The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-29
CHAPTER VII.

too much overcome by emotion u
speak. Alicia brushed by in naughty
silence, not deigning to look at him.
All he heard was tue soft rustic Of
her clinging silk gown as It swept
along the floor. She was incensed
with him, of course, but she had
come. That was all. he asked. She
had come In time to save him. he
would TALK 10 her and explain every
thing and she would understand
She would help him In this crisis as
she had in the past. Their long
friendship, all these years OF intimacy
could not end like this. There was
still hope for him. The situation was
not as desperate as he feared. he
might yet avert the shameful end Of
the suicide. Advancing toward her
be said in a hoarse whisper:
"oh, this is good of you, you've
come-this Is the answer to my let
ter"
Alicia ignored his extended hand
and took q seat. Then. turning on
him, she exclaimed Indignantly:
1.-The answer should be a horse
whip. How dare you send me such
a message" Drawing from her bag
the letter received from him that
evening, she demanded:
What do you expect to gain ny
this threat?"
Don't be angry, Alicia"
Underwood spoke ysOothingly, trying
to conciliate her. Well he knew the
seductive power Of bis voice. Often
he had used it and not in vain. but
tonight It fell on cold, Indifferent
ears.
Don't call me by that NAME" she
snapped.
Underwood made 40 answer. llc
turned slightly paler and, folding bis
arms, just looked at her, in silence
There was an awkward pause.
AT last she said: ,,-a.
a hope you understand that every
things over between us. Our ac'
Quaintance is at an end"
"My feelings toward you can never
change" replied Underwood earnest
ly. Il love you'll shall always love
you"
Alicia gave a little shrug OF heI
shoulders, expressive Of utter indiheF
ence.
"Love!" she exclaimed mockingly
you love no one but yourself"
Underwood advanced nearer to her
and there was a tremor In his voice
rs he said:
you have no right 10 say that. YOU
remember what we once were. Whose
fault is 1t. that l am where am TO-
day? When you broke our engage
ment and married old Jeffries to graft
fy your social ambition, yon ruined my
life. You didn't destroy my loVe-you
couldn't kill that. You may forbid me
everything Ito see ,yOH--to speak te
you-even to think Of you, but cur
never forget that you are the only
woman ever, cared for. II you haC
married me, I might have been dit
ferent man. And now, just when
want you most. you deny me even you
friendship. What have l done TO de
serve such treatment? Is it fair? Is
It just?"
Alicia had. listened with growing I'M
patience, It was only with difficult!
that she contained herself. Now she
interrupted him hotly:
# broke my engagement with YOU
because found that you were deceiv
ing Ine-just as you deceived others.
ITS a lle!n broke in Underwood. :"
may have trihed with others, but
never deceived you"
Alicia rose and, crossing the room
oarelessy inspected one OF the pic
lures on the wall, study of the nude
by Bouguereau.
1--WE need not go into that" she said
hauEhtily. THAT is all over now.
came to ask you what this letter-thls
threatZmeans. What do you expect
to gain by taking your life unless
continue 10 be your friend? How cal
| be friend 10 man like you? YOU
know what your friendship for won
an means II means that you would
drag her down to your own level ant
disgrace her US well as yourself
Thank Cod, my eyes are now opened
TO your true character No self'rf
specting woman could afford to allow
her name to be associated with yours
You are as incapable Of disinterested
friendship as you are Oi'common hon
esty." Colby she added y hope yot
quite understand that henceforth ms
house is closed to, you. II we happen
10 meet In public. 1t must be as stran
gers"
Underwood did not speak. Words
seemed to fail him. His face WAS sci
and white A nervous twitehing about
the mouth showed the terrible mental
Ito DC Continued Tomorrow
"a.