, 1910-08-04

tone tnat n ike a SOD, 1T
be lone now! Oh. II I'd only done 1t
before-if I'd only told Mr.. Jeffries
the whole truth. You speak of How
ards sufferings. If he didn't do it,
he has at least the consciousness Of
his own innocence. but 1.-The con-
slant fear Of being found out 10 worse
than any hell the Imagination can con
jure Up. I dreaded tt dread 1t now
1T means disgrace-social ostracism
my husband must know-the whole
world will know"
Annie was not listening. Still be
wildered, she gazed with the utmost
establishment at her companion. To
think that THU mysterious woman
they had been seeking was Howard's
~stepmothe-.
so you're the missing witness we
have all been hunting fort" she said
81 can't believe It even now. How
did 1t happen?"
He and I were once engaged. !
broke It off when I found him out.
After I married Mr.. Jeffries I met I'm.
derwood again. Foolishly, I allowed
the old intimacy to be renewed. He
took advantage and preyed on my
friends. I forbade him my house.
He wrote me a letter in which he
threatened to kill himself. 1 was
afraid he mean tt wanted to pre-
rent him. I went to his rooms that
night. didn't tell Mr.. Jeffries.
When the truth is known and I &C
knowledge that I visited this man
can you see what It means?-what a
fuss therell be. Everybody will put
the worst construction on tt"
Trust them for that" said Annie
grimly. She vas sorry for the wom-
ans distress, yet, being only human,
she felt a certain sense of satisfaction
in seeing her suffer a little of what
she had been made to suffer.
They'll say that God knows
what they'll say!" went on Alicia dis
tractedly. my husband will be
dragged through the mire OF another
public scandal-his social prestige will
oh, l dare not think of 1T know
my duty is to that unfortunate boy.
mustn't think of myself"
Have you the letter that Mr.. Un-
derwood wrote your" demanded her
companion.
"Yes-T've never been able to de-
stroy it. I don't know why I kept IT,
but thank God 1 have it," Moaning.
she wen on:
The disgrace!-the disgrace!-it's
ruin-degradation! It's the end of
everything.-the end of everything!"
Annie regarded with contempt this
poor. weak, wailing creature who
lacked the moral courage to do what
was merely right. Her voice was not
unkind as she said:
81 don't want to disgrace you-or
ruin you. But what am | to do-tell
me, what am I to do?"
81 don't know" moaned her com.
panion heiplessly.
Howard must be saved"
"Yes."
. o tell Judge Brewster or
II"
Judge Brewster! Why should he
.ow?" cried Alicia, startled. More
c~omposedly and as If resigned to the
inevitable, she went on: Yes, l sup
pose he must know sooner or later,
but, l."
She broke down again and burst in
to tears. Annie watched her In a.
lsnce.
"It's tough-isn't it," she said SYM
pathetically.
"Yes," sobbed Alicia through her
tears, "it's-it's fought" Rising, she
dried her eyes and said hastily: Don't
say anything now. Give me a few
hours. Then | can think what is best
to be done"
Annie was about to reply when the
Office door suddenly opened and Judge
Brewster entered. Addressing Alicia.
he said:
Pardon me, Mrs. Jeffries. I hope
haven't kept you waiting" Noticing
her agitation and traces of tears. he
looked surprised. He made no com
ment but turned to Annie:
81 have been talking to DR.. Bern
stein over the phone
Annie approached him. softly and
said in a whisper:
1--WE told Mrs. Jeifries that O have
undertaken Towards defense"
Judge Brewster smiled at his
wealthy client, almost apologetically'
Annie thought. Then addressing her,
he said:
YES. I've been quite busy since
saw you. nave put three OF the best
detectives we have on the trail OF the
woman who visited Underwood that
night. l don't think the police have
been trying very hard to find her
They're satisfied with Howard's con
fession. But we want her and well
get her"
oh" gasped Alicia.
The judge was proceeding to tell OF
other steps he had taken when the
door opened and the head clerk en-
tered, followed by Mr.. Jeffries.
II told Mr.. Jeffries that Mrs. JEFF.
fries was here" said the clerk.