Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A PtfMB?TOf E (0)7 ^CHAjaXS KLON . Y w ARTHlJpDrIORNBLOW Y nXy5TRAT10N5 B\ RAY WALTER* "Well. wh?re't your mysterious wit* if demanded the captain sarcas? tically Ha looked curiously st Alicia Thin Is Mrs. Howard Jeffries. Sr.." said Annie, "my husbsnd's step mother The captain made a deferenttsl sa? lute. Bully as he was. he knew how to he courteous when It suited his purpose. He had heard enough of the wealthy banker's aristocratic wife to treat her with respect. * "Beg pardon, m'm; I wanted to tell the Judge I was going.** The ierrant entered. "Tell Judge Brewster that Cspt Clinton It going." said Annie. Alicia, meantime, was once more on the verge of collapse. The long threatened expose was now at hand. In another moment the judge and per aa|ts her husband would :orae in. and Anale would hand them the letter which exculpated her husband. There wan a moment of terrible suspense. Annie stood aloof, her eres fixed on <BC ?oor Suddenly, without uttering a word, she drew Underwood's letter ?m o her bosom, and quickly approach? ing All da. placed It unnoticed in her hand The banker's wife flushed and tto'n t'irned pale. She understood. Annie -would spare her Her lips . rart d *o protest. Even she was taken i?*ce a* such an exhibition of unself .a* - ? ? tsbness as this. She began to stam- j sser thanks, "No. ao." whispered Annie quickly, "gout thank me, keep it." Capt. Clinton turned round with a fser. Insolently, he said to Annie: Ton might as well ova up?you've stayed a trick on us all.** "No, Capt Clinton." she replied with quiet dignity; "I told you the simple truth Naturally you don't be? lters It" "The simple truth may do for Judge shrewstet." grinned the policeman, "hut It won't do for me. I never ex? pected this mysterious witness, who going to prove that Underwood imltted suicide, to make an ap? pearance did I. at aloney Why not? sascauee. beting your pardon for amounting your word, there's no such person " "Wegging your pardon for disputing vour word, captain." she retorted, taitstcktng him, "there is such a per "Then where Is she?" he demanded Uy. Annie made no answer, but !**r.ked for advice to Judge Brewster, who at that instant entered the room. The captain glared at her viciously, ahd unable to longer contain his wrath, he bellowed: "I'll tell you where she Is! She's fight here In this room!" Pointing ! has finger st Annie In theatrical l'ash trm. he went on furiously- "Annie Jeff rtee. you're the woman who visited Underwood the night of his death! I don't hesitate to say so. I've said so ail along, haven't I. Maloney?" Tee, yoti told the newspapers so." retorted Annie dryly. Taking no notice of her remark, the espialn blustered. "I've got your record, young worn as! I know all about you and your fesau. Tou knew the two men when they wire st college. You knew Un ieraood before you made the ac Sjnalntance of young Jeffries. It was Underwood who Introduced you to your husband It wss Underwood who aroused your husband's jealousy. Tou went to his rooms that night. Tewr husband followed you there, and the shooting took place'" Turning to lodge Brewster. he added, with a sar? castic grin: "False confession, eh? Hypnotism, eh? I guess It's Interna? tional and constitutional law for jours after this." ?Tou don't ssy so?" exclaimed An? nas. Initsted st the man's intolerable ftasol?nce. Judge Brewster held up a restrain tag hand "Please say nothing." he ssid with dignity "No. I gu?as I'll 1st him Hufe Go est. captain." she said with a amlle, mm If thoroughly enjoying the situs * Alicia f*m* forward, her face pale, hat on It a look of determination, as tf she had quite made up her mind as as what course to pursue. In her hand was Underwood's letter. Ad? dressing Annie, she said, with emo "The truth must come out soorn-r or later fleeing what she was shout to do, Anote quickly put out her hand to atop her She expected the banker's wife to do h? r duty. ahr? bad Insisted that she gSBBt, but now she was ready %o do if i p ill/.ed what It was cost her Her position, her future hap were at stake. It was too gr? at a ssMTlfb I'erhr* there was Bono e*h?