, 1910-07-14

-aN -~
only furnishings were a folding cot
with blanket, a wash bowl and lava
tory. Each cell had its occupant, men
and youths of all ages. Some were
reading. some playing cards. Some
were lying asleep on their cots, per-
haps dreaming of home, but most of
them leaning dejectedly against the
Iron bars wondering when they would
regain their liberty.
Where are the women?" asked
Annie, trying to keep down the lump
that rose chokingly in her throat.
They're in a separate part of the
prison." replied the keeper.
Isn't it dreadful?" she murmured.
Not at ALL" he exclaimed cheer
fully. These prisoners fare better in
prison than they do outside. l wager
some of them are sorry to leave
But it's dreadful to be cooped up
In those little cells, isn't it?' she said.
Not SO bad as it looks" he laughed.
"They are allowed to come out in the
corridor to exercise twice a day for an
hour and there is a splendid shower
bath they can take"
Where is my husbands cell?" she
" u lllo ultdulUs u near
the reply.
There it is" he said. pointing to a
door. mo. 456."
Walking rapidly ahead of her and
stopping at one of the cell doors, he
raped loudly on the iron grating and
cried:
"Jeffries, here's a lady come to see
you. Wake up there"
A white, drawn face approached the
grating. Annie sprang forward.
Howard she sobbed.
rs 1t you, Annie?" came q weak
voice through the bars.
Cant / go in to him?" she asked
'pleadingly.
The keeper shook his head.
NO, MN, you must talk through
the bars, but I won't disturb you"
He walked away and the husband
and wife were left facing each other.
The tears were streaming down An
MES cheeks. 1t was dreadful to be
standing there so close and yet not
be able to throw her arms around him.
Her heart ached as she saw the dis
tress in his wan, pale face.
Why didn't you come before7" he
asked.
81 could not. They wouldn't let me.
oh, Howard she gasped. What a
dreadful thing this is! Tell me how
you got into such a scrape!"
He put his hand to his head as If it
hurt him. and che noticed thai his
eyes looked queer. Fol a moment the
agony of a terrible suspicion crossed
her mind. Was it possible that in a
moment of drunken recklessness he
had shot Underwood? Quickly, almost
ibreathlessly, she whispered to him:
Tell me quickly, It's not true, is lit
You did not kill Robert Underwood"
He shook his head.
no" he said.
Thank God for that" she ex.
claimed. but your confession-what
does that mean?"
Il do not know. They told me did
It. They insisted / did it. He was
sure l did it. He told me he knew l
did it. He showed me the pistol. He
was so insistent hat l thought he was
right-that i had lone it." In a deep
whisper he added earnestly: But
you know / didn't, don't your"
WIN ID he. uCLuduutu Auulc.
THE police captain"
"Oh, Capt. Clinton told you you
did it?"
Howard nodded.
Yes, he told me he knew l did II.
He kept me standing there six hours,
questioning and questioning until I
was ready to drop. / tried to sit
down; he made me stand up. 1 did
not know what l was saying or doing.
He told me / killed Robert Under.
wood. He showed me the pistol under
the strong light. The reflection from
the polished nickel flashed into my
eyes, everything suddenly became q
blank. A few moments later the cor.
oner came in and Capt. Clinton told
him ! confessed. But 1t isn't true. An.
ME. You know l am as innocent Of
that murder as you are"
Thank God, thank God!" exclaimed
Annie. 81 see 1t all now"
Her were dried. Her brain was
beginning to work rapidly. She al
READY saw a possible line of defense.
II don't know how 1t all happened"
went on Howard. 81 don't know n
more about 1t than you do. l left you
to go to Underwood's apartment. On
the way / foolishly took a drink. When
l got there l tool more whisky. Be
fore / knew 1t / was drunk. While
talking l fell asleep. Suddenly / heard
10 woman's voice."
"Ah!" interrupted Annie. You, too
heard a woman's voice. Capt. Clinton
said there vas a m in it.
Thoughtfully. as If to herself. she
added: I'VE must find that woman"
when j woke up" continued How
ard, ut was dark. Cropping around
for the electric light. | stumbled over
something. 1t was Underwood's dead