Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1911-10-13
CHAPTER WI.

SHNNF AN we
For few moments Underwood was
too much overcome by emotion to
speak. Alicia brushed by in naughty
silence, not deigning to look at him
All he heard was the soft rustic OF
her clinging silk gown as 1t swept
along the floor She was incensed
with him, of course, but she had
come. That was all he asked. She
had come in time to save him. He
would talk to her and explain every
thing and she would understand
She would help him in this crisis as
she had in the past, Their long
friendship, all these years of intimacy
could not end like this. There was
still hope for him. The situation was
not as desperate as he feared, He
might yet avert the shameful end Of
the suicide. Advancing toward her
he said in a hoarse whisper:
"0h, this is good of you, you've
come-this is the answer to my let
ter"
Alicia ignored his extended hand
and took seat. Then, turning or
him, she exclaimed Indignantly:
1.-THE answer should be a horse
whip. How dare you send me such
a messenger Drawing from her bag
the letter received from him that
evening, she demanded:
What do you expect to gain by
this threat?"
Don't be angry. Alicia
Underwood spoke soothingly, trying
to conciliate her. Well he knew the
seductive power of his voice. Otter
he had used it and not in vain, but
tonight it fell on cold, Indifferent
ears.
Don't call me by that NAME" she
snapped.
Underwood made no answer He
turned slightly paler and, folding his
arms, just looked at her, in silence
There was an awkward pause
At last she said:
II hope you understand that every
things over between us. Our &C.
Quaintance is at an end
my feelings toward you can never
change" replied Underwood earnest
ly. II love you-I shall always love
you"
Alicia gave a little shrug of her
shoulders, expressive of utter indiffer
ence.
Love-" she exclaimed mockingly
You love no one but yourself"
Underwood advanced nearer to her
and there was a tremor in his voice
as he said
you have no right to say that. You
remember what we once were. Whose
fault is it that | am where | am to
day? When you broke our engage
ment and married old Jeffries to graft
fy your social ambition, you ruined my
life. You didn't destroy my love-you
couldn't kill that. You may forbid me
everything-to see you-to speak to
you-even to think of you, but / can
never forget that you are the only
woman | ever cared for. If you had
married me, might have been diff.
ferent man. And now, just when
want you most, you deny me even your
friendship. What have | done to de.
serve such treatment? Is 1t fair? Is
1t just?"
Alicia had listened with growing Inn.
patience. 1t was only with difficulty
that she contained herself. Now she
interrupted him hotly:
Il broke my engagement with you
because l found that you were decelv.
ing me-just as you deceived Others"
It's lie!" broke in Underwood. 81
may have trifled with others, but |
never deceived you"
Alicia rose and, crossing the room,
carelessly inspected one of the pic
lures on the wall, study of the nude
by Bouguereau.
We need not go into that" she said
haughtily. THAT is all over now. |
came to ask you what this letter-this
threat-means. What do you expect
to gain by taking your life unless |
continue to be your friend? How can
| be friend to a man like you? You
know what your friendship for a WON
an means. 1t means that you would
drag her down to your own level and
disgrace her as well as yourself.
Thank God, my eyes are now opened
TO your true character. No self-re-
speeding woman could afford to allow
her name to be associated with yours.
You are as incapable of disinterested
friendship as you are of common hon
esty." Coldly she added: 81 hope you
quite understand that henceforth my
house is closed to you. II we happen
to meet In public, 1t must be as stran-
gers"