>r way "No, SO, not yet," she whispered ggf] gNeig brushed her aside nnd. thrust 11' hi VStsSff Into the hard of the poUee captain, she snM I eg BOwi It* ad thst, captain!' Qggd (Tlnton slowly unfolded 'he i \ if la collapsed In a chair sir. It. I. Manmng bus goua to Annie stood by helplese, but trying to collect her wits. The judge watched the scene with amazement, not under standing The captain read from the letter: "'Dear Mrs. Jeffries." He stopped, and glancing at the signature, ex? claimed, "Robert Underwood!" Look? ing significantly at Annie, he exclaim? ed: "'Dear Mrs. Jeffrlea!' Is that con elusive enough? What did I tell you?" Continuing to peruse the letter, he read on: "Shall be found dead to? morrow ? suicide ??" He stopped abort and frowned. "What's this? Why, this is a barefaced forgery!" Judge Brewster quickly snatched the letter from his hand and, glancing over It quickly, said: "Permit me. This belongs to my ' client." I Capt. Clinton's prognathous Jaw ' snapped to with a click, and he I squared his massive shoulders, as he usually did when preparing for hos? tilities: "Now, Mrs. Jeffries," he said sharp? ly. TU trouble you to go with me to headquarter?." Annie and Alicia both stood up "Howard's Life Comes Before You? Me?or Anybody." Jadge Brewster quickly objected. I "Mrs. Jeffries will not go with you," he said quietly. "She has made no at? tempt to leave the state." ; "She's wanted at police headquat ters." said the captain doggedly. "She'll be there to-morrow morn lng." "She'll be there to-night." He looked steadily at the Judge, and the latter calmly returned his stare. There followed an awkward pause, and then the captain turned on bis heel to depart. "The moment she attempts to leave the house," he growled. "I shall ar? rest her. Good-night, Judge." "Goodnight, captain!" cried Annie mockingly. "I'll see you later," he muttered "Come on, Maloney." The door banged to. They were alone. "What a sweet disposition V laugh ed Annie. Judge Brewster looked sternly at her. Holding up the letter, he said: "What Is the meaning of this? You are not the woman to whom this let ter is addressed?" "No," stammered Annie, "that Is?" The Judge Interrupted her. Sternly he asked: "Is It your intention to go on the witness stand and commit perjury?" "I don't know. I never thought of that," she faltered. The Judge turned to Allcia. | "Are you going to allow her to do so, Mrs. Jeffries?" I "No, no," cried Alicia, quickly: "1 never thought of such a thing." "Then I repeat?is it your intention to perjure yourself?" Annie was si? lent, and he went on: "I assume it Is, but let me ask you: Do you ex? pect me. as your counsel, to become particeps crlminis to this tissue ot lies? Am I expected to build up a false structure for you to swear to? Am I?" "I don't know; I haven't thought oi It," replied Annie. "If it can be done, why not? I'm glad you suggested It." "I suggest It?" exclaimed the law? yer, scandalized. "YeB," cried Annie with growing exaltation; "it never occurred to me till you spoke. Kverybody says I'm the woman who called on ILnbert I n I derwood that night. Well, that's all . right. Let th? in < < ntlnue to think so. What difference does It make so long as Howard is set free?" (ioing to ward the door, she said: MGood night, Mrs Jeffrh s!" The judge tried to bar her way. "lH?n't go." he ?aid; "('apt. ('Un? ion's nu n are waiting OUtSlde." "That doesn't matter!" i.he cried. ? Hut you must not go!' exclaimed the lawyer In a tone of command. "I won t allow It. They'll arrest you! *1rs Jeff lies, you'll plccse remain here." Bui Annie was already e.t the door, 'I wouldn't keep Capt Clinton W?lfing f/Of the world*" she cried. "Good in 'it. Judge Brewster, and Qod bless you!" d< Of slummed, ami she was jWa/h ii i"u and Philadelphia, Where ? gone. CHAPTER XIX. The Jeffries case suddenly entered into an entirely new phase, and once more was deemed of sufficient public interest to warrant column after col? umn of spicy comment in the news- ] papers. The town awoke one morn? ing to learn that the long-sought-for witness, the mysterious woman on whose testimony everything hinged, had not only been found.but proved to be the prisoner's own wife, who had been so active In his defense. This announcement was stupefying enough to overshadow all other news of the day, and satisfied the most jaded palate for sensationalism. The first question asked on all sides was: Why had not the wife come for ward before? The reason, as glibly explained by an evening journal of somewhat yellow proclivities, was log? ical enough. The telling of her mid? night visit to a single man's rooms Involved a shameful admission which any woman might well hesitate to make unless forced to It as a last extremity. Confronted, however, with the alternative of either seeing her husband suffer for a crime of which he was Innocent or making public ac? knowledgment of her own frailty, she nad cnosen xne tatter course. Nat? urally, It meant divorce from the bank? er's son, and undoubtedly this was the