The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-03

lual IOoS CuOhln6iy III hCA e~AN
They're in a separate part OF the
prison." replied the keeper.
isn't it dreadful?" she murmured.
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 90 bad as 1t looks" he laughed.
"They are allowed to come out In the
corridor to exercise twice day for an
hour and there is splendid shower
bath they can take"
Where is my husbands cell?" she
whispered, almost dreading to hear
the reply.
There It Is" he said, pointing to .
door. No. 456."
Walking rapidly ahead of her and
stopping at one of the cell doors, he
raped loudly on the iron grating and
cried:
"JenIies, here's lady come to see
you. Wake up there!"
A white, drawn face approached the
grating. Annie sprang forward.
Howard" she sobbed.
'Ts f. you, Annie?" came a weak
voice throuSh the bars.
"Can't I go in to him?" she asked
pleadingly.
The keeper shook his head.
mo, MN, 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. 1t was dreadful TO be
standing there so close and yet not
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 gesped. What
dreadful thing this Isl Tell me how
you got into such a scrape!"
He put his hand to his head as If 1t
hurt him. and she noticed that his
eyes looked queer. For q moment the
agony Of terrible suspicion crossed
Aer mind. Was 1t possible that In Q
nonient of drunken recklessness he
lad shot Underwood? Quickly, almost
breathlessly, she whispered to him:
Tell me quickly, 'tis not true, Is It?
You did not kill Robert Underwood"
He shook his head.
NO." he said.
Thank God for that" She ex-
claimed. But your confession-what
does that mean?"
II do not know. They told me I did
r. They insisted / did 1t. He was
sure / did it. He told me he knew I
did IL 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
you know I didn't, don't your"
who is he?" demanded Annie.
'The police captain"
"Oh, Capt Clinton told you you
did it?"
Howard nodded.
"Yes, he told me he knew l did 1t.
He kept me standing there six hours,
questioning and questioning until l
was ready to drop. tried to sit
down; he made me stand up. I did
not know what l 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
blank. A few moments later the cor
cner came in and Capt Clinton told
him confessed. But 1t isn't true, An
ME. You know l am as innocent of
that murder as you are"
Thank God. thank God!" exclaimed
Annie. II see 1t ali now."
Her tears were dried. Her brain was
beginning to work rapidly. She al
ready saw a possible line of defense.
Il don't know how 1t all happened"
went on Howard. II don't know any
more about 1t than you do. left you
to 20 to Underwood's apartment. On
the way I foolishly took drink When
/ got there l took more whisky. Be-
fore knew II / was drunk. While
talking l fell asleep. Suddenly heard
a woman's voice"
"Ah," interrupted Annie. You, too,
heard a woman's voice. Capt. Clinton
said there was woman In It,"
Thoughtfully as il to herself, She
added: 1--WE must find that woman"
When woke up" continued How
ard. 1T was dark Cropping around
for the electric light, | stumbled over
something. 1t was Underwood's dead
body. How he came by his death
have not the slightest idea. l at once
realized the dangerous position l was
In and | tried to leave the apartment
unobserved. Just as / was going'
Underwood's man servant arrived and
he handed me over to the police.