. No code of honor standi in their way. They are out to win To win at any price. And 1t is only fair that the filthy methods they use should come back on their own heaos If some one must be betrayed. why should 1t be the innocent? Why moi the Woman who is-guilty?
 "Matt!" she walled, her defense all swept away, in breath, If you let i-y husband know-do you realize what it would mean? It would mean a separation-a divorce-dlsgrace- everlasting disgrace! Am l to pay that price for your victory?'
 That is for you to decide. l simply warn you not to let your husband and father move against me on these lines That is all Good-by. l will come back later to see Mir. Blake"
 "Walt!" she begged. There is ons thing you can do-one thing you must do. It won't endanger your success My father and Mark and some other men are coming here for conference I want you to meet them and to urge them not to use this horrible story
 "It would be useless" he objected though moved in spite of himself, by her absolute brokenness. But I'll try II promise you I'll try my best. Ane II win guard your secret as long as Ii can be guarded. Until there IS nc .other possible chance Then-weii this story must be stopped. That ii all It is a waste of words for me te say how sorry I am to have made yog so unhappy tonight. Good-by."
 He was entirely master of himself now: cold. impersonal. phlegmatic. Nc one seeing him take his leave at the door of the Robertson suite would have guessed his brain contained a solitary thought beyond the possible winning of move in his cl-erishea political game.
 The moment Standish was gone. Grace collapsed. She sank down be- side the desk table. helpless to move or think. Everything was in black whirl The hour which for years she had dreaded; for which she had so long and so carefully prepared
 She moved convulsively. The motion. brought her hand in contact with the