Charlevoix county herald., 1911-07-29

not been able to substantiate. The
whole story looks like an invention on
your part
She held out her hands entreat.
ingly.
Its not an invention! Really,
Judge! Just little while longer!
You've been so kind, so patient!"
There was a trace of anger In the
lawyers voice as he went on:
Il believed you implicitly. You were
so positive this woman would come
forward"
"She will-she will. Give me only
a few minutes more!" she cried.
The lawyer looked at her as II puz,
zled.
"A few minutes?" he said. Again
he looked at her and then shook his
head tSesignedly. We'll, it's certainly
infectious!" he exclaimed. Il believe
you again"
The door opened and Alicia appeared.
The lawyer advanced politely to greet
| her.
Good evening, Mrs. Jeffries"
Alicia shook hands with him, at the
same time looking inquiringly at An
ME, who, by quick gesture, told her
that the Judge knew nothing of her
secret. The lawyer went on:
Mrs. Jeffries, Jr, wishes to speak
to you. l said 1 thought there'd be
no objection; you don't mind May
she?"
YES" murmured Alicia.
"Your husband was here" said the
Judge
My husband" she cried, startled.
Again she glanced inquiringly at An
| ME and tried to force a smile.
yes" said the lawyer; he'll be
glad to know you're here. I'll tell
him." Turning to Annie, he said:
when you're ready, please send
and"
Very well, Judge"
The lawyer went out and Alicia
turned round breathlessly.
my husband was here?" she ex-
claimed.
Yes"
you've told Mr.. Brewster nothing."
Annie shook her head
| II couldn't" she said "I tried to,
but | couldn't. 1t seems so hard, doesn't
it?" Alicia laughed bitterly and An
1 ME went on: Il was afraid you weren't
coming."
THE train was late!" exclaimed AL
icia evasively, Il went up to Stam-
ford to say good-by to my mother"
ITO say Goodbye" echoed her COM
panion in surprise.
YES" said the other tearfully. 'T
have said good-by to her-I have said
good-by to everybody-to everything
to myself must give them all up
must give myself up"
"Oh, it isn't as bad as that, surely?"
Alicia shook her head sadly.
YES" she said; 1--WE reckoned 1t
all up. It's a total loss Nothing will
be saved-husband, home, position,
good name-all will go. You'll see.
shall be torn into little bits of shreds.
They won't leave anything unsaid But
it's not that | care for so much. It's
the injustice of it all. The injustice
of the power of evil. This man Under.
wood never did a good action in all
his life. And now even after he is
dead he has the power to go on de.
stroying g-destroying-des
That's true" said Annie; "he was
no good
The bankers wife drew from her
bosom the letter Underwood wrote
her before he killed himself.
when he sent me this letter." she
went on, 81 tried to think myself into
his condition of mind, so that l could
decide whether he intended to keep
his word and kill himself or not.
tried to reason out just how he felt
and how he thought. Now / know
It's hopeless, dull, sodden despera-
ton l haven't even the ambition to
defend. myself from Mr.. Jeffries."
Annie shrugged her shoulders.
81 wouldn't lose any sleep on his
account" she said with a laugh. More
seriously she, added Surely he won't
believe"
"He may not believe anything him
SELF" said Alicia. Its what other peo-
pie are thinking that will make him
suffer. If the circumstances were only
little less disgraceful-a suicides
last letter to the woman he loved
They'll say | drove him to It. They
won't think of his miserable, dishon-
est career. They'll only think of my
share in his death"
Annie shook her head sympathetic
ally,
"Yes," she said; 'it's tough! The
worst of it is they are going to arrest
YOU"
Alicia turned ashen pale.
Arrest mel" she cried.
That's what Capt Clinton says"
replied the other gravely. "He was
here-he is here now-with two men,
waiting for you" Alphabetically she
went on: ut wasn't my fault, Mrs.
Jeffries-I didn't mean to. What
could l do? When / told Judge Brew
ster, he sent for Capt. Clinton. The