The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-10

oners were confined. AS a matter Of
fact, the cells have no windows. only
grating which looks directly out into
the circular corridor.
AT the fourth floor the elevator
stopped and the heavy iron door
swung back
This way said the keeper, step
ping ont and quickly Walking along
the corridor; He's In cell No. 45G."I
Z A lump rose in Armies throat. The
place was well ventilated, yet she
thought she would faint from cho'
king feeling of restraint, All along
the corridor to the left were iron
doors painted yellow In the upper
part OF the door were half a dozen
broad Sits through which one could
see what was going on inside.
Those are the cells" volunteered
her guide.
Annie shuddcrcd MS. mentally. she
pictured Howard locked up In such a
dreadful place. She peered through
one OF the Sits and saw a narrow cell
about ten feet long by six wide. The
only furnishings were folding cot
With blanket, wash bowl and Lawn
tory. Each cell had its occupant, men
and youths Of all ages. Some were
reading. some playing cards. Some
were lying asleep on their cots, per,
haps dreaming Of home, but most oil
them. leaning dejectedly against the
iron bars wondering when they would
regain their liberty.
Where are the womell?" asked
Annie, trying to keep down the lump
that rose chokingly in her throat,
They're in separate part Of the
prison" replied the keeper.
Isn't Il DREADFUL" she lnurmured.
Not at ALL" he exclaimed cheer
fully. "'rhese prisoners fare better IN
prison than they do outside. wager
some of them are sorry to leave"
But its dreadful to be cooped up
in those little cells. iSn't'lt?' she said.
mot so bad as 1t looks" he laughed.
"They are allowed TO come out in the
corridor to exercise twice day for an
hour and there is splendid shower
bath they can take"
Where is my husbands cell?" she
whispered, almost dreadIng to hear
the reply.
There 1t is" he said, pointing to a
door. mo. 45G."
Walking rapidly ahead Of her and
stopping at one OF the cell doors, lie
raped loudly on the iron grating and
cried:
"IeKrIes, here's a lady come to see
you. Wake up there!"
A white drawn face approached the
grating. Annie sprang forward.
Howard" she sobbed.
rs 1t YOU AnnIe?" came weak
voice through the bars.
Cant go in to him?" she asked
.pleadingly.
The keeper shook his head.
mo, MN, you must talk through
the bars, but wont disturb YOU"
He walked away and the husband
and wife we're left facing each other.
The tears were streaming down An
MES cheeks. 1t was dreadful to be
standing there so close and Yet not
be able to throw her arms around him.
Her heart ached as she saw the dis.
tress in his wan, pale face.
why didn't you come before% he
asked.
"a could not. They wouldn't let me.
Oh, Howard" she gaSped. What a
dreadful thing this is! Tell me how
you got into such .scrape!"
He put his hand to his head as il 1t
hurt him, and she noticed that his
eyes looked queer. For moment the
agony OF terrible suspicion crossed
her mind. Was 1t possible that IN u
moment Of drunken recklessness he
had shot Underwood? Quickly, almost
breathlessly, she whispered to him:
TELL me quickly, tbs not true, is it?
You did not kill Robert Underwood
He shook his head.
NO" he said.
THANK God for that" she en-
CLAIMED. But your conression-what
does that nlean?" ..
Il do not know. They told me did
It. They insisted ! did It. He was
sure / did 1t. He told me he knew |
did 1t. lie showed ME the pistol. lie
was so lRsstent that though It he was
rlght-thatl had done It," h deep
whisper he added earnestly: But
you know didn't, don't you?"
Who Is he?" demanded Annie.
1.-The police captain"
"Oh, Capt Clinton told you you
did IT," ~
Howard nodded.
Yes, he told me he knew | did it.
He kept me standing there six hours,
questioning and questioning until J
was ready to drop. | tried to sit
down; he made me stand up. ] did
not know what was saying or doing.
He told me | killed Robert Under
wood. lie showed me the pistol unde.'
the strong light. The reflection from
the polished nickel flashed into my
eyes, everything suddenly became a
blank. A few moments later the cor!
oner came In and Capt, Clinton told
him | confessed. But it isn't true, An
mic Ynli know | am as innocent of