Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 11, Number 20, Decatur, Adams County, 23 January 1913 — Page 7

the THIRD brought. The dealers demandeq rMf . tution or a settlement and Underwood dreading exposure, had to hustu around to raise enough money 'to make up the deficiency in order to avoid prosecution, in this way h lived from day to day borrowing fr “® Peter to settle with Patti, and on or two occasions he had not been ashamed to borrow from Mrs. j ettrl “ herself. Alicia lent the money more because she feared ridicule than from any real desire to oblige Underwood, she had long since become disgusted with him The man’s real character was now plainly revealed to her. He was adventurer, little better than a common crook. She congratulated herself on her narrow escape. Suppose she had married him—the horror of It! Yet the next instant she was filled with consternation. She had allowed him to become so intimate that it was difficult to break off with him all at once. She realized that with a man of that character the in evitable must come. There would be a disgraceful scandal. She would be mixed up in It, her husband's eyes i fc InklmS I / J I I I \ O' / w TV J \ IB She at Least Was Not a Wife He Need Be Ashamed Os. would be opened to her folly, it might ruin her entire life. She must end it now —once for all. She had already given him to understand that their intimacy must cease. Now he must stop his visits to her house and desist from trapping her friends into his many schemes. She had written him that morning forbidding him to come to the house this evening. She was done with him forever. These thoughts were responsible for the frown on the beautiful Mrs. Jeffries' bejeweled brow that particular Saturday evening Alicia gave a sigh and was drawing on her long kid gloves before the glass, when sudden ly a maid entered and tendered her mistress a note. Alicia knew the handwriting oniy too well. She tore the letter open and read: Dear Mrs. Jeffries I received your letter telling me that my pres- rice a your house to-night would be distaste'.;! to you. As you can imagine. It was a gnat shock. Don't you understand the harm Hill will do me? Everybody will notice * absence. They will jump to t • aelusion that there has been a rapture, and my credit will suffer Immediately with your friends. I cannot afford to let this happen now. My affairs ar.- In e. ! condition that It will be fatal to n>< 1 need your support and friendship more than ever. I have noticed lor some time that your manner to me has <hange.l Perhaps you have believed some t!--stories my enemies have circulated it For the sake of our old 'rl.-mi- p. Alicia, don't dr-sort me now It-o •t r what I once was to you and let no tne to your reception to-night. There . r.-a---•on why I must be seen in your 1.Yours devotedly. ROBERT UNDERWOOD. Alicia’s face flushed with anger Turning to the maid, she said: "There’s no answer." The girl was about to close the door when her mistress suddenly recalled her. Walt a minute,” she said: "I'll write a line.” Taking from her dainty escritoire a sheet of perfumed notepaper, she wrote hurriedly as follows: "If you darn to come near my house to-night I will have you put out h> ilc sen ’"ts." Quickly folding the note, she crushed it into an envelope sealed it, handed It to the girl, and said: "Clive that to the mess, nger.” The servant disappeared snd Alicia resumed her work of draw ing on het gloves In front of her mirror. How <l»re he write her such a letter? Wat b»r house to bo made the headquar t*rs for bls swindling schorr* ' T’id he want to cheat more of b< iondt? The more she thought of nil lie I ad done, the angrier she became Her flashed and bor bosom leaved *lth Indignation She wondered *hat her husband, the soul of honor, * ( >uld say If he suspected that she ,in 'l permitted a man of Underwood's character to use his home for his dis .honest practices. She was glad “1"’ had ended it now, before It whs too late. There might have be m a scanfl’l. and that she must avoid at any Mr. Jeffries, sb* felt certain, *ould not tolerate a scandal <>f any kind. *ll at once she felt something brush her check. She turned quickly 1 w as her husband who had entered lb« room quietly. "Oh, Howard," she exclaimed. P''" v ■bly; "how you frightened me! You •houldn't startle me like that.” A tall, distinguished looking man t ’ t * 1 white mustache and pointed " a rd stood admiring her In silence Us erect figure, admirably set off in 1 well-cut dress coat suggested the bldler. What ars you doing alone here. *ar?" he aald. "I hear carriages out ide Our guests are arriving ./Wt thinking, that’s all," »he re"'•fl. evasively. '•* noticed her preoccupied I”O« “fl with some eoacern he demanded:

