The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-01-24
CHAPTER Xvlll.-continued.

TT does stun one, doesn't it," went
on Annie. "You can't think when 1t
comes all Of q sudden like this. It's
Just the way I felt the morning they
showed me Towards confession
Prison! Prison." walled Alicia
Annie tried to console her.
Not for long," she said soothingly;
you can get bail. It's only a matter
OF favor-Judge Brewster would get
you out right away.
Get me Quit" cried Alicia distract
eddy. MY God! I can't go to prison!
I can't! That's too much. I've done
nothing! Look-read this!" Handing
over Underwood's letter, she went on:
You can see for yourself. The wretch
frightened me into such a state OF
mind that I hardly knew what was
doing-I went to his rooms to save
him. That's the truth. l swear to
God! But do you suppose anybody
will believe me on oath? They'll
they'll"
Almost hysterical. she no longer
knew what she was saying or doing.
She collapsed utterly, and sinking
down In a chair, gave way to a pas
sionate fit of sobbing. Annie tried to
quiet her:
"Hush!" she said gently, don't go
on like that. Be brave. Perhaps 1t
won't be as bad as you think" She
unfolded the letter Alicia had given
her and carefully read 1t through.
When she had finished her face lit up
with Joy. Enthusiastically she cried:
This is great for Howard! What
\ blessing you didn't destroy 1t! What
= wretch, what a hound to write you
like that! Poor soul. OF course, you
went and begged him not to do It!
I'd have gone myself, but l think I'd
have broken an umbrella over his head
OF something Gee! these kind OF fell
lows breed trouble, don't they? Alive
or dead, they breed trouble! What
can we do?" ..
Alicia rose. Her tears had disap-
peared. There was q look Of fixed re-
solve in her eyes.
Howard must be cleared" she said,
''and | must face it-alone!"
You'll be alone all right" said An
ME thoughtfully. MI. Jefries will do
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 Cod" she exclaimed
good-naturedly, I'm broken-hearted-
IN do anything to "a you from this
this public disgrace. l know what It
means-I've had my dose Of It. But
this thing has got to come out, hasn't
IT."
The bankers wife YEARLY nodded
assent.
YES, I realize that" she said, but
the disgrace of arrest-I can't stand
II, Annie! l can't 60 to prison even
II it's only for a minute" Holding out
q trembling hand. she went on: Give
me back the letter. I'll leave New
York to-night-Im go to E%urope--Ill
send it to Judge Brewster from Paris"
Looking anxiously into her compan-
ions face, she pleaded: You'll trust
me to do that, won't you? Give 1t to
me. please-you can trust me-"
Her hand was still extended, but
Annie ignored 1t.
"No-no," she said, shaking her
head, 81 can't give 1t to you-how can
/? Do you understand what he let
ter means to me-"
Have pity" cried the bankers
wife, almost beside herself. You can
tell them when I'm out OF the coun'
try. Don't ask me to make this sac
rifce now-don't ask me~dont!'
Annie was beginning to lose pa
thence. The woman's selfshness an
gered her. With irritation. she said:
you've lost your nerve. and you
dent know what you're saying. How
ards life comes before you-me-ol
anybody. You know that"
"Yes-yes." cried Alicia desperate
", Il know that. I'm only asking 20,
to wait. IL ought to have left this