Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-01-26

should be called upon to tell TO the
world the story of her past. What
agonies it had cost her to determine
thus to lay bare her soul no one but
herself knew
But the courtroom looked on and
listened and applauded in its heart.
and, since such matters are made pub
lie records and cannot be concealed
the world soon learned through the
public print how May Strickland had
laid herself voluntarily on the altar
for her husband. She was to be made
the text of sermons delivered from the
pulpit and of sermons preached in
print But of all her publicity she was
ObliviOus. In her every word and ges-
ture were to be seen the wish and the
determination to help Robert at any
cost to herself.
There was intense silence in the
courtroom when she finished telling the
story of her girIhoOd's error. The hus
band who had welded her, who had
cherished her love for years, who had
never before heard the terrible tale,
who was the father of her dearly be-
loved little daughter, sat in the prison
er's chair, his eyes fixed on the floor,
throughout the greater part of her re-
citaI.
1t was impossible to tell what were
his emotions. But when she carried on
her story to the present day those near
him could tell by the nervous clinching
and unclinching of his sound left hand
how deeply moved he was. The right
arm still hung in sling.
She went on with her story:
''I don't know what happened then
| must have tainted. But the sound of
that automobile went through my head
for weeks. Soon after father died.
''Then met Robert. my husband
When | saw that he loved me ! tried
to tell him abOut-about that terrible
experience. but | was afraid OF de-
strOying his happiness. He would not
have understood. Men don't under
stand. And loved him so! He seem.
ed to need me and TO need his belief
in me.
Il came to realize l must never tell
him. He was all that life meant to
me. l wanted to devote my every
thought to shielding him from the
slightest unhappiness. Even though
he was a strong man, he seemed to
need my protection. Two years later
we were married. | had begun to
think of that awful experience only az
a terrible dream.
Then my baby. Doris, came. And /
had two to watch over. Their happl-
ness was my one aim in life. For nine
years we three were SO happy together.
Then one day, about year ago, Rob
ert mentioned his name. He had met
that man somewhere. | hoped that
their acquaintance was only passing
but they became more friendly. Rob
ert spoke several times of having Us
meet, but for a year l avoided that
meeting.
Meanwhile Roberts business trOu-
bles had begun. He-that man-len!
him money and helped him in other
ways. With their growing friendship
| dreaded the wrecking of all our hap
piness Then a business opportunity
arose which would take us from New
York. / urged Robert to accept this.
and he finally decided to. 1t seemed
as if some power were guarding the
happiness of my husband and baby.
1T was a Monday when Robert left
for Cleveland Tuesday night he came
= 81. hn
then. He recognized me and threat
ened to tell Robert everything. He
tainted me, saying that Robert would
believe anything against me because
of my long silence.
HE demanded that | come TO his
house at Long Branch the next day. }
begged for mercy. | went down en-
my knees to him. begged and begged
and begged. He wouldn't even listen
to me. He said he would make Il pan
per of Robert
Il knew that the $4,000 was due. and
| didn't think that Robert could pay
| was mad with fear didn't care
for myself. only thought of Robert
and my baby. Their happiness was
in my hands. | was ready to pay any
price TO shield them. If by dying !
could have saved them | would have
died willingly. 1t would have been
much easier But there was only one
way. and had to save them. But
Robert found out, and all my years Of
planning were shattered.
Last evening. rs | lay half con
SciOus in the hospital, heard the
nurses discussing the testimony of a
little girl. | learned it was my little
girl and that my husband was on
trial for murder and burglary. They
didn't want to let me go. but | made
them understand that my husband
might be put to death unless the truth
were known.
I've told you the truth. Can't you
understand? He didn't go there TO
rob. He didn't go there for the mon
ey. Roberts not a thief. / am TO
blame. The fault is all mine. I've
ruined the lives of my husband and
baby. God forgive me! God forgive
mep'