Middletown transcript., 1914-12-26


But hope of immunity such as could
be bought with Brands power was not
Reynolds goal and the millionaire's
expatiations on the possibility OF It
served only to irritate him the more.
Money and lawyers and pull won't
square murder, Brand" he said con-
temptuously, land that's just what we
committed. We have killed men, wom-
en- and children for few dirty dollars
to which we had no right and some
one has got to pay"
my God!" the millionaire exclaimed
impatiently You'd preach your life
and liberty away-and that Of your
wife, too-for the sake Of hearing your
self talk. Observation-Disclosures
"a handful of Dagoes and Polacks
that the worlds better of without. A
few brats who couldn't fill useful po-
sition If they did live to be men and
women. How do you know it wasn't
an act OF God? He brought the water
there, l didn't. But that's enough.
want to know what you're going to
do? If you're going to talk want to
get ready for you. Now come on. Do
you go or do you lay DOWN."
Reynolds surveyed him coolly.
"I'n let you know, Brand, just what
I'm going to do. Before you leave
here tonight you'll have no doubt about
your course, but now l want a word
with my wife-alone. If you don't
mind, you and Dick step up to my den
and I'll let you know when I'm ready
It'll be only minute or two"
When they had gone he led her to
the divan.
Just a second, DEAR" he said ten
derly. "I'n be right back and then
Wen talk it over for the final solu-
ton"
AS he passed into the adjoining
room the telephone rang and Jane
went to 1t apprehensive of the worst.
It was a news association inquiring
for Reynolds.
"Hes-not in," she faltered. mo,
/ don't know just when he will be. Go
ing away? No. think not. You will
have to see him yourself. In the
morning? Yes, that will be a good
time. Not tonight. That's all can
say. Good-by."
She hung up the receiver with a
little gasp Of relief. 1t had not been
as bad as she had expected. But 1t
was only a matter of time. She knew
that. Already the newspapers had
connected him with the catastrophe
and there would be no end to the in
terviewing and dreadful questioning.
Bob returned and sat beside her. He
had heard a part of her talk over the
phone and surmised the meaning Of 1t.
| but he made no mention Of 1t.
Jane, DEAR" he said softly as he
took her hand, you have never been
sorry you married me. have you?"
why, Bob" she replied startled,
what are you saying? You know l
haven't and never could be-"
But. darling, have made an awful
mess Of it-of our life, mean, for no
man could have asked for a better
wife. have always loved you more
than anything in life. Perhaps-per-
haps," he continued haltingly, Il have
loved you too much-that is, too much
for your own good. That is not impOs-
sible, you know Jane. Love is always
first, but there are times when we
must temper 1t with reason and re-
solve. You must understand me,
sweetheart, for after this l want you
to know and feel that everything I've
done and everything do is for you"
Some strange note of fatality in his
low tones alarmed her. Her startled
eyes searched his and she pressed
closer to his side.
why, even when you had taken a
stand with Brand and l felt $3.50
much on the outside" he went on. "a
loved you as l never thought 1t was
possible for a man to love a woman"
81 never felt that way, dear" she
interrupted. Il mean, that was stand
ing with Brand. Bob, you know that
don't you?" she cried appealingly. and
the tears Of self-condemnation started
from her eyes while she begged-al
most demanded the extenuation that
she knew was not rightfully hers.
Yes, l know it," he answered gently
And you see, sweetheart, was right
when l said was to blame. Just me
No one else. l have been at fault since
the first day back there in the bunga
low when you and Mrs. Collins went
to the matinee and you came home
with the new hat. l told you it didn't
matter about the butcher-that every
thing would come out all right, Since
that day we have been piliDg up these
things-these crimes, dearest-yes
crimes. knew it all the time. And
knew 1t as well as l knew that
loved you, that sometime the day
would come when we-when I-woulC
have to settle. But kept you in igno
rance. was afraid to spoil your hap
piness, afraid to tax your love. and
let things go on until now, out there
in that valley, whole families-just al
dear to each other as you and Jus
as important in the world as you anC
|, are gone-wiped out promised Il
protect you and all have done is t
lead you bfindly from every decen
thought"
mo, no, Bob" she interrupted vehe
mently. 'Tt was who did the leading
not you. You simply followed me-"
"But when a man does that, Jane, /
is he who must pay the penalty, /
there is one to pay. He should b,
stronger-the thing that she shoul'
lean upon. It has always been tha
way. Her sin is his sin, If he make
no protest when he knows, or make
no determined effort to right things
and have not done that. Jane, dear
est, I'VE decided one thing. The tim
has not come, nor will 1t ever come