The citizen., 1914-10-30

stay"
Brand looked up with something
much akin to sneer.
''Is that necessary" he asked.
mot necessary, Mr.. Brand, but ad
visable," snapped Bob. Our business
is intrinsically between us, but 1t may
be we'll to have a witness"
In this little domestic drama Rey
nolds had quickly assumed the role
OF master, but he had reckoned with
out the mistress. In reality It was
Jane who had sailed what now seemed
an ill-fated ship. II 1t was on the rocks
she would stay by the wheel. She ad
vanced to her husband. She was quite
cool.
Bob" she said. "Mr. Brand is here
at my invitation. This business you
speak Of is quite as much my con
cern as yours. II Mr.. Brand ia to
stay I will stay. too."
She turned to Brand.
'I'm sure you're willing for Mrs. Col
Inns to use the car while and you
won't mind II she picks up q neigh
Dor or two?"
mot at ALL" he assented.
'Will you tell the chauffeur"
THAT isn't necessary" he answered
He'll understand"
James words offered a means oi
escape II he wanted 1t, but Brand
wasn't looking for escape. Mrs. Col
Inns adopted her friends solution oil
one difficulty and withdrew. Brand
faced Reynolds.
We'll, what's the business?"
Il don't think that you need me,
Dick interrupted This seems to be
between you three"
mo, stay, Dick!" Reynolds insisted
You're the only friend l have here. d
"Bob!" his wife exclaimed. "You
don't know what you're saying"
Il mean everything said and ev.
erything I'm going to say. We1l come
to your side of it later. First want
to hear from this man."
That's easy" Brand responded,
I'm here by appointment to meet
your wife. You're here with three wit.
nesses. At first thought knew why
you and your friend were here, but
don't think so now. II Mrs. Reynolds
hasn't told you the purpose Of my visit,
you'd better learn from her. Do you
take me for common philanderer?
II you do you're crazier than l thought
you. But I'm not here to argue. II
Mrs. Reynolds doesn't explain, will.
The belligerent attitude Of the mil.
lionaire maddened Bob almost beyond
control. With doubled fists he ad.
vanced and shook one within an inch
OF Brands face.
''Explain!" he shouted, what Is
there for her to explain. don't want
any explanation from her; l want 1t
from you. You may have fooled her
with your devilish clever pretenses.
but you can't fool me. II there's any
other way for me to figure this out
than Just one way, God knows
need to know"
Bob, don't be foolish" Jane warned.
You might go too far even with me.
This isn't the first time Mr.. Brand
has been here. 1t was not intended
to be his last. l have schemed and
planned and connived, but you might
misinterpret my motive and wouldn't
advise you to do that"
He turned on her now, his patience
exhausted.
You poor little idiot" he cried. ARE
you still defending him, or are you
still playing the game? When wife
deceives her husband there's only one
answer and that's my answer to you"
Brand, standing erect and with a
bored look throughout, replied for her.
He looked at Jane.
He knows that isn't true" he said.
HE can see it in your face and l
can see that he sees it,"
But Jane, with Redeemed cheeks and
flashing eyes, was not satisfied with
this paciflcation She faced her hus.
band.
$50 that is the measure of your
ideals!" she said with scorn. That
gives me your character right In the
palm Of my hand. The first thing that
even looks questionable, you turn on
me like a woman Of the streets. Mr.
Brand" she added, turning to the mil
lionaire. you had better CO."
mo, he won't" her husband shout
ed. He'll stay right here. l want to
know something from him before he
leaves this house-if he does leave it.
and I want to know it now"