solution most wished for by the family. The whole unsavory affair conveyed a good lesson to reckless young men of wealth to avoid entangling them? selves In undesirable matrimonial ad? ventures. But it v:as no less certain, went on this journalistic mentor, that this wife, unfaithful as she had proved herself to be, had really rendered her husband a signal service in her pres? ent scrape. The letter she had pro? duced, written to her by Underwood che day before his death, In which he stated his determination to kill him? self, was, of course, a complete vindi? cation for the man awaiting trial. His liberation now depended only on how quickly the ponderous machinery of the law could take cognizance of this new and most important evidence. The new turn of affairs was nat trally most distasteful to the police. If there was one thing more than mother which angered Capt. Clinton It was to take the trouble to build up a case only to have it suddenly demol? ished. He scoffed at the "suicide let? ter," safely committed to Judge Brew ster's custody, and openly branded it as a forgery concocted by an immoral vornan for the purpose of defeating rhe ends of justice. He kept Annie a ?risoner and defied the counsel for > he defense to dd their worst. Judge Irewster, who loved (he fray, accept? ed the challenge. He scted promptly. !Ie secured Annie'.- -p:n^P on habeas corpus proceedings and. Iiis civil suit against the city having already begun in the courts, he suddenly called Capt. Clinton to the stand and gave him a grilling which more than atoned for any which the police tyrant had pre? viously mads his victims suffer. In the limelight of a sensational trial, In , which public servants were charged with abusing positions of trust, he j showed Capt. Clinton up as a bully and g grafter, a bribe-taker, working hand and glove with dishonest politicians, not hesitating even to divide loot with thieves and dive-keepers in his greed for wenlth. He proved him to be a consummate liar, a man who would stop at nothing to gain his own ends. What jury would take the word of ?nth a man as this? Yet this was the ' man who still insisted that Howard Jeffries was guilty of the shooting of Robert Underwood! ' But public opinion was too intelli? gent to be hoodwinked for any length of time by a brutal and ignorant DO- | liceman. There was a clamor for the prisoner's release. The evidence was inch that further delay was inexcus? able. The district attorney, thus urged, took an active interest in the case, and after going over the new evi- j dence with Judge Brewster, went be fore the court and made formal ap? plication for the dismissal of the com- . plaint. A few days later Howard Jef fries left the Tombs amid the cheers of a crowd assembled outside. At his 1 side walked his wife, now smiling through tears of joy. It was a glad home-coming to the | little flat in Harlem. To Howard, aft? er spending so long a time In the narrow prison quarters, it seemed like paradise, and Annie walked on air, so 1 delighted was she to have him with her again. Yet there were still anxi? eties to cloud their happiness. The i close confinement, with its attendant i worry, had seriously undermined How- j ard's health. He was pale and atten? uated, and so weak that he had sev? eral fainting spells. Much alarmed, Annie summoned Dr. Bernstein, who administered a tonic. There was noth? ing to cause anxiety, he said, reas? suringly. It was a natural reaction after what her husband had under? gone. But It was worry as much as anything else. Howard worried about his father, with whom he was only partially reconciled; he worried about his future, which was as pre? carious as ever, and most of all he Worried nbout his wife. He was not Ignorant ol the circumstances which had brought aboul his release, and while liberty WtS sweet to him, it had been a terrible shoek when he hist heard that she was the woman who bad visited Underwood's rooms. Ho refused to believe her BWOrn evidence. How was It possible? Why should she gQ to Underwood's rooms knowing he was there0 It was preposterous. Still the small voice rung in bis ears?per? haps she's untrue! It haunted him till one day in- asked point blank for gg explanation. Thin slm told that she had perjun <i herself, sh< w as not the woman Who she really was she could not say. He must be satisfied he Will le for the fest of the Week. I for the present with the assurance that it was not hi3 wife. With that i he was content. What did he care for I the opinion of others? He knew?that was enough! In their conversation on the subject Annie did not even