Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-02-17

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but signed our passport TO other worlds
the twig falls at our feet. The eound
OF 1t is scarcely audible, but slight as
1t is We hear II, turn. and the spell OF
self-absorption and abandon is broken.
We lose no time In climbing back to
terra f1rma
So Reynolds. possessed with the
idea of e-self-destruction
IL accompanying to bring to JUS
tice the man he blamed for all his
had just come, grew stronger in his
purpose, more fascinated in the pur-
port of 1t, with every word that Brand
used to dissuade him. Even Brands
reiterated threat concerning Jane had
lost its power, but the sound Of her
voice came to him like the sound Of
the falling twig. II restored not the
instinct of self-preservation for self
alone, but the sense of duty to her.
He, the one who had sworn to protect
her, was the only one who could pro.
tect her now. II he failed her and
Modified the sting of conscience by
confession he would only shift the bur
den Of his sin from his own shoulders
to others not meant to bear 1t. Invol-
UNFAIRLY his arm closed about her and
he drew her to him. In the mingled
look OF love, pity and protection he
gave her Brand read the sign of sur
render and tried to cl:nch his cause.
You've got to think of your wife,
Reynolds Brand urged, even II you
don't of yourself. The things done
you can't undo 1t. Besides. we believed
the dam was strong enough. Only the
most extraordinary conditions brought
about Its collapse That lets US out.
II we act sensibly we'll come good and
clear"
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, "and 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 Cod" the millionaire exclaimed
impatiently. You'd preach your life
aud liberty away-and that Of your
wife, too-for the sake Of hearing your
self talk. Men-women-and- children
"a handful of Dagoes and Polacks
that the worlds better off without. A
few brats who couldn't fill useful po-
sition II they did live to be men and
women. How do you know 1t wasn't
there, | didn't But that's enough. |
want to know what you're going to
do? If you're going to talk l want to
get ready for you. Now come on. Do |
you 60 or do you lay DOWN."
Reynolds surveyed him coolly.
"Ill 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 a minute or two"
When they had gone he led her to
the divan.
Just second, dear" he said ten
derby. ''I'll be right back and then
we'll 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.
1t was a news association inquiring
for Reynolds.
"Hes-not in," she faltered. mo,
don't know Just when he will be-. Co
ing away? No. think not You will
have to see him yourself. In the
Yes, that will be a good
time. Not tonight. That's all can
say. Good-by."
She hung up the receiver with
little gasp Of relief. 1t had not been
Is bad as she had expected. But 1t
was only matter Of time. She knew
that. Already the newspapers had
him with the catastrophe
md there would be no end to the in
erviewing and dreadful questioning.
Bob returned and sat beside her He
lad heard part Of her talk over the
,hone and surmised the meaning Of 1t,
tut he made no mention Of 1t.
Jane. DEAR" he said softly as he
ook her hand. you have never been
orry 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
ness Of it-of our life. mean, for no !
nan could have asked for q better
wife. l have always loved you more
han anything in life. Perhaps-per- ]
APPS" he continued haltingly, Il have {
owed you too much-that Is, too much
or your own good. That is not impos- s
l. -