Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER x.
The Last Blow.

with curious feeling of apathy. The
fact that Alice Walton regarded me
as murderer seemed only to leave
me ndifferent-unconcer to
arouse but a feeling of stupid wonder
that such thing could be possible.
But it isn't strange when you ana
lyze it. The succession of stunning
| blows, the whirlwind of disasters that
had taken me from all sides with such
bewildering rapidity dazed me. was
incapable of further emotion. The
whole inside of me was one dull.
aching pain. Another hurt could not
| be felt by my deadened nerves.
| The cough of the waiter at my
elbow brought me back to earth.
looked up. The tables that had been
empty were now occupied by chatting
men and women. I snatched the tell.
tale glass, gulped down the contents,
and rubbed the sides as put it down
Anything else, sir?" he asked re-
spectfully.
"Give me the check" I said duly.
| In the cool night air again l real
ized how dog tired l was. The terri
BILE exertions of the night before and
the few hours of sleep had had in
the morning were beginning to cry
the need of rest
Still / continued on up the avenue
as l had started, instinctively avoid
ing pedestrians whom / did not even
see.
had only one thought, and as
walked it repeated itself over and
over: Alice must understand. She
must know was not murderer.
Suddenly l found myself standing
on the corner, gazing at the hotel in a
dazed, dreamy sort Of way. When
had turned, how l came back / had
no idea. Nor did / stop to reason it
ephone booth l called up the Walton
apartments.
Her voice answered, but the tone
was one did not know.
Cant l see you for just a min
ute?" pleaded. There was no need
to give my name; something told me
she had recognized it.
| " III IL dllcI lllS IdCl. f1cT
voice was horribly calm.
Yes, yes" l cried. II want to
explain. You-must see mel"
"Must?"
"Please!" 1 prayed. Don't con.
denim me without hearing a
friend,"
"a friend?" heard her murmur
and l did not breathe in the short
silence that followed. II will hear
you-but it can make no difference"
Thanks, thanks." muttered
brokenly.
The elevator seemed maddeningls
slow, and forced myself to walk
slowly when | wanted to run.
knocked at the door of the apartment
heard her voice, and entered.
She was standing in the center o.
the room. Her eyes met mine coldly
her body was tensely erect; the hanC
that rested on the small table wa!
clenched and white-kruckled; but II
her pose there was no sign of fear
nor was there fright in the eyes tha
looked at the man she thought mur
derer.
"Your explanation, Mr.. Haviland!'
she asked evenly.
"I am Innocent" blurted.
"Your explanation, Mr.. Haviland?
she repeated in that same cold, evel
tone.
81 did not do it. The whole thinl
was a trick! The man who"
stopped Something inside of M
seemed to wake up then. could no
explain.
could not tell her of Mike GaI
ven's plot without telling all. And th
price of my life was two hundre,
thousand dollars of her fathers mon
ey!
Your explanation, Mr.. Haviland?
Still that unvarying tone and ques
tion.
81 can't explain now." I sal
hopelessly, eyes on the floor.
Can't" Scorn deep vibran
scorn was in her voice.
won't you believe me, Alice"
The name slipped from my lips be
fore could hold it back. She shranl
back as though l had struck her
blow.
"You call me that name!" she whis
pered. "You - murderer"
White-lipped l went then.
"I'm not Pm not!" repeated tn
words childishly. l couldn't think c
anything else to say. My vaunte
coolness, the years of playing m
games OF lies. my smooth talk wer
useless before this brown-eyed, scorI
ful-eyed girl.
"Did the thumb-print lie, then7
she asked contemptuously.
"Yes." cried eagerly.