Lower coast gazette., 1913-11-01

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posed to knew anything about It. Sup
pcse-suppose | can't stop III"
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 pro
vent my certain victory. And they
must not. At the first sign inst they
mean to do so / shall have to 30 to
your father and tell hin who the Wom-
an is! would rather be shot. But"
"Oh," she burst out Historically,
you wouldnt-you couldn't-do that!
You're not SO unutterably low as to
damn the future OF a woman who once
trusted you-who-"
I've told you" he replied, that |
am no. in this fight as q man, but as q
leader. It is one woman's good name
against the welfare Of q nation. I
haven't the right to protect you.
Grace. / won't let my sin as a man de-
feat the great principles ! 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 q woman
pay your debts-and pay them with
everything that makes her life worth
living. In all these years I've felt that
If q rcoment like this should ever
come, l 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 q
duty to the people. A coward can al
ways find an excuse. Oh, | could car
ry 1t all through safely, even now, II
only you were a man instead Of q block
OF stone"
ut is too late now for reproaches,"
he answered. "For years I've been
building up q fighting strength-wait-
ing for the peoples chance of victory.
And that chance has come. II they
! lose, it shall not be because of their
leader. r."
IA woman's reputation is worth
more than any mere political victory
"Then," he commanded, tell yosr
father and husband SO. They r pre-.
pairing to wreck a woman's life to save
themselves. No code of honor stands
in their way. TREY are out to win.
To win at any price. And It is only
fair that the filthy methods they use
! should come back on their own heads
II some one must be betrayed, why
should it be the innocent? Why not
the Woman who is-guilty??
Matt she walled, her defense all
swept away, in a breath, IF you let
! my husband know-do you realize
! what it would mean? It would mean
a separation-a divorce-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 begged. There is one
thing you can do-one thing you mus,
do. 1t won't endanger your success
My father and Mark and some other
men are coming here for q conference
I want you to meet them and to urge
them not to use this horrible story
at would be useless" ne objected
though moved in spite OF himself. By
/ her absolute brohenness. But I'll try
/ promise you. I'll try my best. Ant
~ win guard your secret as long as !
AL be guarded. Until there is nj
other possible chance. Then--well
/ this story must be stopped. That II
all. 1t is a waste Of words Tor me t.
say how sorry | am to have made yos
80 unhappy tonight. Goodby
He was entirely master OF himself
row. cold. impersonal, phlegtaatic. NJ
che seeing him take his leafe at th'
1-zy 49, ~ ~. 81. - ~ a. ry,t