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

he is entitled to half OF the S200,UOC
that was saved on the cement FOR The
dam and that | have given him only
forty thousand. He demaads the other
sixty or VOWS he'll tell everything
Now is that blackmail, or is it not?"
Jane had no reply. The sudden
force Of Brands attack had left her in
ert.
I'm not talking this way to you OF
my own volition," he said. "Your hus
band desired that tell you everything
everything that partner should
know. I am not through, Mrs. Rey.
nolds, / want to state my side of it.
Here it is: For your sake, and for
yours alone, and because of Mrs.
Brands fondness for you, I'll square
this thing at the bank. But that is all
l will do gave your husband $40,-
600 in good faith and he accepted it
as such. Perhaps if he had asked for
one hundred thousand at that time, /
would have granted the request, but
not now when he demands it under
duress. You can tell him that. guess
that's your end of the partnership, ac-
cording to his view. That is all. We
are losing good Sleep"
"Then won't keep you any longer"
answered Jane with dignity. Some
thing of her old mastery and deter
mination had returned. She arose and
held out her hand. She shuddered
slightly as he took it, and regretted
that she offered it. The man who had
branded her husband as a criminal,
only smiled and stepped toward the
door.
81 am sorry" he said understanding
ly IS he turned
Reynolds appeared suddenly on a
landing of the stairs.
Good night, Brand" he said.
Through with your chat?"
quite through, think"
I'll see you in the morning, then"
The millionaire looked up, his hand
on the knob of the door.
Eyes, you can see me in the morn
ing" he answered, land your wife can
tell you for just how much. Good
night"
He slammed the door behind him as
he went out and Bob moved slowly
down the stairs and crossed to his
wife's side.
Jane" he began, you may think it
strange that l left you with Brand at
this time to hear from him the things
he no doubt has told you. Don't con-
denim me too quickly. Our talk this
evening was not a success. | have
laid my cards on the table and he has
pretended to. But he doesn't play the
game that way. He has said one thing
to me and has probably said another
to you and want to know what he
has tc:d YOU"
"Eut, Bob" she answered-and she
ooked at him through mist dimmed
eyes-"why has he told me anything? |
Why, if thi2-this terrible thing has
apDened-haven't you told me or
warned me? Brand said you are
'uined-"
81 am" he broke in quickly. "He told
you the truth there, but did he tell you
low am going to remedy it?"
'He said you had asked for more
Oh, Bob" she
ried, clutching at his hands, sit isn't
rue, is it?'
He pressed her hands, but answered
Eyes, it's true. That's the word for
t-blackmail,, and I'm going to have
t."
She drew back and looked at him
through her tears, startled and afraid.
hen she glanced involuntarily at the
able.
ooh, don't think I'm drunk" he said
Il know what I've done
nd what I'm going to do now"
But you can't do it; you shan't,"
he exclaimed. Brand doesn't owe
GU money. If you've lost yours we
ill have to suffer for it, not Brand"
Her words acted as an irritant to
ne sore.
so, it's Brand, not me-" he an
wered bitterly. That's what l want
d to know; to know how l stand be-
veen you two. You mapped out my
ne of march once, but not again.
ane, if you side with Brand against
Ie this time we are done, that's all.
7e don't seem to do team work very
ell and / can go it alone"
His tone, as cold and hard as his
ords, truly frightened her.
"Bob-Bob, DEAR" she cried, don't
Xix to me that way. You're not your
IF. You don't know what you're say
Ig-"
81 know exactly what I'm saying"
g answered, land l mean every word
it. Brand fooled you once and he's
'oled you again, but he'll find |
avent been so dull a pupil as he
,inks. His game is all right if it's
layed to a finish, and that is just
hat | am going to do-play it to the
nd. He used me when | was useful
nd thought when the right time came
e could throw me aside. was weak
nough to get into his meshes and
m strong enough to get out. He found
LOck and trade in your credulitv over |