The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-08-22
pose-suppose can't stop itT'

pose-suppose 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 1t to pre-
vent my certain victory. And they
must not. At the first sign that they
your father and tell him who the Won
an Isl would rather be shot But"
oh" she burst out Historically
you wouldn't-you couldn't-do that!
You're not 30 unutterably low as to
iamn the future Of woman who once
trusted you-who-"
I've told you" he replied, that
am not in this fight as a man, but as a
leader. It Is one woman's good name
against the welfare of a nation. /
haven't the right to protect you,
Grace. won't let my sin as a 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 a woman
pay your debts-and pay them with
everything that makes her life worth
living. In all these years I've felt that
II a moment like this should ever
come, could rely on your honor. I've
always believed you would at least
what Is the old phrase ?-'perjure
yourself like a gentleman It's easy
enough to save yourself and call it
iuty to the people A coward can al
ways find an excuse. Oh, could car
ry 1t all through safely, even now, IL
only you were a man instead Of block
Of stone"
1T is too late now for reproaches,"
he answered. For years I've been
building up a fighting strength-wait.
ing for the peoples chance of victory.
And that chance has come. If they
lose, it shall not be because Of their
leader. /"
"A woman's reputation is worth
more than any mere political victory"
Then" he commanded, tell your
father and husband so. They are pre-
pairing to wreck woman's life to save
themselves. No code of honor stands
in their way. They, are out to win.
DO win at any price. And 1t is only
fair that the filthy methods they use
should come back on their own heads.
II some one must be betrayed, why
should II be the innocent? Why not
the Woman who is--guilty?"
Matt" she walled, her defense all !
swept away. in a breath, IF you let
nay husband know-do you realize
what 1t would mean7 II would mean
q separation-a divosce-disgrace-
everlasting disgrace! Am to pay
that price for your victory?"
THAT is for you to decide. simply
warn you not to let your husband and
father move against me on these lines,
That is all. Good-by. will come
back later to see Mr.. Blake"
Watt" she beEssd, There ID one
thing you can do-one thing You must
do. 1t won't endanger your success.
My fatner and Mark and some other |
men are coming here for a conference
want you to meet them and to urge
them not to use this horrible story"
ut would be useless" he objected,
though moved in spite of himself, by
her absolute brokenness. But I'll try
/ promise you. I'll try my best. And
| will guard your secret as long as IL
can be guarded. Until there is no
other possible chance. Then-well,
this story must be stopped. That lie
all 1t is a waste of words for me to
say how sorry l am to have made you
SO unhappy tonight. Good-by." i
He was entirely master of himself
now: cold, impersonal, phlegmatic No
one seeing him take his leave at the
door Of the Robertson suit wool
ave guessed MIS- brain contained q
olitary thought beyond the possible
INNING Of move in his cherished
Official game.
The moment Standish was gone,
trace collapsed. She sank down be-
fde the desk table, helpless to move
r think. Everything was In black
'hirl. The hour which for years she
ad dreaded; for which she had 80
ong and SO carefully prepared.
She moved convulsively. The motion.
rought her hand in contact with the
old metal of the telephone on the
able before her. And with the touch
anne inspiration. Catching up the in
trumept she unlocked the receiver.
Miss Kelly she called tremulously.
e that your You know my voice.
E Il.