The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-05-31

She held out her hands ertreat
ingiy.
IT'S not an invention! Really.
Judge! Just a 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 we're
so positive this woman would come
forward"
She wilI-she will. Give me only
few minutes more" she cried.
The lawyer looked at her as if puz-
zled.
"a few minutes?" he said Again
he looked at her and then shook his
head resignedIy. 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. Jenries."
Alicia shook hands with him, at the
same time looking lnquiringly at An.
ME, who, by a quick gesture. told her
that the Judge knew nothing of her
secret The lawyer went on:
Mrs. Jeffries, Jr.. wishes to speak
to you. | said I thought there'd be
no objection; you don't mind. May
she?"
Yes" muTmured Alicia.
Your husband was here" said the
Judge.
My husband" she cried, startled.
Again she glanced inquirtngly at An
ME and tried to force a smile.
Yes" said the lawyer; he'll be
glad 10 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.
Il couldn't" she said. 'T tried to,
but couldn't. II seems so hard, doesn't
it?" Alicia laughed bitterly and An
| ME went on: Il was afraid you weren't
| coming"
The train was late!" exclaimed Al.
tcia evasively, Il went up to STAN
ford to say g0od-by to my mother"
! ITO say Goodbye" echoed her com.
! panion in surprise.
Yes" said the other tearfully. Il
have said good-by to her-I have said
! good-by TO everybOdy-to everything
to myself must give them all up
l must give myself up"
oh, it isn't as bad as that, surely"
Alicia shook her head sadly.
| Yes" she said; I've reckoned it
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 l 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-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES"
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 l know.
It's hopeless, dull, sodden despera
ton. haven't even the ambition 10
defend myself from Mr.. Jetfries."
Annie shrugged her shoulders.
4 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. It's 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
won't think of his miserable. dishon.
est career. They'll only think of nv
share in his death"
Annie shook her head sympathetic.
ally.
Yes" she said: its tough. The
worst OF it is they are going to arrest
YOU"
Alicia turned ashen pale.
Arrest me-" she cried.
That's what Capt. Clinton saws,
replied the other gravely He was
here-he is here now-with two men
waiting for Won" Alphabetically she
went on: 1t wasn't my fault Mrs
Jeffries-I didn't mean to. What
could l do? When | told Judge Rrey.
ster. he sent for Capt. Clinton. The
police are afraid you'll run away or
something"
And my husband" gaspad Alicia
he doesn't know. does hea"