The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-02-02
CHAPTER IV.-continued.

I'm a word" laughed the Judge
you mean that any one trained to
read my mind can tell just whats
passing in my brain?"
Precisely replied the doctor with
smile the psychologist can tell with
almost mathematical accuracy Just
how your mental mechanism is work
ing. l admit it sounds uncanny, but
it can be proved. In fact, it has been
proved. time and time again."
Alicia came up and took the doc
tors arm.
"Oh, DR.. Bernstein" she protested,
Il can't allow the judge to monopolize
you in this way. Come with me. l
want to introduce you to a most
charming woman who is dying to
meet you. She is perfectly crazy on
psychology"
Don't introduce me to her"
laughed the Judge. Il see enough
crazy people in the law courts"
DIR. Bernstein smiled and followed
his hostess. Judge Brewster turned
to chat with the banker. From the dis
tant music room came the sound of
piano and beautiful soprano voice.
The rooms were now crowded and
newcomers were arriving each min
ute. Servants passed in and out Serv.
ing iced delicacies and champagne.
Suddenly the butler entered the
salon and, quietly approaching Alicia.
handed her letter. In a low tone
he said:
This letter has just come, nm.
The messenger said it was very i'm
portant and l should deliver it at
once"
Alicia turned pale. She instantly
recognized the handwriting. It was
from Robert Underwood. Was not her
last message enough? How dare he
address her again and at such a timer?
Retiring to an inner room, she tore
open the envelope and read as follows:
Dear Mrs Jeffries: This Is the last
time l shall ever bore you with NV LEFT
ters. You have forbidden me to see Won
again. Practically you have sentenced
me to a living death, but as 1 prefer
death shall not be partial, but full and
complete oblivion, 1 take this means of
letting you know that unless you revoke
your cruel sentence of Punishment T
shall! make end of 1t ALL L shall hs
found dead, Monday morning, and YOU
will know who is responsible
Yours devotedly,
ROBERT UNDERWOOD
An angry exclamation ESCAPED |
Alicia's lips, and crushing the note up
in her hand, she bit her lips till the |
blood came. 1t was just as she feared.
The man was desperate. He was not
to be got rid of so easily. How dare
he-how dare he? The coward-to
think that she could be frightened by
such a threat. What did she care if
he killed himself? 1t would be good
radiance. Yet suppose he was in
earnest, suppose he did carry out his
threat? There would be a terrible
scandal, an investigation, people
would talk, her name would be men
toned. No-no-that must be pre-
vented at all costs.
Distracted, not knowing what course
to pursue, she paced the floor of the
room. Through the closed door she
,ould hear the music and the chatter
IF her guests. She must go to see
Underwood at once, that was certain.
and her visit must be a secret one.
There was already enough talk
If her enemies could hear of her Wis
ting him alone in his apartments that
would be the end
"Yes-I must see him at once. To
morrow is Sunday. He's sure to be
lome in the evening. He mentions
donday morning There will still be
ime. I'll go and see him tomorrow.
Alicia! Alicia!"
The door opened and Mr.. Jeffries
tut his head in.
What are you doing here, my
ear?" he asked. Il was looking
verywhere for you. Judge Brewster
fishes to say goodnight"
Il was fixing my hair, that's ALL" {
eplied Alicia with perfect compos- I
re. q