The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-01-17

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"A. few minutes?" he said. Again
he looked at her and then shook his
head resignedly. well: it's certainly
infectfous!" he exclaimed. IT believe
you again" -
The door opened and Alicia appeared.
The lawyer advanced politely to greet
her. IS.
Good evening, Mrs. Jetfries."
Alicia shook hands with him, at the
same time looking inquiringly at An
ME. who, by a quick gesture, told her
that the Judge knew nothing OF her
secret. The lawyer went on:
mrs. Jefries. Jr., wishes to speak
to you. I said I thought there'd be
no objection: you don't mind. May
she?"
Eyes," murmured Alicia.
"Your husband was here" said the
Judge.
my husband" she cried, startled.
Again she glanced inquiringly at An.
ME and tried to force a smile.
eyes," said the lawyer; he'll be
glad to know you're here. I'll tell
him" Turning to Annie, he said:
when you're ready, please send
and"
Very we'll, judge"
The lawyer went out and Alicia
turned round breathlessly.
my husband was here?" she e1.
claimed.
Yes"
You've told Mr.. Brewster nothing?"
Annie shook her head. =,
II Couldn't" she said. IT tried to,
but l couldn't. 1t seems SO hard, doesn't
tt?". Alicia laughed bitterly and An
ME went n 81 was afraid you weren't
coming!",A rg -..-
1.-The train was late!"" exclaimed Al
icia evasiyely, IT went up to SIAM
ford to say good-by to my mother"
ITO say Goodbye" echoed her com
panion In surprise. T V
"Yes," said the other tearfully. II
have said good-by to her--I have said
good-by to everybody-to everything
to myself must give them all up
l must give myself up"
"Oh. 1t isn't as bad as that, surely?"
Alicia shook her head sadly.
YES" she said; I've reckoned 1t
all up. It's a total loss. Nothing will
be saWed-husband, home. position,
good name-all will 60. You'll see. I
shall be torn into little bits of shreds.
They won't leave anything .unsaid. But
It's not that I care for SO much. It's
the injustice Of 1t all. The injustice
Of the power of evil. This man Under.
wood never did a good action In all
his life. And now even after he is
dead he has the power to go on de-
That's true,'' said Annie; he was
no good" ~.
The bankers wife drew from her
bosom the letter Underwood wrote
her before he killed hir elf.
when he sent me this letter." she
went on, II tried to think myself into
'Ihis condition Of mind, SO that I could
decide whether, he intended to keep
his word and kill himself Or not. ]
tried to reason out just how he felt
and how he thought. Now / know.
It's hopeless, dull, sodden dsspera
ton. i haven't even the ambition to
defend myself from Mr.. Jeffries."
Annie shrugged her shoulders.
II wouldn't lose any sleep on his
account" she said with a laugh. More
seriously she added: Surely he won't
believe"
"He may not believe anything him.
self" said Alicia. It's what other peo.
pie are thinking that will make him
suffer. If the circumstances were only
a little less disgraceful-a suicides
last letter to the woman he loved.
They'll say / drove him to it. They
won't think of his miserable, lisbon
est career. They'll only think of my
share In his death" G.r.
Annie shook her head sympathetic
ally. l... q
Yes she said;! its tough! The
worst of 1t is they are going to arrest
you"
Alicia turned ashen pale.
ARREST mel" she cried. "
That's what Capt. Clinton says
replied the other 'gravely; He war
here-he is here now-with two men
waiting for you" Alphabetically she
went on: at wasn't my fault, Mrs
Jeffries-I didn't mean to. What
could I do? When / told Judge Brew.
ster, he sent for Capt. Clinton. The
police are afraid you'll run away or
something"
And my husband" gasped Alicia;
"he doesn't know, does he?"
mo, | didn't tell them. I said you'd
tell them yourself. but they won't
trust you when they know who you
are. Let's tell the judge-he may
think of a plan. Suppose you go away
until" Puzzled herself to find a way
out of the dilemma, Annie paced the
floor nervously, "Oh, this is awful"
she exclaimed. What are we to do?"
She looked toward Alicia, as If e. Z.
pecting some suggestion from her, but
her companion was too much over.
whelmed to take any initiative.
(To BE coNTINUED.)
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