The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-10-16


way out Of all this. have taken you
at your word and kept silent. but you
know what l meant"
A frown passed over his face; a look
not Of anger, but Of pain.
You mean Brandt" he asked.
Yes"
He dropped her hand. Unconscious
ly his whole form stiffened. He got up
from the window seat and stood look
ing down at her.
Yes, there Is way out" he an
swered, but that is not the way"
Suddenly he caught her up in his
arms.
Jane" he cried, Il never want to
speak harshly to you in my life l did
once and have regretted it more than
once. But you must not talk that way.
1t Is not that l wish to dominate, or
love you one bit less for your per
sistency. In most matters you could
make me do anything you wished. Not
make me, for you know it is my Joy to
please you. But in this you hurt me;
not because you oppose me, but be-
cause it is you. You are good and you
are honest and if you persevere In this
1t is because you do not understand
That is what hurts; that cannot
make you understand; the blandish-
ments and wiles Of q pure crook
should not outweigh the counsel Of
your husband"
His words hurt her again Instinc-
lively she recoiled as If they stood at
opposite Drinks of some chasm and she
feared to take the leap. But Jane was
In the fight to stay this time In her
mind 1t was Bob who was blinded and
not her. She was ready to receive the
blow and parry 1t, but she was deter
mined to return balm for stringent
and do battle In a woman's way.
But, Bob" she said, as she stepped
to him and put her arm around his
shoulder; ARE we so unequal either
mentally or morally? Isn't 1t possible
that you are mistaken as we'll as 2"
mo, we are not unequal, dear" he
answered, and it is as possible for me
to be wrong as you. But you are
arguing from determined conviction
rather than true one. l do not mean
you are deliberately deceiving your
self, but you have permitted yourself
to be deceived"
He thrust her out at arms length
and looked fixedly into her eyes.
'Oh. Jane" he cried. why do you
say these things? Why do you cheap
en- yourself by defending dishonesty?
Business? Rot! It's theft A crook
Is a crook and a crooked deal Is
crooked. You can't make anything
else out Of 1t. What right have you
or l to $4,000 we haven't earned?
None. There's the answer and Demos
themes himself could not alter it with
words"
Still Jane persisted. Still she sub
dued q spirit that rebelled.
I'm not asking Demosthenes to
alter it, Bob. I'm not asking you to
submit to anyone's influence, but
mine. You know, whatever you may
think of Brand, that l have no ones
interest at heart but yours and mine.
Do you remember the words of our
courtship? We'll be partners That's
what we said Partners. Is 1t GUS
tomary for one partner to say I will
have this or I will do that or Is 1t
usual for them to unite one way or
the other and say 'We?' l have tried
to uphold my end of the bargain. What
we have done we have done together.
We haven't had much. Don't" she
added quickly as she saw him start as
II from a blow "Don't-think that l
am holding that up to you. You are
an honest, able man and any woman
could be proud to call you husband.
What this world has given you, or
what you have taken from it, l have
been content to share. That Is all /
ask now; to share what you can take"
THE right word" he interrupted
quickly. Take; that is 1t; take:
steal! Do you hear me, Jane? Steal!"
He brought his fist down squarely ON
the table, then checked himself as II
ashamed Of vehemence.
"Oh, what's the use?" he said. He
bent toward her again. but without the
touch or caress of moment before.
Jane" he ended, and his voice was
low and sorrowful 'Pm~not a thief
and not even you can make me one"
There was the cold finality In his
voice that meant mo more" She saw
it: saw that she had lost again. The
venom of money lust had run deep in
Jane, or In that moment she would
have seen and felt the man Of him.
But she turned away. The blood
mounted to her cheeks. Her answer.
though. was as stolid as his and 1t
was not wrung from her with pain.
"All right, Bob. We will let 1t drop.
But mark my words" she turned to
him with fearless. fiery eyes-"Bob.
you will remember this day!"
Poor Jane! She was right; he
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