Lincoln County leader., July 12, 1912, Image 3

TRe THIRD
DEGREE
Narrative
jf
cTVletropolitan
Life i
By CHARLES KLEIN and
ARTHUR HORNBLOW
ILLUSTRATIONS BT RAT WALTERS
(Copyright, IMH, bj a. W. UlllngUam Company J
SYNOPSIS
Howard Jeffries, banker's son, under
yie evu innuence of Robert Underwood,
fellow-student at Tale, leads a life of dis-
SlDatlOn. mnrrlpi Ilia RI,ii,hla oam.
u ,wn0 ?le1 ,n Pr,sn. and Is disowned
J' lamer. Me Is out of wortt ana in
aesperate straits. Underwood, who had
once been engaged to Hownrd's step
mother. A llrtfl la nnnnrantlv In nrnuF.
hi" .c,rPu'n"tances. Taking advantage of
.... i,,Liuini:v wun Alicia, ne oecomes a
E? oc'a' hlghwnyman. Discovering
irue cnaractor, Alicia denies him the
hOUSe. He send hop nnta thrntpn1nr
suicide. Art dealers for whom he acted
as commissioner, demand an accounting.
Me cannot make good. Howard calls at
his apartments In an Intoxicated condi
tion to reauest a loan of $2,000 to enable
. "Jm to take up a business proposition.
Howard drinks himself into a maudlin
condition, and goes to sleep on a divan.
A caller Is announced and Underwood
"raws a screen around the drunken
leeper. Alicia enters. She demands a
fomise from Underwood that he will not
ins me. Me refuses unless she will
renew her patronage. This she refuses.
and takes her leave. Underwood kills
aimself. The report of the pistol awa
kens Howard. He finds Underwood dead.
Howard Is turned over to the Dollce.
Capt. Clinton, notorious for his hrutal
treatment of prisoners, puts Howard
mrougn the third degree, and finally gets
an alleged confession from the harassed
mBn- Annie, Howard's wife,, declares her
belief In her huithflnil'a lnnnfnr and
calls on Jeffries, Sr. Ho refuses to help
""'" n win consent to a divorce. To
ave Howard she consents, but when she
finds that the elder Jeffries does not in
tend tO Stand bv ht mnn HMnf Annn
he scorns his help. Annie appeals
nrcwjicr, auorney lor Jerrnes
Dr.. to take Hnwiril'i oa tT JanllnBi
ren2rted that Annie Is golnjr on the
Judge Brewster to find sdme way to pre-
1 jnnie axain pieaas wun Brew
a'.'. t0 . defend Howard. He consents.
Alicia Is greatly., alarmed when she
learns from Annie that Brewster has ta
ken the case. She confesses to Annie
l. ,he ca"d on Underwood the night
of his death and that she has his letter
in wnicn ne threatened suicide, but begs
for time before giving out the Informa
tion. Annie premises Brewster to produce
the missing woman at a meeting at his
nome. Brewster accuses Clinton of
xoreing a confession from Howard. An
nie appears without the witness and re-
iu civ me name. Alicia arrives.
CHAPTER XVIII Continued.
"It does stun one. doesn't It?" went
on Annie. "You can't think when it
vviuco mi vi a miuuen use mis. It s
Just the way I felt the morning they
snowed me Howard's confession."
"Prison! Prison!" wailed Alicia.
Annie tried to console her.
"Not for long," she said soothingly:
"you can get bail. It's only a matter
of favor Judge Brewster would get
you out right away."
"Get me out!" cried Alicia distract
edly. "My God! I can't go to prison!
I cant! That's too much. I've done
nothing! Look read this!" Handing
over underwood s letter, she went on:
"You can see for yourself. The wretch
rrightened me into such a state of
mind that I hardly knew what I was
doing I went to his rooms to save
-him. That's the truth. I swear to
God! But do you suppose anybody
will believe me on oath? They'll
ineyu -
Almost hysterical, she no longer
new wnat she was saying or doing,
She collapsed utterly, and sinking
down In a chair, gave way to a pas
sionate fit of sobbing. Annie tried to
quiet her:
mam sue saia genuy, "don t go
on like that Be brave. Perhaps It
wont do as bad as you think." Stie
unfolded the letter Alicia had given
her and carefully read it th,,.
When she had finished her face lit up
wiia joy. Enthusiastically she cried
"This Is great for Howard! Whl
a blessing you didn't destroy It! What
wretcn, wnat a hound to write you
Ilka that! Poor soul, of course, you
went and begged him not to do it!
I'd have gone myself, but I think I'd
have broken an umbrella over his head
or something Gee! these kind of fel
lows breed trouble, don't they? Alive
or dead, they breed trouble! What
can we do?"
Alicia rose. Her tears had disap
peared. There was a look of fixed re
solve in her eyes.
