The Carlisle independent., 1915-03-18

to others not meant to bear it. Invol untarily 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 clinch his cause.
 You've got to think of your wife, Reynolds Brand urged, even if you don't of yourself The things done you cant undo it. Besides, we believed the dam was strong enough. Only the most extraordinary conditions brought about its collapse. That lets us out. If 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 1t 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 HdS 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 en-and-children a handful of Dagoes and Polacks that the worlds better off 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, I didn't But that's enough. I want to know what you're going to do? If you're going to talk I want to get ready for you. Now come on. Do you go or do you lay down."
 Reynolds surveyed him coolly.
 I'll 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 I want 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'll be right back and then we'll talk it over for the final solu- tion"
 As he passed into the adjoining room the telephone rang and Jane went to it apprehensive of the worst. It was news association inquiring for Reynolds.
 "He's-not in," she faltered No, I 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 I can say. Good-by."
 She hung up the receiver with a little gasp of relief. It 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 part of her talk over the phone and suTmised tho meaning cs .:, but he made no mention of it.
 Jane, dear" he said softly as he took her hand, you have never been sorry you married me, have your"
 Why, Bob," she replied startled, what are you saying? You know I 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. I have always loved you more than anything in life. Perhaps-per- haps," he continued haltingly, q 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 1 want you to know and feel that everything I've done and everything I 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 stand with Brand and I felt so-so much on the outside" he went on, q loved you as I never thought it was possible for man to love woman"
 T never felt that way. dear" she interrupted T 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, know 1t, he answered gently. And you see, sweetheart, was right when l said I 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. I 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. I knew 1t all the time. And