The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-09-30
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LETTER FROM ALICE WHIT
NEY TO ALICE GRAVES HAM
ILT0N. CONTINUED

NEY TO ALICE GRAVES HAM
ILToN, CONTINUED
Going back to the time when Les
lie was married, Mother dear, and
found out that Karl had for years
been collecting that string Of pearls
hat was the beginning of all my
troubles. At that time, in my foolish
head was born the idea that if
managed to find some way for Karl
to give these pearls which in a way
were a rosary Of the years Of Karrs
life, to Leslie, he would be forever
grateful to me. At that time I did
not realize that perhaps the sight of
those pearls about my sisters neck
would unloose CHI emotions OF
jealousy that l would not be myself.
/ only thought that the planning
and putting into execution Of ways
and means in the giving to Leslie of
this necklace would give me a secret
in company with Karl. besides more
or less confidential conversations
with him.
Oh, mother dear, I know it was a
wild scheme, but I was hardly more
an a child AS I think of it now /
have almost decided that the only
mature thing about me was my
great love for Karl.
Besides, Betty Stokely and had
ideas at that time of writing the
Great American Novel and the pearl
necklace episode seemed to me to be
an original and wonderful chapter to
put in it, The giving Of the imita-
ton pearls TO Leslie from me seemed
to be most romantic. l did not think
far enough ahead to realize she must
inevitably find out they were real.
Poor Karn! You know his ideahstic
nature, mother. For fifteen years he
had been collecting these baubles for
Leslie, and they represented go much
to him, he snatched at any plan to
get them into her possession. He
seemed to think that with Leslie 8
marriage his life was Overland he.
too. was still young enough to be
romantic.
You know the rest. You know
how I gave them to her on the
morning of her wedding day. OF
course. neither Of us expected the
complications that followed
Then l went to England and Karl
came over soon after. Finally l
brought out proposal of marriage
from him. All the while the ghost
of Karl's first love lowered about
and scourged my jealous fears into
a veritable torment.
When we came back from abroad
and l found that Karl had bought
back some of the jewels that Leslie
had sold. think | went mad. Then.
of course as you know. l descended
TO that most dastardly OF actions. the
writing Of an anonymous letter to
John.
Mother. I do not know why I did
II. =, haven't the slightest idea OF
what good l thought it would do me
then. I expect it was the hope 1
might make Leslie as miserable as /
was. You see, was sure Karl still
loved Leslie: Of that ! am not so sure
now. But of one thing | am sure
Karl has lost all the little love he
had for me.
Mother. I made him marry me by
avowing my intention OF killing my
self if he did not. Now l have his
name. I have hts wealth. I have his
social Difference and polite attention.
but that is all. L have not his love
nor his respect
Mother, you still love me little.
do you not? Tell me what to do.
You may show this letter TO Leslie
II you wish, but please. please do not
tell Dad. It would kill me to have
him lose faith in his little girl
Perhaps some day you will get
your faith back. for. strange as It
may seem. I love you all, and I want
YOU 10 love ALICE.
Copyright. 1924. NEA Service, Inc.)
NEXT: Letter from James Com
don to Sally AthertOn.