Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-05-10
CHAPTER xIll.-continued.

Where are the women?" asked
Annie, trying to keep down the lump
that rose chokingly in her throat.
They're in separate part of the
prison." replied the keeper.
Isn't 1t dreadful?" she murmured
2 mot at all" he exclaimed cheer
fully These prisoners fare better in
prison than they do outside. | wager
some of them are sorry to leave"
But it's dreadful to be cooped up
In those little cells. isn't it?" she said.
Not SO bad as it looks" he laughed.
"They are allowed to come out in the
corridor to exercise twice day for an
hour and there is a splendid shower
bath they can take"
where is my husbands cell?" she
whispered. almost dreading to hear
the reply.
There 1t is" he said, pointing to
door. mo. ass"
Walking rapidly ahead of her and
stopping at one of the cell doors. he
raped loudly on the iron grating and
cried:
$3.50 49, hASA Y 9 - AeAAy sSOAAAS W oSS
you. Wake up there!"
A white. drawn face approached the
grating. Annie sprang forward
HowIka!". she sobbed.
rs II you. Annie?"a came weak
voice through the bars.
Can't go In to him?" she asked
pleadingly.
Tho 1oonnr ch h{o
mo. MIN. you must talk through
the bars. but ! won't disturb you"
He walked away and the husband
and wife were left facing each other.
The tears were streaming down An
MES cheeks. It was dreadful to be
standing there 80 close and yet mt
be able to throw her arms around him.
Her heart ached as she saw the dis
tress in his wan, pale face.
Why didn't you come before?" he
asked.
Il could not. They wouldn't let me.
oh, Howard" she gasped. What a
dreadful thing this, is! Tell me how
you got into such a scrape!"
z He put his hand to his head as If 1t
hurt him. and she noticed that his
eyes looked queer. For moment the
agony OF terrible suspicion crossed
her mind. Was it possible that in a
moment of drunken recklessness he
had shot Underwood? Quickly, almost
breathlessly. she whispered to him:
Tell me quickly, It's not true, is It?
You did not kill Robert Underwood"
He shook his head.
NO" he said.
"rhank God for that" she ex-
claimed. But your confession-what
does that mean?"
u do not know. They told me | did
1t. They insisted did 1t. He was
/ sure did it. He told me he knew /
did it. He showed me the pistol. He
was SO insistent that thought he was
right-that ! had done It." In deep
: whisper he added earnestly: But
yon know ] didn't. don't you?"
Who is he?" demanded Annie.
"The police captain"
"Oh, Capt. Clinton told you you
did it?"
Howard nodded.
i yes, ne tOlQ me ne knew did 1t.
He kept me standing there six hours,
questioning and questioning until |
Was ready to drop. | tried to sit
down: he made me stand up. did
not know what was saying or doing.
He told me killed Robert Under
wood. He showed me the pistol under
the strong light. The reflection from
the polished nickel flashed into my
eyes. everything suddenly became a
bunk. A few moments later the cor
! oner came in and Capt. Clinton told
him ] confessed. But it isn't true. An
ME. You know am as innocent of
that murder as you are"
THANK God. thank God!" exclaimed
Annie. Il see 1t all now"
Her tears were dried. Her brain was
beginning to work rapidly. She al
ready saw possible line of defense.
II don't know how 1t all happened"
went on Howard. Il don't know any
more about 1t than you do. left you
10 go to Underwood's apartment On
the way foolishly took drink. When
got there took more whisky. Be-
fore knew it was drunk. While
talking fell asleep. Suddenly heard
! woman's voice."