"Howard must be cleared," she said,
"and I must face it alone!" .
"YouH be alone all right," said An
nie thoughtfully. "Mr. Jeffries will do
as much for you as he did for his
son."
Noticing that her companion seemed
hurt by her frankness, she changed
the topic
"Honest to God!" sue exclaimed
good-naturedly, "I'm broken-hearted
I'll do anything to save you from this
this public disgrace. I know what It
means I've had my dose of It But
this thing has got to coma out. hasn't
itr
The banker's wife wearily nodded
assent
"Yes, I realize that," she said, "but
the disgrace oi arrest I can't stand
It, Annie! I can't go to prison even
if It's only for a minute." Holding out
a trembling hand, she' went on: "Give
me back the letter. I'll leave New
York to-night I'll go to Europe I'll
send it to Judge Brewster from Paris."
Looking anxiously Into her compan
ion's face, she pleaded: "You'll trust
me to do that, won't you? Give It to
me, please you can trust me."
Her hand was still extended, but
Annie ignored it
"No no," she said, shaking her
head, "I can't give It to you how can
I? Do you understand what the let
ter means to me?"
"Have pity!" cried the banker's
Wife, almost beside herself. "Ynn
tell them when I'm out of. the coun
try. Don't ask me to make this sac
rifice now don't ask me don't!"
Annie was beginning to lose ta-
tience. The woman's selfishness an
gered her. With irritation, she said:
"You've lost your nerve, and you
don't know what you're saying. How
ard's life comes before you me or
anybody. You know that!"
"Yes yes," cried Alicia desperate
ly, "I know that. I'm only asking you
to wait I I ought to have left this
morning that's what I should have
done gone at once. Now it's too
late, unless you help me "
"I'll help you all I can," replied the
other doggedly, "but I've promised
Judge Brewster to clear up this mat
ter to-night."
Suddenly there was a commotion at
the door. Capt. Clinton entered, fol
lowed by Detective Sergeant Maloney.
Alicia shrank back in alarm.
"I thought Judge Brewster was
here," said the captain, glancing sus
piciously round the room.
"I'll send for him," said Annie,
touching a bell.
"Well, where's your mysterious wit
ness?" demanded the captain sarcas
tically. He looked curiously at Alicia.
"This is Mrs. Howard Jeffries, Sr.,"
said Annie, "my husband's step
mother." The captain made a deferential sa
lute. Bully as he was, he knew how
to be 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 servant entered.
"Tell Judge Brewster that Capt
Clinton Is 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 1udea and ner.
haps her husband would come in, and
Annie would hand them the letter
"Howard's Life Comes Before You
Me or Anybody."
which exculpated her husband. There
was a moment of terrible susnenas.
Annie stood aloof, her eves flvAd nn
the floor. Suddenly, without uttering
a word, she drew Underwood's latter
from her bosom, and quickly approach
ing Alicia, placed It unnoticed in her
hand. . The-banker's i wife, flushed and
then turned pale. She understood
Annie would spare her. Her lips
parted to protest Even she was taken
back by such an exhibition of unself-
isnness as this. She began to stam
mer thanks.
'No, no," whispered Annie ouIpVIt
"aon't thank me; keen it."
iapi. unnton turned round with a
leer. Insolently, he said to Annin-
'You might as. well own un von've
piayea a trick on us all."
No, Capt Clinton." she renlled
witn quiet dignity: "I told you the
simple truth. Naturally vou don't hA.
lieve it."
'The slmnle truth may do for .Tiidca
Brewster." grinned the policeman
"but it won't do for me. I never ex
pected this mysterious witness, who
was going to prove that Underwood
committed suicide, to make an ap
pearance, did I, Maloney. Why not?
Because, begging your pardon for
doubting your word, there's no such
person."
'Beuglng your pardon for dlsnutlnc
your word. caDtaln." ah a rotor,
mimicking him, "there Is such a per
son.
"Thn where is she?" ha demand.
angrll. Annie made no answar, but
looked for advice to Judge Brewster,
who at that Instant entered the room.
The captain glared at her viciously.
and unable to longer contain his
wrath, he bellowed:
"I'll tell you where she is! She's
right here in this room!" Pointing
his finger at Annie in theatrical fash
ion, ne went on runousiy: "Annie Jeff
ries, you're . the woman who visited
Underwood the night of his death! I
don't hesitate to say so. I've said so
all along, haven't I, Maloney?"
"Yes, you told the newspapers so,
retorted Annie dryly.
Taking no notice of her remark, the
captain blustered:
"I've got your record, young worn
an! I know all about you and your
folks. You knew the two men when
they were at college. You knew Un
derwood before you made the ac
quaintance of young Jeffries. It was
Underwood who introduced vou to
your husband. It was Underwood who
aroused your husband's Jealousy
You went to his rooms that nieht.
