The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-05-11
Iymc6Iy ne rePnsl:

so 1t wasn't SO much concern for
me as for yourself that brought you
here"
Alieia,s eyes flashed as she an
swered:
yes. 1 wished to spare myself this
indiSnity. the shame OF being asso-
eiated IN any way with a suicide.
was afraid you meant what you said"
Afraid interrupted Underwood
bitterly. that some OF the scandal
might reach as far as the aristocratic
Mrs. Howard Jefiries. SRI"
Her face flushed with anger. Alicia
paced up and down the room. The
mans taunts stung her to the quick.
In a way. she felt that he was right.
She ought to have guessed his cha-ac.
ter long ago and had nothing to do
with him. He seemed desperate
enough to do anything. yet she doubt
ed If he had the courage to kill him
self. She thought she would try more
conciliatory methods. so. stopping
short. she said more gently:
You know my husband has suffered
through the wretched marriage OF his
only son. You know how deeply we
both feel this disgrace. and yet you
would add"
Underwood laughed mockngly.
Why should consider your hus-
bands feelings?" he cried. He didn't
consider mine when he married you"
Suddenly bending forward. every
nerve tense. he continued hoarsely:
Alicia. tell you I'm desperate. I'm
hemmed in on all sides by creditors.
You know what your friendship-your
patronage means? II you drop-me
now. your friends will follow-they're
lot OF sheep led by you-and when
my creditors hear of me they'll be
down on me like a flock OF wolves
I'm not able to make a settlement.
Prison stares me in the face"
Glancing around at the handsome
furnishings, Alicia replied careIessly:
I'm not responsible for your wrong.
doing. want to protect my friends.
If they are lot of sheep. as you say.
that is precisely why should warn
them. They have implicit confidence
in me. You have borrowed their mon
ey, cheated them at cards. stolen from
them. Your acquaintance with me has
given them the opportunity. But now
I've found you out refuse any long.
cr 10 sacrifice my friends, my self-re-
spect, my sense OF decency." Angrily
she continued: You thought you could
bluf me. You've adopted this cow
ards way OF forcing me to receive
YOU against my Will. Well. you've
failed. viii not sanction. your rob.
hing my friends. viii not allow you
to sell them any more Of your high.
priced rubbish, or permit you to cheat
them at cards"
Underwood listened in silence. He
stood motionless. watching her flushed
face as she heaped reproaches on him.
She was practically pronouDcing his
death sentence, yet he could not help
thinking how pretty she looked Who
she had finished he said nothing, but,
going to his desk. he opened a small
drawer and took out a revolver.
Alicia recoiled. frightened.
What are you going to do?" she
cried.
Underwood smiled bitterly.
"oh. don't be afraid. I wouldn't do
1t while you are here. In spite OF all
you've said to me. I still think too
much Of you for that" Replacing the
pistol in the drawer. he added: Alicia.
if you desert me now, you'll be sorry
TO the day of your death"
His visitor looked at him in silence.
Then, contemptuously. she said:
Il don't believe you intend to carry
out your threat I should have known
I from the first that your object was 10
frighten me. The pistol display was
highly theatrical, bat It was only
bluK. You've no more idea of taking
your life than l have OF taking mine.
was foolish to come here. might
have spared myself the humiliation OF
this clandestine interview. Good.
night"
She went toward the door. Under.
wood made no attempt to follow her.
In hard, strange voice. which he
scarcely recognized as his own, he
merely SAID:
rs that all you have to say"
Yes" replied Alicia, as she turned
at the door. Let It be thoroughly IN.
derstood that your presence at my
house is not desired. II you force
yourself upon me in any way, you
must take the consequences"
Underwood bowed, and was silent.
She did not see the deathly pallor OF
his face. Opening the door of the
apartment which led TO the hall. she
again turned.
Tell me. before I go-you didn't
mean what you said in your letter, did
you?"
IN tell you nothing" replied IN
derwood doggedly.
She tossed her head scornfuIy.
l51sa.,.