men? tion Alicia's name. Why should she?" Weeks past ed, and Howard's health did not improve. He had tried to find a position, but without success, yet every day brought its obligations which had to be met. One morning Annie was bustling about their tiny dining room preparing the table for their frugal luncheon. She had Just I placed the rolls and butter on the table, and arranged the chairs, when there came a ring at the front door *jell. Early visitors were not so in | frequent as to cause surprise, so, with? out waiting to remove her apron, she j went to the door and opened it. Dr. ' Bernstein entered. | "Good morning, Mrs. Jeffries," he said, cheerily. Putting down his medi? cal bag, he asked: "How is our pa? tient this morning?" "All right, doctor. He had a splen? did night's rest. 1*11 call him." | "Never mind, I want to talk to you." Seriously, he went on: "Mrs. Jeffries, your, husband needs a change of scene. I He's worrying. That fainting spell the other day was only a symptom. I'm afraid he'll break down unless?" , "Unless what?" she demanded, anx- , iously. I He hesitated for a moment, as If un? willing to give utterance to words he knew must inflict pain. Then he Tilck'y continued: j "Your husbf r.d is under a great ; cental Mr; in. Kit InaM lty to sup? port you. hla b^n^hmonc from his j proper vrYrr h ?he . octal world is I m'-ntn" torture to hi He feels his po:;:Yn keenly T! e i^ nothing else to CCC ; y 1 ' ml. ' ' Iho *ghts of hit .tier undVo?. L'Ve .'. iiure in life. I was talking to his father last night, and?" j "And what?" she demanded, draw? ing herself up. She suspected what | was coming, and nerved herself to meet it. I "Now, don't regard me as an enemy," said the doctor in a conciliatory tone. "Mr. Jeffries inquired after his | son. Believe me, he's very anxious. He knows he did the boy a great in? justice, and he wants to make up for it." "Oh, he does?" she exclaimed, sar- j castteally. Dr.Bernstein hesitated for a moment before replying. Then he said, lightly: ! "Suppose Howard goes abroad for a j few months with his father and . mother?" "Is that the proposition?" she de? manded. The doctor nodded. "I believe Mr. Jeffries has already spoken about it to his son," he said. Annie choked back a sob and, cross- ! ing the room to conceal her emotion, stood with her back turned, looking out of the window. Her voice was trembling as she said: "He wants to separate us, I know. He'd give half his fortune to do it. Perhaps he's not altogether wrong Things do look pretty black for me, don't they? Everybody believes that my going to see Underwood that night had something to do with his suicide and led to my husband betas falsely accused. The police built up a fine ro? mance about Mr. Underwood and me ?and the newspapers! Every other day a reporter comes and asks us when the divorce is going to take i place?and who is going to institute j the proceedings, Howard or me. If j everybody would only mind their own ! business and let us alone he might 1 forget Oh, I don't mean you, doctor. ? You're my friend. You made short work of Capt Clinton and his 'con!es- j slon.' I mean people?outsiders? strangers?who don't know us, ajid don't care whether we're alive or dead; those are the people I mean. They buy a one-cent paper and they think it gives them the right to pry into I every detail of our lives." She paused for a moment, and then went on: "So you think Howard is worrying? I think, so, too. At first I thought It was because of the letter Mr. Under? wood wrote me, but I guess it's what you say. His old friends won't have anything to do with him and?he's lonely. Well, I'll talk it over with him?" "Yes?talk it over with him." "Did you promise his father you'd ask me?" she demanded. "No?not exactly," he replied, hesi? tatingly. Annie looked at him frankly. "Howard's a pretty good fellow to stand by me in the face of all that's being said about my character, isn't he, doctor? And I'm not going to stand in his light, even if it doesn't exactly make me the happiest woman in the world, but don't let It trickle into your mind that I'm doing it for his father's sake." At that moment Howard entered from the inner room. He was sur? prised to see Dr. Hornstein. "How do you feel to-day?" asked tho doctor. "First rate! Oh, I'm all right. You seo, I'm just going to eat a bite. Won't you Join us?" He sat down at the table and picked up the newspaper, while Annie busied herself with carrying in the dishes. "No, thank you." laughed the doctor. ' "It's too early for me. I've only just ' had breakfast. I dropped in to see how you were " Taking up his bag, he Bald: "Good-by! Don't get up. I can let myself out" But Annie had already opened the ' door for him. and smiled a farewell When she returned to her seat at the head of the table, and began to pour out the coffee, II?.ward Bald: ? lie's a pretty decenl fellow, Isn't he?" Mrs. McLeod, of Blshopvllle, who Placed the Rollt and Butter on the Table. "Yes," ehe replied, absent-mindedly, as she passed a cup of coffee. "He made a monkey of Capt. Clin? ton all right." went on Howard. "What did he come for?" "To see you?of course," she re? plied. "Oh, I'm all right now," he replied. Looking anxiously at his wife across the table, he said: "You're the one that needs tuning up. I heard you crying last night. You thought I was asleep, but I wasn't. I didn't say any thing because?well?I felt kind of blue myself." Annie sighed and leaned her head on her hand. Wearily she said: "I was thinking over all that we're been through together, and what j they're saying about us?M Howard threw down his newspaper impatiently. "Let them say what they like. Why ' should we care as long as we're happy?" His wife smiled sadly. "Are we happy?" she asked, gently. "Of course we are," replied How? ard. She looked up and smiled. It was good to hear him say sc, but did he mean it? Was she doing right to ; stand in the way of his career? Would he not be happier if she left him? He was too loyal to suggest it, but per haps in his heart he desired it. Look? ing at him tenderly, she went on: "I don't question your affection for me, Howard. I believe you love me, but I'm afraid that, sooner or later, you'll ask yourself the question all your friends are asking now. the ques? tion everybody seems to be asking." : "What question?" demanded How? ard. "Yesterday the bell rang and a gen- , f'emsr said he wanted to see you. I told him you were out, and he said ['d fo 1 ""'1 Fie handed me a cerr\ ^?1 ft v ' name of the news? paper J.. irj :i l." "Well?" "He asked me if it were true that 1 proceedings for a divorce were about j to be instituted. If so, when? And j could I give him any information on ; the subject? I asked him who wanted the information .and he said the read? ers of his paper?the people?I believe ; he said over a million of them. Just think, Howard! Over a million peo- ! pie, not counting your father, your friends and relations, all waiting to know why you don't get rid of me, why you don't believe me to be as bad as they think I am?" Howard raised hio hand for her to desist. "Annie?please!" he pleaded. "That's the fat:, ibn't it?" she laughed. "No." His wife's head dropped on the table. She was crying now. "I've made a hard fight, Howard," she sobbed, "but I'm going to give up. I'm through?I'm through!" Howard took hold of her hand and carried it to his lips. "Annie, old girl," he said, with some feeling, "I may be weak, I may be blind, but nobody on top of God's green earth can tell me that you're not the squarest, straightest little woman that ever lived! I don't care a damn what one million or eight million think. Supposing you had received letters from Underwood, supposing you had gone to his rooms to beg him not to kill himself?what of it? It would be for a good motive, wouldn't It? Let them talk all the bad of you they want. I don't believe a word of it?you know I don't." She looked up and smiled through her tears. "You're so good, dear," she ex? claimed. "Yes, I know you believe in me." She stopped and continued, sr.d ly: "But you're only a boy, you know. What of the future, the years to come?" Howard's face became se? rious, and she went on: "You see you've thought about it, too, and you're trying to hide it from me. But you can't. Your father wants you to go abroad with (he family." "Well?" He waited and looked at her curi? ously as it wondering what her an? swer would be. He waited some time, and then slowly die said: "i think?you had better go!" "You don't mean that!" he ex clalm? d, in genuine surprise. she shook her head affirmatively. Yes, I do.' sh. Bald; 'your lather wants you to take your position in ine world, the position you are entitled to. the position your association with me prevents you from taking?" Howard drummed his fingers on the tablecloth and looked out ot the win? dow. It seemed to her that his VOlOS no longer had the same candid ring ai-. he replied: "Yes. father h:is spoken 10 mc shout it. lie wants to b< friends, and l?" He paused awkwardly, and then add ed: '*! admit I've I've promised to has been visiting Mrs, .John Team vonsider it, but?" Annie fin shed bis sentence for hitn: "You're tfoing to accept his