Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-03-17


doggedly:
"Yes, it's true. That's the word for
it-blackmail, and I'm going to have
| It,"
She drew back and looked at him
through her tears, startled and afraid.
Then she glanced involuntarily at the
table.
"Oh, don't think I'm drunk" he said
| stubbornly. Il know what I've done
and what I'm going to do now"
But you can't do 1t; you shant,"
she exclaimed. Brand doesn't owe
you money. If you've lost yours we
will have to suffer for it, not Brand"
Her words acted as an irritant to
the sore.
80, it's Brand, not me-" he an
swered bitterly. That's what want
ed to know; to know how l stand be-
tween you two. You mapped out my
line of march once, but not again.
Jane, If you side with Brand against
me this time we are done, that's all.
We don't seem to do team work very
we'll and can go it alone"
His tone, as cold and hard as his
words. truly frightened her.
"Bob-Bob, DEAR" she cried, don't
talk to me that way. You're not your
SELF You don't know what you're say
ing"
II know exactly what I'm saying"
he answered, land mean every word
Of it. Brand fooled you once and he's
fooled you again, but he'll find
haven't been so dull a pupil as he
thinks. His game is all right II it's
played to a finish, and that is just
what / am going to do-play 1t to the
end. He used me when l was useful
and thought when the right time came
he could throw me aside. was weak
enough to get into his meshes and
I'm strong enough to get out. He found
stock and trade in your credulity over
on Staten Island and he thinks he can
rely on you again. Did he tell you
how lost my money-the very last of
it?"
III ehO ctoSh hioi hOt.
Eyes, but did he tell you invested
on the advice of his broker? Did he
tell you that he won a lot of money on
the same stock? Did he?" he repeated
as she sat staring at him in silence.
He didn't say anything about him
self, Bob"
mo. of course, he didn't. He didn't
say anything about you, either, sup
pose. He didn't tell you that when he
framed it up with you for us to take
that money from the cement deal that
we we're committing felony and that |
you were party to the crime as much |
as any Of US. He didn't tell you that |
Il talked and we went to Jail that you |
would go along with US. He didn't say |
that, did he?"
Reynolds paced the floor and his
voice rose to almost hysterical pitch.
God" he exclaimed, as he stopped
md faced her, II almost believe he's
convinced you that I'm a criminal and
les saint with a double ringed
lalo!"
She had reached the end Of her en-
lurance and stood up Quivering with
You have no right to abuse me this
vay," che cried, land won't stand 1t.
lou know that l only tried to find a
lace for Us among decent people and
i've you the opportunity to provide
t."
opportunity? he sneered Eyes.
pportunity for plain, ordinary thiev-
ng. That's what 1t was, and l did 1t
or you. Now there are two alterna-
ives, Jane. One to go on, and the
Their to give up. II you want to 60 on
m going to have my way this time
nd Brand will have to deal with me
nd answer to me, not to you. I'm not
ding to let him of with $4,000 by
Quaring matters at the bank, and 60
ut into the world penniless. l am 60
lg to clear my conscience and make
clean breast OF 1t or am going to
lake it plain blackmail and make it :
ay. Either we're crooks or we're
onest and If we've made up our minds
, be crooks let's be good ones" :
Bob" she cried again, backing
way while he followed. Her back ,
as to the wall now and she crouched
most as II she expected a blow.
Eyes, crooks!" he persisted in an. 6
yer to her look Of horror. That's 8
hat said. Crooks!" Z
His hand was extended, fist doubled. q
ut Of a sudden it dropped to his ,
de. Her look of appeal-of abject I
rror-pierced the mists of his cloud r
brain. He stopped. limp and help.
IS. h
well, what-about it-Jane? I've =
,plained it ALL guess" J
"You have" she answered in halt r
z tones. "You have explained II
and you should have
me so six years ago, before married
w." n
She staggered toward the door to | =