News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-11-25

l
| Eyes, l know It," he answered gently.
"And you see, sweetheart, was right
when | said was to blame. Just me.
| No one else. 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. told you 1T didn't
matter about the butcher-that every
thing would come out all right. Since
that day we have been piling up these
things-these crimes, dearest-yes,
crimes. | knew it all the time. And
loved you, that sometime the day
would come when we-when would
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 as
dear to each other as you and Just
as important in the world as you and
/, are gone-wiped out. promised to
protect you and all l have done is to
lead you blindly from every decent
Thought"
"No, no, Cob" she interrupted vehe-
mently. 1T was who did the leading,
not you. You simply followed me-"
"But when a man does that, Jane, it
is he who must pay the penalty, if
there is one to pay. He should be
strongcr-the thing that she should
lean upon. 1t has always been that
way. Her sin is his sin, if he makes
no protest when he knows, or makes
no determined effort to right things,
and have not done that. Jane, dear
est, I'VE decided one thing. The time
has not come, nor will it ever come,
when it VIII be right for you to ruin
the rest of your life up" He stumbled
for word, for he could not bear to
use the real cne-erison. "You must
be shared the misery and degradation
of that horrible thing and I've found
way out CT it fer both Of US. am go
ing to take it and IN time you will be-
lievc it wcs the only way. But al
ways" he HurmuTeG. pressing her to
him. mo matter where we are well
always low each other-always."
"No matter where we are?" she
echoed answering his look that
seemed to penetrate her very soul.
"No matter where we are? What do
you mean, Bob? Are you going away
and leave me?"
Eyes, darling For O while at least,
we must separate. l cannot bear to
have you a fugitive, chasing about all
corners CT the earth with the fear of
guilt in your heart and the dread of
capture ever at your door. You must
have liberty-a way to live your life
out in all the sweetness that must
come into it after all this suffering.
And you will know that l am always
with you, loving you and guarding you
the best way God will let me"
The infinite tenderness of his voice
now unnerved her completely so that,
though she saw or felt some dire omen
in his words, she was helpless to pro-
test them. She sank into his arms and
they were clasped together in one
long passionate embrace.
The lights of the room danced be-
fore her eyes as their lips parted. She
could scarcely see him as he gently
drew away from her and stepped light
ly toward the telephone He called a
number that was strange and mean
ingless to her.
Hello" he said, ''police headquar-
ters? Connect me with the Ninety
seventh, please" A pause Hello!
Ninety-seventh Send man to four
two-six Marion road Yes, imme-
diately. It's a suicide"
For an instant she was stunned, but
as she sprang toward him her cry of
horror mingled with the report of a
pistol She caught his arm as he fell |
and they sank to the floor together. |
But she was too late. Reynolds had |
paid the price and paid alone.
Dick cleared the half dozen steps |
from the first landing at a bound and |
Brand came stumbling after him. The
reporter knelt quickly beside them.
us he gomez" the millionaire painted |
The reporters eyes swept over the |
lifeless body of his friend and his hand |
went lightly to his heart.
"Yes, he's dead" he answered soft
ly. Il think he's been planning it a
long time and he knew just how"
1T was the best thing he could do"
Brand said coolly. 1.-THE best for him.
self, for her-and-for me. Suicides |
a confession, and that lets us out I'm
going to get out Of here, Meade. Take
care of the police and the papers"
Brand stepped quickly to the door
and passed out into the night.
A low moan, the cry of broken
soul. announced returning conscious
ness to the stricken wife.
Jane" whispered Dick as he bent
over her and lifted her gently to her
,eet, shall l telephone?"
NO" she answered hoarsely. "He
lid
ITO whom?"
''The police
"Then they'll be here at once" He
helped her back to the divan. Listen,
|