ti .' r /‘ 8 not2k,a g to worry you, ts , "Oh 1 >h, no—nothing like that," she , said, hastily. He looked at her closely and she ( averted her eyes. Mr. Jeffries often ondered 1f he had made a mistake. 1 e felt, that this woman to whom he . ia<i given his name did not love him, 1 jut his vanity as much as his pride Prevented him from acknowledging even t 0 himself. After all, what'- ' 1,1 be care? She was a companion, < 811 graced his home and looked after creature comforts. Perhaps no -easonable man should expect anyning more. Carelessly, he asked: Whom do you expect to-night?" | . ( ’h, the usual crowd,” replied Alicia, languidly. "Dr. Bernstein is coming—you know he’s quite the rage just now. He has to do with psychology and all that sort of thing.” So, he's your Hon to-night, is he?’’ sndled the banker. Then ho went on:' , Hj the by, I met Brewster at the club to-night. He promised to drop in.” Xow ft was Alicia's turn to smile, ' • i was not everybody who could boast of having such a distinguished lawyer as Judge Brewster on their calling lists. To-night would certainly be a success—two lions instead of one. For the moment she forgot her worry. 'I am delighted that the judge is con::: g," she exclaimed, her face beaming. "Every one is talking about him since his brilliant speech for the defense in that murder case." The banker noted his wife's beautiful hair and the white transparency of her skin. His gaze lingered on the graceful lines of her neck and bosom, glittering with precious stones. An exquisite aroma exuding from her person reached where he stood. His eyes grew more ardent and, passing his arm affectionately around her slender waist, he asked: 'How does my little girl like her tiara ?” "It's very nloe. Don’t you see I'm wearing it to-night?” she replied almost impatiently and drawing herself away. Before Mr. Jeffries had time to reply there was a commotion at the other end of the reception room, where rich tapestries screened off the , main entrance hall. The butler drew the curtains aside. “Mr. and Mrs. Cortwright,” he an- . nounced loudly. Alicia went forward, followed by her husband, to greet her guests. i CHAPTER IV. ~ I The richly decorated reception . rooms, brilliantly illuminated with soft incandescent lights artistically I arranged behind banks of flowers, were filled with people. In the air . was the familiar buzz always present . in a room where each person is trying k to speak at the same time. On al! sides one heard fragments of inept conversation. a | "to good of you to come! How well you're looking, my dear.” My husband? Oh, he’s at the club, playing poker, as usual. He hates music.” Tv such a terrible cold!” "Trouble with servants? I should say so I bounced my cook this morni ing" • "Aren’t these affairs awfully tire- ' some?" |< "I was so glad to come. I always enjoy y ,ur musicales." Dr Bernstein coming? How perfectly delightful. I’ll ask him for hit autograph." J . "What's psychology?” thing to do with religion, 1 think" | “Haven’t we been having dreadful weather?” • i -aw you at the opera." l',»-n’t she look sweet?" "Oh, 1 think it’s just lovely." People now arrived in quick auccesI f! i: I forming little groups, the room soon presented an animated t seem The women tn their smart > gowns and the men In their black coats made a pleasing picture. My dear Mrs. Jeffries, how do you do this evening?" exclaimed a rich deep voice. > The hostess turned to greet an el- , d' rly and distinguished-looking man »bo had Just entered. Directly he cam in voices were hushed, and on i every side one heard the whisper: “There's Judge Brewster, the fa- > tnous lawyer." There was a general craning of necks to catch a glimpse of the emlI nt nt Jut st whose brilliant address to ' the Jury in a recent cause colebre I had saved an Innocent man from the . „| P ,-trlc chair. Richard Brewster was a fine ex ample of the old school statesmanlawyer of ’be Henry Clay type. He belong- d to that small class of public ’ m ,n who ire independent of al) coteries, whose only ambition is to mrv th'lr country well, who know no other duty than that dictated by their oath and conscience. A brilliant and forceful orator, there was no office in the gift of the nation that might not have been his for the asking, but he had no taste for politics. After serving with honor for some years on the bench ha retired Into private practice, and thereafter his name became one to conjure with in the law courts. By sheer power of his matchless oratory and unansworahis logic I,e won ca,e ,flrr coe f,,r h |„ clients and it Is a tribute to bls nutno to record the plain fact that in all bls career he never championed a rnu»* ”1 which he need ba ashamed. Powerful financial Interests bad attemp’cd to secure hie services by offers of princely retainers, but without success. He fought the trusts bitterly every time he found them oppressing his profession. Alicia advanced with extended hand. ■This Is Indeed kind, judge," aba as-

