The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-06-13
CHAPTER xvlll.-contInusd.

1T does stun one, doesn't III" went
on Annie. "You can't think when 1t
comes all Of a sudden like this. It's
Just the way felt the morning they
showed me Towards confession"
Prison! Prisoni" walled Alicia.
Annie tried to console her.
mot for long," she said soothingly;
you can get bail. It's only matter
Of favor-Judge Brewster would get
you out right away"
Get me out!" cried Alicia distract
edly. my Cod can't go to prison.
can'tl That's too much. I've done
nothing Look--read thisl" Handing
over Underwood's letter. she went on:
you can see for yourself. The wretch
frightened me into such state OF
mind that hardly knew what | was
doing-I went to his rooms to save
him. That's the truth. swear to
God! But do you suppose anybody
will believe me on oathi They'll
they'll"
Almost hysterical, she no longer
knew what she was saying or doing
She collapsed utterly, and sinking
down in chair. gave way to a pas
sionate Mt OF sobbing. Annie tried to
quiet her:
"Hushl" she said gently. don't 90
on like that Be brave. Perhaps II
won't be as bad as you think" She
unfolded the letter Alicia had given
her and carefully read It through.
Nhan she had antohad hor % 80. M 49,
with Joy. Enthusiastically she cried:
This is great for Howard. What
a blessing you didn't destroy I'll What
q wretch, what a hound to write you
like that Poor soul. of course, you
went and begged him not to do It'll
I'D have gone myself. but think I'd
have broken an umbrella over his head
or something Geel these kind OF fell
lows breed trouble, don't they? Alive
or dead. they breed troubled What
can we do?"
Alicia rose. Her tears had disap.
peared There was a look OF fixed re-
solve In her eyes.
Howard must be cleared" she said
''and must face it--alonel"
you'll be alone all right" said An
ME thoughtfully. mr.. Jeffries will dc
as much for you as he did for his
son."
Noticing that her companion seemed
hurt by her frankness. she changed
the topic.
Honest to Godl" she exclaime,
good-naturedly. TN broken-hearted-
I'll do anything to save you from this
this public disgrace l know what Il
means-I've had my dose Of It. But
this thing has got to come out. hasn'i
itr
The bankers wife YEARLY nodded
assent
"Yes. realize that" she said. ''but
tho disgrace OF arrest--I can't stane
It. Anniel can't go to prison ever
II it's only for minute" Holding ou
trembling hand. she went on: civ,
me back the letter. I'll leave New
York to-night-I'll 90 to Europe-I1
send II to Judge Brewster from Paris.
Looking anxiously into her compan
IONS face. she pleaded: You'll trus
me to do that. won't you? Give It I,
me. please-you can trust me-"
Her hand was still extended, bu
Annie ignored It.
"No-no." she said. shaking he
head. II can't give It to you-how cal
II Do you understand what the let
ter means to me7"
Have PITY" cried the banker
wife, almost beside herself. "You cal
tell them when I'm out OF the coun
try. Don't ask me to make this sac
rifce now-don't ask me-don'ti"
Annie was beginning to lose De
tience. The woman's selfshness ar
gered her With irritation, she said
You've lost your nerve. and 20
don't know what you're saying. How
ards life comes before you-me-o
anybody. You know that"
. "Yes--yes," cried Alicia desperat,
D ly. Il know that. I'm only asking 70
to wait II ought to have left thi