The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-07
CHAPTER XVIII,

AS Annie entered the room and
caught sight Of Mr. Jeffries, she in
stinctively drew back. Just at that
moment the banker was, perhaps, the
one man in the world whom she was
most anxious to avoid. Capt. Clinton
no longer had any terror for her. Now
that the missing witness had been
found and the precious suicide let
Ter was as good as in their possession
there was nothing more to fear. 1t
was only question OF time when
Howard would be set free. But
IL was not in this girls nature
TO be concerned only with her
self. III she possessed a single wom-
anly virture, it was supreme unselfsh-
ness. There was some one beside her
self to take into considerations
poor, vacillating, weak, miserable
woman who wished to do what was
right and had agreed to do so, but
who, in the privacy of her own apart
ments, had gone down on her knees
and begged Annie to protect her from
the consequences of her own folly.
Her husband must not know. Annie
had promised that if there was any
way possible the knowledge of that
clandestine midnight visit to Under.
woods rooms should be kept from
lin. Yet there stood the banker!
She was afraid that if they began
questioning her in his presence she
might be betrayed into saying some
thing that would instantly arouse his
suspicious.
Judge Brewster went quickly for
ward as she came in and led her to a
chair. Capt. Clinton and Mr.. Jeffries
eyed her in stolid silence. Looking
around in nervous kind of way. An
ME said quietly to the Judge:
May | speak to you alone, judge?"
Certainly" replied the lawyer.
He was about to draw her aside
when Capt. Clinton interfered.
One moment" he said gruf1y; If
this is ali open and above board. as
you say it is, judge-Td like to ask
the young lady a few questions.
Certainly, by all means" said the
Judge quickly.
The captain turned and confronted
Annie. Addressing her in his Gus
tomary aggressive manner, he said:
You promised Judge Brewster thar
you'd produce the woman who called
at Underwood's apartment the night
of the shooting?" Annie made nc
reply, but looked at the lawyer. The
captain grinned as he added: 1.-THE
witness wants instructions, Judge"
You can be perfectly frank, Mrs
Jeffries," said the lawyer reassuringly
We have no desire to conceal any.
thing from Capt. Clinton"
Annie bowed.
YES she said slowly; Il promised
Judge Brewster that she would come
here tonight"
Did she promise to comes" growled
the captain
Yes"
We'll, where is she?" he demanded.
She hasn't come yet" she replied,
but she will. I'm sure-I know she
will"
How did you come to find herr"
demanded the captain suspiciously.
Annie hesitated moment and
glanced at Mr.. Jeffries Then she
said hesitatingly:
That II cannot say-now."
Capt. Clinton's massive bulldog Jaw
closed with an ominous click.
Decline to answer, eh? What's her
name?"
She remained silent.
What's her name?" he repeated
impatiently.
Il cannot tell you" she said firmly
do you know it?" he beloved
Yes" she answered quietly.
know it, but can't say, eh? Hum,'
lie folded his arms and glared at
her. Mr.. Jeffries now interfered. Ad-
dressing Annie angrily, he said:
but you must speak, Do YOU real.
ize that my sons life is at stalker"
Yes, do" she replied quickly.
I'm glad to see that you are begin.
ming to realize it, too But | can't
tell you yet"