claimed with a gracious smile. “I j hardly dared hope that my poor musl- : It calo would be so honored.” I, The old lawyer smiled good-humor ' i edly as he replied gallantly: ' "I don’t know much about music, : < tn'm; I came to see you." Looking around he added: "You’ve got a nice -1 place hero." < He spoke in his characteristic man- i ner—short, nervous, explosive sen- ' tenc.es, which had often terrified his .1 opponents in court. are such flatterers,” i laughed Alicia as she nervously fanned herself, and looked around to see if her guests were watching "Lawyers only flatter when they want to." interrupted Mr. Jeffries, wne had just joined the group. Alicia turned to greet a new arrival and the lawyer continued chatting with his host. “I suppose you’ll take a rest now, after your splendid victory,” said the banker. Judge Brewster shook his head dubiously. “No, sir, we lawyers never rest. We can’t. No sooner Is one case disposed of than another crops up to claim our attention. The trouble with this country is that we have too much law. If I were to be guilty of an epigram I would say that the country had so much law that it is practically lawless." "So yot»’re preparing another case, eh?” said Mr. Jeffries, Interested. “What is it—a secret?” “Oh, no!" answered the lawyer, “the newspapers will be full of it in a day or two. We are going to bring suit against the city. It’s really a test ease that should interest every citizen: a protest against the highhanded actions of the police.” The banker elevated his eyebrows. “Indeed," he exclaimed. "What have the police been doing now?” The lawyer looked at his client in surprise. "Why, my dear sir, you must have seen by the papers what's been going on in our city of late. The papers have been full of ft. Police brutality, illegal arrests, assaults in station houses, star-chamber methods that would disgrace the middle ages. A state of affairs exists to-day in the city of New York which is inconceivable. Here we are living in a civilized country, every man's liberty is guaranteed by the constitution, yet citizens, as they walk our streets, are in greater peril than the inhabitants lof terror-stricken Russia. Take a po- ! lice official of Capt. Clinton's type. ' His only notion of the law is brute force and the night stick. A bully by nature, a man of the coarsest instincts and enormous physical strength, he loves to play the tyrant. In his preefnet he poses as a kind of czar and fondly imagines he has the power to administer the law itself. By bis brow-beating tactics, intolerable under Anglo-Saxon government, he is . turning our police force into a gang of ruffians who have the city terrorI stricken. In order to further his political ambitions he stops at nothing. He lets the guilty escape when influence he can't resist is brought to ! bear, but in order to keep up his record with the department he makes arrests without the slightest justifiesi tion. To secure convictions he manufactures, with the aid of his detecstives, all kinds of perjured evidence. To paraphrase a well-known saying, his motto is: ‘Couyict—honestly, if you can —but convict.”’ “It is outrageous,” said Mr. Jeffries. “No one can approve such methods Os course, in dealing with I ISM IM I >1 I l| l| I 111 i t /AWW V ' 'Cr \\\ A MaOI A U s ■I 1 1 U ■ “I Don't Know Much About Mu sic, M'm." the criminal population of a great city, they cannot wear kid gloves, but Capt. Clinton certainly goes too far. What Is the speciflc complaint on which the suit is based?” • "Capt. Clinton," replied the judge, "made the mistake of persecuting a young woman who huppuhed to be the daughter of a wealthy client of mine. One of his detectives arrested her on a charge of shoplifting. The girl, mind you, Is of excellent family and irreproachable character. My client and his lawyer tried to show Capt. Clinton that he had made a serious blunder, but he brazened It out. claiming on the stand that the girl was an old offerer. Os course, bo was forced at last to admit his mistake and the girl went free, but think of the humiliation nnd mental anguish she underwent! It was simply a , repetition of his old tactics. A conviction, no matter at what coat. "What do you hope to bring about by this suit?" "Arouse public Indignation, and i If possible get Capt Clinton dismissed from the force. His record Is none too t savory. Charges of, graift have been ; made against him Nme and time i again, but so far nothing has been ' proved. To-day he la a man of wealth i on • comparatively small salary. Do I

you suppose Bls money eotna nave ■com* to him honeetly?” In another corner of the salon stood Dr. Bernstein, the celebrated psychologist, the center of an excited crowd of enthusiastic admirers. Alicia approached a group of chattering women. Each was more elaborately dressed than her neighbor, and loaded down with rare gems. They at once stopped talking as their .hostess came up. ' “It was so good of you to come!” said Alicia effusively to a fat woman with impossible blonde hair and a rouged face. “I want to introduce Dr Bernstein to you." “Oh, I shall be delighted," smiled the blonde. Gushingly she added: “How perfectly exquisite you look tonight, my dear." "Do you think so?" said Alicia, pleased at the clumsy flattery. "Your dress is stunning and your tiara simply gorgeous,” raved another. “Your musicales are always so delightful,” exclaimed a third. At that moment Mr. Jeffries caught his wife by the arm and drew her attention to some newcomers. With a laugh she left the group and hurried toward the door. Directly she was out of earshot, the three women began whispering: “Isn’t she terribly overdressed?" exclaimed the blonde. “The cheek ot such a parvenue to wear that tiara.” "Her