The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-09-12
'1The Probationer"
nv MAX MARGIN
BY MAX MARGIN

there a year. Then they released me
on parole. a.
II came back to the city and found
employment. But I had to report
each month to the parole board, and,
In some way, my employers learned
of it. lost one position after
another, SO I fed from the city.
st was innocent Of the crime. Har-
vey!" she exclaimed in a tone or APP
peal st swear it, I swear it by all
1 hold sacred
eff you only had told me before, if
you only had told me out there IN
Kansas City, he moaned.
"Oh, was a coward, I know It"
she responded. you Were deceived.
My married life has been living lie
"a lie doubly black because of your
faith in me-"
What is to be done? What can we
do to avoid the disgrace ?" he asked.
'I have thought it over she an
swered tremously! Listen, Harvey:
If once they arrest me. nothing can
prevent my being dragged back to
prison A-- E..
Back to prison!'' came the answer
ing moan from her husband. you
back to prison! Oh!''
But I'm not going back" she
flashed I'm not going back - for
your sake
He looked up in surprise.
"Once they arrest me- she CON
tinued, disgrace will be unavo1da-
BILE The notoriety will be appalling,
the only way is to prevent my arrest
"How?'' he asked.
at have a way-you need not
know what it is. But am not going
to disgrace YOU
perhaps they'll not try to arrest
you" he said with a sudden return
of hope perhaps Burke has saved
you. hey may believe they made a
mistake"
mo. there isn't q chance OF that
she returned mot a chance in the
world
+oh. why didn't know BEFORE p"
he broke forth with sudden energy.
s'why didn't I know betore7,'
''Hervey'' she said. bending Tor
ward in her heat, IT know I should
have told you. I don't ask Forgiven
ness for my deception. Tn ready to
take my punishment. But I do want
you to believe was innocent; 40
want you to believe I was not a
thief
mot for an instant could I think
otherwise" he replied softly. But
we are face to face now with g, seri-
Gus situation. We must meet it reso-
lutely.' ..-.
There will be no serious situation
for you and for Ethel, for I am
am-going to save you the humiliation
OF it ALL
What do you mean ?'' he snapped.
1T mean that I am unworthy OF
you she returned. have cheated
you by my silence. I hid the Flemish
on my past, and now it comes up 70
mar your future and Ethers future.
I will not permit it,
.'you are evasive, Margaret. The sit
uation requires absolute frackness on
your part he cautioned.
81 am going to prevent, i 7 can,
she said with deliberarIon. the
shame Of my past from falling on you
and Ethel
"But how" he demanded.
stBy not permitting them to arrest
me-.
How are you going 70 prevent il 80
There is only one road for me-
and I am going to take it." :..
He looked at her steadily, noted her
drawn lips and the lines of her FORE
head gathered between her eye
brows.
ut is all my doing" she informed
him ct must undo it all alone"
He pressed her head close to him
and bent down, laying his cheek
against the soft coil of her hair.
:I am unworthy of q single
thought from you," she whispered
unworthy of your love-"
.tNo,' he corrected quickly, you
are worthy of all have to give. GU
are worth fighting for. and I'm going
to fight for you. We're going to
stand together. shoulder to shoulder,
and meet the onslaught ef adverse
fate with our combined strength"
you will not be arrested" he as
suerd her. I'm going to meet the
problem as I'd meet a problem in
transp ortation I'll find a way-In
find
(Cop+inued To- mcre~Ow.o