Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-01-28
CHAPTER sxII.-contInued.

as the maCnlne rushed Oh W uua.
&-'It's got the brains Of all the men, that
are in ii. And none of the heart. It
burns up everything that gets In its
path. And now 1t needs woman's
good name and happiness to keep It
in fuel It's only square that you
should be the Woman. It's let them
see how other people have felt when
4 the machine crushed them-how my
father felt when he came home that
horrible day, with death written In his
eyes, and said to my mother: Molly.
I'm done for. Blake and his machine
have got mel That's what he said.
And he was innocent.
But - " fi5t .f5
8ls THAT'S why was going to let them
u get you, and break Jim Blake's vile
Il old heart, It's the chance I've been
waiting for, five endless years. To-
might saw Gods justice begin to
move. I saw that Blake and his
crowd were working out their own
damnation without any help from me.
And thenOh, I'm fool! then, all
at once / forgot the justice part OF It.
/ And all sI could see was that gang
of strong, cruel, clever men were fight
ing one unhappy woman. III guess
that's why I'VE stayed here, even after
you called me a blackmailer."
n mi s.But your past's no business Of
mine, |" she went on more quietly.
Just came to give you q warning. Take
ut or leave. It's up to you" S4ss
II don't want your warning" said
Grace sullenly. 6 ,S s333
III Then I can't help YOU.
IT have not asked your help.
.s$ .s .Just as you like" sighed Wanda.
s"But the nets closing tight around
you. Mrs. Robertson. And II you
count on Mr.. standish to help you or
to deny anything. you're making big
3 mistake. The minute he finds himself
cornered, he'll throw you over to save
his own chances, oh. won't you drop
the blum, once land for ALT Won't
you let me-" 34is
You have had my answer. There
is not one single fact on which to
/ base this-this attack. II you try to
drag my name into any unsavory scan
i DIAL. SO much the worse for you. II
/ you dare make use OF my name-even
4 indirectly-in connection with this
case, shall 60 to my father. at once
and tell him-tell him that III, s5:. s5
2;a"Tell him what. Mrs, Robertson :"
That you tried to get me to help
you marry Tom. And that when ! re-
fused you threatened to blackmail me
4 Ito brand me as the Woman he's been
49, +
hunting for. T. ss
AZ purring OF the buzzer interrupted
!; her. Il. 4, :
Eve will put 1t to the test now!"
4 Grace declared. turning toward the
door. There are my husband and IA.
Their outside. Afraid am I? Sick
with fear?' You shall see. You shall
tell them, here and now, that I'm the
Woman they're trying to find. Tell
them and see what will happen. II
you haven't the courage to, tell them
all repeat your charges myself"
Don't! Don't!" implored Wanda.
as the buzzer sounded once more.
Don't try it, Mrs. Robertson! You
can't carry it through. I tell you. They
have too much proof" s
They won't apply their proof to me
- 1t is you who will need proofs. !" I5s
very good!" cried Wanda. in sud
den anger. go ahead and do It. MY
conscience is clear. wanted to help
you and got insulted for my pains,
+ Go as far as you like. I'm through. 4
sYou are not through yet, denied
Grace furiously. "Stay where you are!
Wen settle this once and for all"
She threw open the door. 6tandish
stood waiting on the threshold.