Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-09
LLOYD AND ALICE.

LLOYD AND ALICE.
NlHE sunday morning service was
just ending when Kittredge
reached the Sante prison. and
- he got his first impressions OF
the place as he listened TO rcsounding
Gregoriau tones chanted. or. rather.
shouted, los tiers on tiers OF prisoners.
each joining in the unison with full
lung power through cell doors chained
ajar Lloyd settled down as comfort
ably as might be in his cell TO pass the
afternoon over The Last OF the Mo
hicans."
Scarcely had Lloyd finished a single
chapter when one OF the guards ap-
peared with as much Of surprise on his
stolid couutcnance as an overworked
underjailer can show. for an unprece-
dented thing had happened prisoner
an secret SVas 60 receive a visitor. a
young woman at that. Moreover. he
was 90 see her fra the private parlor.
with not even the customary barrier
or iron bars Go separate them. When
kittrcdge crossed the threshold he
started back with cry OF amazement.
Alice" he gasped. and his face light
Ell with transhEuring Joy. Il was n
bare roog with bare floors and bare
yellow painted walls, the only furnish
ings being two cane chairs and cheap
table, but 20 Kituedge IL was a mar.
Vicious and radiantly happy place. for
Alice was there He stared az her
almost uubeiieving but it was true.
By some kind miracle Allce-his Alice
was there
Then, without any prelude. without
SO much as asking FOR an explanation
or givinT her time 20 make one. LLOYD
sprang Serward and caught the trem
bling girl 10 his arms aud drew her
close 10 him.
You darling" he whispered-"you
brave, beautiful darling. l love you!
/ love your"
Lloyd, dear" she said, 81 am here
70 help you. 10 get you out OF this
dreadful place"
you little angelr' he smiled.
But first you must answer some
questions. I'll begin with the easiest
question" she said. Now, then. have
you ever had govt OF rheumatism
Don't laugh-its important"
Never" he answered.
do you play tennis with your right
hand or your left handT"
"Oh. see here" he protested.
mo, no." she insisted. you must
tell me-"
Il use both hands" be answered.
Now, you have a chest OF drawers
In your room with two brass dogs
fighting about the lock platesY"
How the devil did you know thatT'
Never mind. You usually keep the
right hand upper drawer locked, don't
your
That's true"
DO you remember going to this
drawer any time lately and finding It
unlockedY'
mo I don't"
Alice hesitated, and then, with a
flush OF embarrassment, she went on
bravely. ''Now. Lloyd. come to the
hardest part"
''Well?"
Its about the lady who-who called
Tor you. She wants 10 help you. I
have seen her.
"whatT"
Eyes. and. Lloyd. she is sorry for the
harm she has done and
You have seen herT' he cried, daz-
ed. 'How1"
Then. in as few words as possible,
Alice told OF her talk with the lady
at the church. And l have this mes
sage for you from her and-and this"
She handed him the note and the
folded banknotes.
Lloyd's face clouded. she sent me
money! His lips grew white. 'No,
no." he declared, tits quite kspossible
1 cannot take IT," and he handed the
money back.
She thrilled with pEde in him.
But the lawyerT" Weakly.
Would you want me to owe my
safety 20 herYs
ooh, no." she murmured.
Besides, they have given me a law
yer"
''Then-then what shall 1 do with
theseT' She looked at the banknotes
In perplexity.
Return them"
"Ah, yes" she agreed. 81 Will go TO
her apartment in the morning. Let me
see, It's on the Avenue Where did /
put her addressT And she went
through the form Of searching In her
pocketbook.
'The Avenue Kleber," unsuspecting
"Of course. the Avenue Kleber
Where Is that card? I've forgotten the
number too. DO you remember a.
dearY'
Poor child She tried SO hard 20
speak naturally, but her emotion be-
trayed her
"Ah, / seer he cried, eying her
steadily. she did not give you her adj