Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-03-22

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. II you had
married me, might have been a 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 i'm.
patience. 1t was only with difficulty
that she contained herself. Now she
interrupted him hotly:
Il broke my engagement with you
because found that you were deceiv.
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. I
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 man like you? You
know what your friendship for wom
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-
specting 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 Il hope you
quite understand that henceforth nv
house is closed to you. If we happen
to meet in public, it must be as stran.
gers"
Underwood did not speak. Words
seemed to fail him. His face was set
and white. A nervous twitching about
the mouth showed the terrible mental
strain which the man was under. In
the excitement he had forgotten about
HoWard's presence on the divan be-
hiEd the screen A listener might have
detected the heavy breathing of the
sleeper, but even Alicia herself was
too preoccupied to notice it. Under
wood extended his arms pleadingly:
"Alicia-for the sake of auld lang
syne!"
Aud lang syne," she retorted. 81
want to forget the past. The old mem.
cries are distasteful. My only object
In coming here tonight was to make
the situation plain to you and to ask
you to promise me not to-carry out
your threat to kill yourself. Why
should you kill yourself? Only towards
do that. Because you are in trouble
That is the towards way out. Leave
New York. Go where you are not
known. You are still young. Begin
life over again, somewhere else" Ad.
vancing toward him, she went on:
IF you will do this | will help you.
| never want to see you again. but I'll
try not to think Of you unkindly. But
you must promise me solemnly not to
make any attempt against your life"
Il promise nothing" muttered Un-
derwood doggedly
But you must" she insisted. "It
would be a terrible crime, not only
against yourself, but against others
You must give me your word"
Underwood shook his head.
II promise nothing"
But you must" persisted Alicia. T
won't stir from here until have your
promise"
He looked at her curiously.
IF my life has no interest for you,
why should you care?" he asked.
There was note of scorn in his
voice which aroused his visitors
wrath. Crumpling up his letter in her
hand. she confronted him angrily.
Shall | tell you why | carer" she
cried. Because you accuse me in this
letter of being the cause of your death
i, who have been your friend In
spite of your dishonesty. Oh! it's des.
picable, contemplate! Above all, it's
lie"
Underwood shrugged his shoulders.
Cynically he replied:
$50 1t wasn't SO much concern for
me as for yourself that brought you
here"
Alicia's eyes flashed as she an.
swered:
Eyes, wished to spare myself this
indignity, the shame of being asso-
ciated in any way with a suicide
was afraid you meant what you said"
Afraid" interrupted Underwood
bitterly. that some of the scandal
might reach as far as the aristocratic
Mrs. Howard Jeffries, SRI"
Her face flushed with anger, Alicia
paced up and down the room. The
mans taunts stung her to the quick.
In way, she felt that he was. right