Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-07-12

prisoners release. The evidence was
such that further delay was inexcus-
able. The district attorney, thus
urged, took an active interest in the
case, and after going over the new evil
dence with Judge. Brewster. went be-
fore the court and made formal ap-
,plication for the dismissal Of the CON-
lplaint. A few days later Howard JET
fries left the Tombs amid the cheers
Of crowd assembled outside. At his
side walked his wife. now smiling
through tears OF joy.
1t was a glad homecoming to the
little fiat in Harlem. To Howard. aft.
er spending SO long time in the
narrow prison quarters, 1t seemed like
paradise. and Annie walked on air. so
delighted was she to have him with
her again. Yet there were still anxi.
cites to cloud their happiness. The
close confinement, with its attendant
worry. had seriously undermined How.
ards health! He was pale and atten.
uated, and SO weak that he had sew
,eral fainting spells. Much alarmed.
Annie summoned DR.. Bernstein, who
administered q tonic. There was moth.
ing to cause anxiety. he said. reas.
suringly. It was a natural reaction
after what her husband had under
gone. But it was worry as much
as anything else. Howard worried
about his father, with whom he was
only partially reconciled; he worried
about his future, which was as pre-
carious as ever. and most Of all he
worried about his wife. He was not
ignorant OF the circumstances which
had brought about his release. and
while liberty was sweet to him, 1t had
been terrible shock when he first
heard that she was the woman who
had visited Underwood's rooms. He
refused to believe her sworn evidence.
How was 1t possible? Why should she
60 to Underwood's rooms knowing he
was there? 1t was preposterous. Still
the small voice rang in his ears-per.
haps she's untrue! 1t haunted him
till one day he asked point-blank for
an explanation. Then she told that
she had perjured herself. She was not
the woman. Who she really was she
could not say. He must be satisfied
for the present with the assurance
that 1t was not his wife. With that
he was content. What did he care for
the opinion Of others? He knew-that
was enough! In. their conversation on
the subject Annie did not even NEIL
ton Alicia's name. Why should she?"'
Weeks passed. and Towards health
did not improve. He had tried to find
position, but without success, yet
every day brought its obligations
which had to be met. One morning
Annie was bustling about their tiny
dining room preparing the table for
their frugal luncheon. She had just
placed the rolls and butter on the
table. and arranged the chairs. when
there came a ring at the front door
bell. Early visitors were not so in
frequent as to cause surprise. SO, with
out waiting to remove her apron, she
went to the door and opened it. DR..
Bernstein entered.
Good morning, Mrs. Jeffries," he
said, cheeri'y. Putting down his medi-
cal bag, he asked: How is our pa
tient this morning."
IAN right, doctor. He had splen-
did nights rest. I'll call him."
Never mind, want to talk to you"
Seriously, he went on: Mrs. Jenries,
your husband needs a change of scene.
He's worrying. That fainting spell the
other day was only symptom. I'm
afraid he'll break down unless
"Unless what?" she demanded. anx-
iously.
He hesitated for moment, as If I'M
willing to give utterance to words he
knew must inflict pain. Then he
quickly continued:
Your husband is under great
mental. strain. His inability to sup
port you, his Punishment from his
proper sphere in the social world is
mental torture to him. He feels his
position keenly. There is nothing else
to occupy his mind but thoughts OF
his utter and complete failure Ia life.
X was talking to his father last night,
and" R,e