Part 21 (2/2)

[_He presses the b.u.t.ton and all the lights go out. The stage is in complete darkness; only the voices are heard from the different places in which the actors are last seen._

BLANCHE. [_Quickly._] Remember, to help you to help ourselves, we must know everything. Go on.

STERLING. It began fourteen months ago, after Ned Warden put me on my feet; I got a little ahead--why not get way ahead? There were plenty of men around me making their fortunes! I wanted to equal them--climb as high as they; it seemed easy enough for them, and luck had begun to come my way. We're all climbers of some sort in this world. I was a climber after wealth and everything it brings--

[_He stops a moment._

BLANCHE. [_Her voice comes throbbing with pathetic emotion through the darkness._] And _I_ after _happiness_ and all it brings.

STERLING. [_Deeply moved, his voice trembles for a moment, but only for a moment._] Don't, Blanche, or I can't finish. Well, I borrowed on some of Aunt Ruth's bonds and speculated--I made a hundred thousand in a week! I put back the bonds. But it had been so easy! I could see those bonds grinning at me through the iron side of the vault box. They seemed to smile and beckon, to _beg_ me to take them out into the air again!

They grew to be like living things to me, servants of mine to get me gold--and finally I determined to make one bigger coup than ever! I took Aunt Ruth's bonds out and all the money available in my trust, and put it _all_ into this new company! It seemed so safe. I stood to be a prince among the richest! And, for a day or so, I've known nothing short of a miracle could save me from being wanted by the police! To-night I gave up even the miracle. That's all. It's no use saying I'm sorry.

[_A moment's pause._

MASON. Have others suffered besides Miss Hunter?

STERLING. There is some money of Aunt Ruth's left--stock I couldn't transfer. But I used the money of others--Miss G.o.desby and Ryder's.

MASON. Miss Ruth, a large part of your fortune is gone, used unlawfully by this man. Will you resort to the law?

RUTH. [_Very quietly._] No!

BLANCHE. [_In a voice broken with emotion and grat.i.tude._] Aunt Ruth!

MASON. We can't hope Miss G.o.desby and Ryder will be as lenient! You must go to them in the morning--tell them everything, put yourself at their mercy, ask for time and their silence.

STERLING. _Never!_ I couldn't do it.

MASON. It is the only honorable way out of your dishonorable action--the least you can do!

STERLING. Confess to their faces, and probably to no good? Eat the dust at their feet, and most likely be clapped into prison for it? _No, thank you!_

BLANCHE. Suppose _I_ went to them?

STERLING. You?

RUTH. No! Why should _you_!

STERLING. Yes! Why not? They might keep silent for _her_!

BLANCHE. I would do it for my boy's sake. Yes, _I'll_ go.

STERLING. _Yes!_ _You_ go, Blanche.

RUTH. No, you _shan't_ go--you shan't humiliate yourself in his place!

MASON. Certainly not; and if your husband is willing, we are not willing! _He_ must go.

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