Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1911-10-20


IT'S not an invention! Really.
Judge! Just little while longer!
You've been so kind, so PATIENT"
There was trace of anger Ia 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
few minutes more!" she cried.
The lawyer looked at her as If pus-
zled
"A few minutes?" he said Again
he looked at her and then shook his
head resignedly. well, 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. 5effries, Jr.. wishes to speak
to you. I said I 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 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
81 Couldn't" she said. 81 tried to.
but couldn't. 1t seems so hard, doesn't
it?" Alicia laughed bitterly and An
ME went on: II was afraid you weren't
coming!"
THE train was late!" exclaimed AL.
icia evasively, II went up to STAN.
ford to say good-by to my mother"
ITO say good-by?" echoed her COM
panion in surprise.
YES" said the other tearfully. 81
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. 1t isn't as bad as that. surely?"
Alicia shook her head sadly.
"Yes." she said; I've reckoned 1t
all up. It's total loss. Nothing will
be saved-husband, home, position,
good name-all will so. 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 1t all The injustice
Of the power Of evil. This man Under
| wood never did good action In all
his life. And now even after he Ia
dead he has the power to go ON de-
stroying- destroying- destroying!"
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, Il tried to think myself into
his condition of mind, so that / 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 I know.
It's hopeless. dull, sodden despera
ton. | haven't even the ambition to
defend myself from Mr.. Jeffries"
Annie shrugged her shoulders.
Il wouldn't lose any sleep on his
account" she said with laugh. More
seriously she added: Surely he won't
believe"
He may not believe anything him.
SELF" said Alicia. tits what other peo.
pie are thinking that will make him
suffer. If the circumstances were only
a little less disgraceful-a suicides
last letter to the woman he loved.
They'll say drove him to it. They
WIZ tAfAh VI LIS mlS0TdDlG, Q1SlOu-
est career. They'll only think of nv
share In his death"
Annie shook her head sympathetic.
ally.
YES" she said; ''it's tough! The
worst of 1t is they are going to arrest
YOU"
Alicia turned ashen pale.
ARREST met" 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: 'It wasn't my fault. Mrs
Jeffries-I didn't mean to. What
could do? When l told Judge Brew.
ster. he sent for Capt. Clinton. The
police are afraid you'll run away or,
something"
"And my husband" gasped Alicia:
''he doesn't know. does her"
mo, didn't tell them. / said you,d
tell them yourself. but they won't
trust you when they know who Won
are. Let's tell the Judge-he NAV
think of plan. Suppose you 20 awav
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