offer, Howard. You owe it to yourself, to your family, and to?" She laughed ab she added: "I was going to say to millions of anxious readers." Howard looked at her curiously. He did not know if she was jesting or in earnest. Almost impatiently he ex? claimed: Why do you talk in this way against your own interests? You know I'd like to be friendly with my family, and all that. But it wouldn't be fair to you." "I'm not talking against myself. Howard. I want you to be happy, and you're not happy. You can't be happy under these conditions. Now be hon? est with me?can you?" "Can you?" he demanded. "No," she answered, frank'y, "not unless you are." Slowly she went on: "Whatever happiness I've had in life I owe to you, and God knows you've had nothing but trouble from me. I did wrong to marry you, and I'm willing to pay the penalty. I've evened matters up with your family; now let me try and square up with you." "Evened up matters with my fam? ily?" he exclaimed in surprise. "What do you mean?" With a smile she replied ambigu? ously: "Oh, that's a little private matter of my own!" He stared at her, unable to comprehend, and she went on, gravely: "Howard, you must do what's best for yourself. I'll pack your things. You can go when you please?" He stared gloomily out of the win? dow without replying. After all, he thought to himself, it was perhaps for the best. Shackled as he was now, he would never be able to accomplish anything. If they separated, his father would take him into his bjsiness. Life would begin for him all over again. It would be better for her, too. Of course, he would never for? get her. He would provide for her comfort. His father would help him arrange for that. Lighting a cigar? ette, he said, carelessly: "Well?perhaps you're right May? be a little trip through Europe won't do me any harm." "Of course not," she aaid. simply. Busy with an obstim.te match, he did not hear the sigh that accom? panied her words or see the look of r-gony that crossed her face "But what are you go ng to do?** he nquired, after a silence. With an effort, she controlled her ? ?ice. Not for all the world would ho betray the rant that her heart ii trce!ing. With affected indif ?ciicc. ib^ rcrMrd. Ch ' s-ha 1 o vl right I shall n-' in the country -? '-? tired of the i' y." 'So a:;, i.' i .1. wiUi a ges? ture of disgust. "But I hate like the deuce to leave you alone." "That's nothing," ehe said, hastily. "A trip abroad is just what you need." Looking up at him, she added: "Your face has brightened up al? ready!" i He stared at her, uns.ble to under? stand. "I wish you could go with me.** She smiled. "Your lather's society doesn't make quite such an appeal to me as it does to you." Carelessly, she added: Where are you going?Paris or London?" He sent a thick cloud of smoke curl? ing to the ceiling. A European trip was something he had long looked for? ward to. "London?Vienna?Paris," he re? plied, gayly. With a laugh, he went on: "No, I think I'll cut out Paris. I'm a married man. I mustn't forget that!" Annie looked up at him quickly. "You've forgotten it already," she said, quietly. There was reproach In her voice as she continued: "Ah, Howard, you're such a boy! A ilttte pleasure trip and the past is for* gotten!" A look of perplexity came over his face. Being only a man, he did not grasp quickly the finer shades of hef meaning. With some irritation, he de manded: "Didn't you say you wanted me to go and forget?" She nodded. "Yes, I do, Howard. You've made me happy. I want you to be happy." He looked puzzled. "You say you love me?" he said, "and yet you're happy because I'm go? ing av ay I don't follow that line of reasoning." "It isn't reason," she said with a smile, "it's what I feel. I guess a man wants to have what he loves ami a woman is satisfied to love just what she wants. Anyway, I'm glad. I'm Milad you're going. Go and tell your fa? ther." Taking his hat, he said: ? Til telephone him." "Yes. that's right,*' she replied. "Where's my cane?" he asked, look? ing round the room. She [OOnd it tor him. and as he opened the door, she said: "Don't be long, will you?" He laughed ?Til come right back. By George!" he exclaimed, "I feel quite excited Bt the prospect of this trip!" Regarding her fondly, he went on: "it's awfully good of you, old girl, to let me go. I don't think there are many woir*:n like you " tnnte averted her head. "Now, don't spoil me," she said,lift" Ing the tray as If to go Into thg kit< lien. "Wall till i kiss you good-by,M ng said, effusively. Taking the tray from her, hen it on the tab e, and o*dt ? he has returned home.