The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-06-14

a CRATER, bribe-taker, working hand
and glove with dishonest politicians,
not hesitating even to divide loot with
thieves and dive-keepers in his greed
for wealth. He proved him to be a
Gonsummate liar, a man who would
stop at nothing to gain his own ends.
What jury would take the word of
such a man as this? Yet this was the
man who still insisted that Howard
Jeffries was guilty of the shooting
of Robert Underwood!
But public opinion was too intelli-
gent to be hoodwinked for any length
OF time By brutal and ignorant po-
Hceman. There was clamor for the
prisoners release. The evidence was
such that further delay was inexcus-
able. The district attorney, thus
urged, took an active interest in the
case, and after going over the new evil
dence with Judge Brewster, went be-
fore the court and made formal ap-
plication for the dismissal of the COM
plant. A few days later Howard JEFF
fries left the Tombs amid the cheers
of crowd assembled outside. At his
side walked his wife, now smiling
through tears of joy.
1t was a glad homecoming to the
little fiat in Harlem. To Howard, aft
er spending so long a time in the
narrow prison quarters, It seemed like
paradise. and Annie walked on air, so
delighted was she to have him with
her again. Yet there were still anxi-
cites to cloud their happiness. The
close confinement, with its attendant
worry, had seriously undermined How
ards health. He was pale and atten-
uated, and so weak that he had sew
eral fainting spells. Much alarmed,
Annie summoned DR.. Bernstein, who
administered tonic. There was moth
ing to cause anxiety, he said, reas-
suringly. 1t was a natural reaction
after what her husband had under
gone. But it was worry as much
as anything else. Howard worried
about his father. with whom he was
only partially reconciled; he worried
about his future, which was as pre-
carious as ever. and most of all he
worried about his wife. He was not
ignorant of the circumstances which
had brought about his release, and
while liberty was sweet to him, 1t had
been a terrible shock when he first
heard that she was the woman who
had visited Underwopd's rooms. He
refused to believe her sworn evidence.
How was 1t possible? Why should she
go to Underwood's rooms knowing he
was there? 1t was preposterous. Still
the small voice rang in his ears-per-
haps she's untrue! 1t haunted him
till one day he asked point-blank for
an explanation. Then she told that
she had perjured herself. She was not
the woman. Who she really was she
could not say. He must be satisfied
for the present with the assurance
that it was not his wife. With that
he was content What did he care for
the opinion of others? He knew-that
was enough! In their conversation on
the subject Annie did not even men
ton Alicia's name. Why should she?"
Weeks passed, and Towards health
did not improve. He had tried to find
a position, but without success, yet
every day brought its obligations
which had to be met One morning
Annie was bustling about their tiny
dining room preparing the table for
their frugal luncheon. She had Just
placed the rolls and butter on the
table. and arranged the chairs, when
there came a ring at the front door