Your husband followed you there, and
the shooting took place!" Turning to
Judge Brewster, he added, with a sar
castic grin: "False confession, eh?
Hypnotism, eh? I guess it's interna
tlonal and constitutional law for yours
after this."
"You don't say so?" exclaimed An
nie, irritated at the man's intolerable
Insolence.
Judge Brewster held ud a restrain
ing hand.
"Please say nothing," he said with
dignity.
"No, I guess I'll let him talk. Go
on, captain," she said with a smile,
as if thoroughly enjoying the situa
tion. Alicia came forward, her face pale,
but on it a look of determination, as
if she had quite made up her mind as
to what course to pursue. In her
hand was Underwood's letter. Ad
dressing Annie, she said, with emo
tion: "The truth must come out sooner or
later."
Seeing what she was about to do,
Annie quickly put out her hand to
stop her. She expected the banker's
wife to do her duty, she had insisted
that she must, but now she was ready
to do it, she realized what it was cost
ing her. Her position, her future hap
piness were at stake. It was too great
a sacrifice. Perhaps there was some
other way.
"No, no, not yet," she whispered.
But Alicia brushed her aside and,
thrusting the letter into the hand of
the astonished police captain, she
said:
"Yes, now! Read that captain!"
Capt Clinton slowly unfolded the
letter. Alicia collapsed In a chair.
Annie stood by helpless, 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: "'Deer Mrs. Jeffries!' Is that con
clusive enough? What did I tell you?"
Continuing to peruse the letter, he
read on: "Shall be found dead to
morrow suicide ' " He stopped
short and frowned. "What's this?
Why, this is a barefaced forgery!"
Judge Brewster aulcklv snatched
the letter from his hand and, glancing
over It quickly, said
"Permit me. This belongs to my
client"
Capt Clinton's prognathous Jaw
snapped to with a click, and be
squared his massive shoulders, as he
Usually did when preparing for hos
tllities:
"Now, Mrs. Jeffries," he said sharp
ly, "I'll trouble you to go with me to
neaaquarters. '
Annie and Alicia both stood un
Judge Brewster quickly objected.
Mrs. Jeffries will not ko with you."
he said quietly. "She has made no at
tempt to leave the state.
She's wanted at police headauar-
ters," said the captain doggedly.
"She'll be there to-morrow morn
ing."
"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 his
heel to .depart
"The moment she attempts to leave
the house," he growled, "I shall ar
rest her. Good night Judge."
"Good-night captain!" cried Annie
mockingly.
"I'll Bee you later," he muttered.
"Come on, Maloney."
The door banged to. They were
alone.
"What a sweet disposition!" 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 a-n on th
witness stand and commit perjury?"
"I don't know. I never thought of
that," she faltered.
The Judge turned to Alicia.
"Are you going to allow her to do
ao. Mrs. Jeffries?"
"No, no." cried Alicia, oulcklv:
never tnougbt of such a thine
"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 vou
pect me, as your counsel, to become
partlceps crlminls to this tissue of
lies? Am I expected to build un a
false structure for you to swear to?
Am irw
"I don't know; I haven't thought of
It, replied Annie. "If it can be done.
why not? I'm glad you suggested it.
I suggest It?" exclaimed the law
yer, scandalized.
Yes." cried Annie with growing
exaltation; "it never occurred to me
till you spoke. Everybody says I'm
tne woman who called on Robert Un
derwood that night Well, that's all
right Let them continue to think so
What difference does it make so long
as Howard Is set free?" Going to
ward the door, she said: "Good-night
Mrs. Jeffries!"
The Judge tried to bar her way.
"Don't go," he said: "Capt Clin
ton's men are waiting outside."
"That doesn't matter!" she cried.
"But you must not eo!" exclaimed
the lawyer in a tone of command. "1
won't allow it They'll arrest you!
Mrs. Jeffries, you'll please remain
here."
But Annie was already at the door
"I wouldn't keep Capt. Clinton
waiting for the world," she cried.
"Good-night, Judge Brewster, and, God
Diess you!
The 'door slammed, and she was
gone.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
DELICATE WORKS OF ART
Wonderful Ingenuity Displayed In
Turning Out Microscopic Articles
of Great Value.
In 1578 a London locksmith con
structed a lock made up of 11 differ
ent pieces of metal, and when it was
finished and the key attached the
whole weighed but one grain. Fur
thermore, he made a chain of gold,
consisting of 43 links, and when he
had fastened this to the lock and key
he put one end of the chain round
the neck of a flea, and found that the
insect was able to draw with ease
both chain and lock.
Sixteen hundred ivory dishes were
made by one Oswald Northlngerus
and exhibited before Pope Paul V
These dishes were perfect In every
respect but were so small as to be
scarcely visible to the naked eye, and
were all inclosed in a basket of the
size of an ordinary peppercorn.
The art of delicate microscopic
workmanship has not, however, been
confined to other times. It is not yet
dead, as is evidenced by the marvel
ous production a few years ago by a
jeweler of Turin of a miniature tug
boat
This little craft is fashioned out of
a single pearl. The sail of the boat
is of beaten gold, studded with dia
monds, and the binnacle light at the
prow Is a perfect ruby. An emerald
forms the rudder, and the stand unon
which the boat la mounted is a slab
of the whitest Ivory.
The entire weight is less than half
an ounce, but when we come to the
question of value we find we have got
beyond the microscopic. The maker
values his work at $5,000.
Raising Standard of Health.
If the alarm were not quite a famil
iar one by this time, 242,000 physic
ally defective school children out of
323,000 examined would be enough to
send even a mild magazine editor Into
hysterics. New York's population,
however, la not going so ranldlv to
the dogs as a hasty glance at the fig
ures would seem to indicate. Defec
tive teeth claimed no less than 183.
000 victims, nasal trouble accounted
for 73,000 and poor eyesight for 38,
000. We would not minimize the lm
Dortant work that la being dona in
calling the dentist and the surgeon to
tne aid of the school teacher. But, as
a precaution against the professional
alarmist it is well to point out that
u it our standards or public health
that are being raised and not our
children are deteriorating. New York
Evening Post
Ha Was Preoared.
Blanche Ring, the actress, is alwavt
preaching caution whether she nrae
tlces It or not Is, as Kipling says, an
other story. "If everyone was only as
cautious as a man I once knew," she
said the other night, "nobody would
ever go broke. He called at tha
money-order window of the local post
ofllce and asked permission to send an
order for 1100 to the 'old eonntrv
- . - - - -
Then the man with the money gava
his own name as payee.
" 'I'm going over next week,' bo vol
unteered, 'and I want to have the
money waiting for ma on the other
side, so that I can give It to my
mother.'
" 'Why don't you take It with vonr
asked the clerk. 'You would save 40
cents.'
"'Well, suppose the shin sinks and
I irown?'" Young's Magazine.
London, in monetary value, Is worth
two and a half times as much, as
Paris.
BOX FOR PRINTING PICTURES
Handy Device for Amateur or Pro
fessional Photographer Who Want
Homo Made Apparatus.
A very handy device for the ama
teur or professional Dhotorranher
who wants a home-made and aimnia
apparatus for printing pictures can
be made in a few minutes' time.
The drawing shows the schema.
which consists of a small store hor
about 12 inches square and an elec
tric light of any candlepower desired
Box for Printing Photographs.
attached to a , drop cord running
through the end of the box, says the
Popular Electricity.
The hole should be made In the toD
of the box a little larger than tha
plate or film which Is to be used.
This hole should be covered with a
piece of glass. The negative can then
be laid on the glass face upward, and
the printing carried on In the usual
way. A nat weight should be placed
on the print and plato to hold them
securely In place while printing.
NEW DOLL IS QUITE USEFUL
Little Girls Can Use It as Muff
to
Keep Their Hands Warm In
vented by New Yorker.
A doll that is also a muff, or a muff
that Is a doll, whichever way you
like, has been Invented by a New
York man. The doll has the outward
semblance of others of its kind, hut
inside the skirt Is a soft body with
hand-openings on each side. Thla
dollle, of course, is a winter child and
wears a long coat like her owner, tha
coat having wide side pockets, so that
tne little girl carrying it can slin her
hands through into the soft muff in
side. To enhance the effect the doll
also carries a muff. But it is not only
children who may be looked for to
carry this doll muff. In these faddish
days when young women carry teddy
bears, stuffed dogs and even dolls on
Use Doll for Muff.
the street, there is no reason why they
should not carry one of these child's
toys as a hand-warmer and achlevo.
the double success of attracting atten
tion at tha same time.
Ethel's Hair Was Hitched .
Mamma Do stop crying, Ethel.
You never hear ma crying when my
hair is combed.
' Ethel B-but your h-halr ain't
h-hltched to your h-head like m-mine
la.
What Is the Answer?
Why might you ba Justified In .
picking tha pockets of a photogra
pher? Because ba has plct-urea (picked
yours).
Which of the planets has the most
specie?
The moon; because be Is constant.
ly changing quarters.
When does a caterpillar lmnrova in
behavior?
When be turns over a new leaf.
Why should a aulll Den n k.'
used in inditing secret matters?
Because It is apt to split
What trade does the sun remiinri
follow?
Those of a tanner and a portrait
painter.
Why Is a coachman Ilka th.
clouds?
Because he holds the reins.
, Also Had a Temper.
Willie, aged three, had arc-Mont. 11-
cut one of his shoes with a hatch.
and his father scolded him at great
length. Finally tha Httla fellow
said: Tana, if you don't nnit
In. Ilka that I'll get mad, too,"
,