face is all made up, too,” said another. “These affairs of hers are awfully stupid, don’t you think so?” piped the third. “Yes, they bore everybody to death,” said the blonde. "She’s ambitious and likes to think she is a social leader. I only come here because it amuses me to see what a fool she makes of herself. Fancy a woman of her age marrying a man old enough to be her father. By the by, 1 don’t see her beau here to-night.” "You mean that scamp. Robert Underwood ?" “Isn’t it perfectly scandalous, the way he dances after her? I’m surprised Mr. Jeffries allows him to come to the house." “Maybe there’s been a row. Perhaps that explains why he’s not here to-night. It’s the first time I’ve known him absent from one of her musicales." “He’s conspicuous by his absence. Do you know what I heard the other day? I was told that Underwood had again been caught cheating at cards and summarily expelled from the clut —kicked out, so to speak.” .“I’m not at all surprised. I always had my doubts about him. He in duced a friend of mine to buy a picture, and got a tremendous price sot it on the false representation that it, was a genuine Corot. My friend found out afterward that he had been duped Proceedings were threatened, but Underwood managed to hush the affaii, by returning part of the money.” In another part of the room a couple were discussing Mr. Jeffries as he stood talking with Judge Brewster. “Did you notice how Mr. Jeffries has aged recently? He no longer seems the same man.” “No wonder, after all the trouble he’s had. Os course you know what e disappointment his son turned out?" “A scamp, I understand. Married a chorus girl and all that sort of thing.’ "Not exactly, but almost as bad The girl was a waitress or something like that In a restaurant. She’s very common; her father died in prison 1 You can Imagine the blow to <gd Jeffries. He turned the boy adrift and left him to shift for himself.” ■ Alicia approached her husband, whe was still talking with Judge Brewster She was leaning on the arm of a tall, handsome man with a dark Van Dykf beard. "Who are you discussing with such interest?" she demanded, as she cam< up with her escort “We were talking of Capt. Clinton and his detestable police methods,’ said the banker. "Judge,” said Alicia, turning to th* lawyer, "allow me to introduce Dr Bernstein. Doctor, this is Judg* 1 Brewster.” The stranger bowed low. as be re plied courteously: | "The fame of Judge Brewster has spread to every state in the union.” A faint smile spr- itd over the sac» of the famous lawyer as he extended his hand: "I’ve often heard of you. too. doc toy. I’ve been reading with great in terest your book, ‘Experimental Psy chology.’ Do you know," he went •on earnestly, “there's a lot in that We have still much to learn in that direction." "1 think." said Dr. Bernstein, quiet ly, "that we're only on the threshold of wonderful discoveries." Pleased to find thut her two dlstln guished guests were congenial, Alicia left them to themselves and joined her other guests. “Yes," said the lawyer musingly, “man has studied for centuries the mechanism of the body, but he has neglected entirely the mechanism of. the mind." Dr. Bernstein smiled approvingly. "We are just waking up," he replied quickly. ' People are beginning to look upon psychology seriously. Up to comparatively recently the layman has regarded psychology ns the domain of the philosopher and the dreamer. It did not seem possible that it could over be applied to our practical everyday life, but of late we have made remarkable strides. Although it Is a comparatively new xclence, you will probably be nnton ished to learn that there are to-day In the United States 60 psychological laboratories. That Is to say, workshops fully equipped with every device known for the probing of the human brain In tny laboratory In California alone I have as many at twam

ty rooms nnng «TO glectfie wires aad equipped with all the necessary tn- ( wtmineata —chronoscopes, kymograph • 'taehistoecopes and ergographs Instruments which enable us to meas ure and record the human brain as ■ accurately as the Bertfllon system." “Really, you astonish me!" ex , claimed the judge. "This is most in terestlng. Think of laboratories sole ly devoted to delving into mysteries of the human brain! It is wonderful!’' He was silent for a moment, then he said: "It is quite plain, I think, that psychology can prove most useful in medicine. It is, I take it, the very foundation of mental healing, but what else would it do for humanity? For Instance, can it help me, the lawyer?’ Dr. Bernstein smiled. "You gentlemen of the law have al ways scoffed at the very suggestion of bringing psychology to your aid. but just think, sir, bow enormously it might aid you in cross-examinipg a witness. You can tell with almost scientific accuracy if the witness is telling lies or the truth, and the same would be clear to the Judge and the lijI ij , ™ | aSTW oF \ ss} Ji /\\ SO ■i “Yes. I Mutt See Him at Once." jury. Just think how your powers would be increased if by your skill in psychological observation you could convince the jury that your client, who was about to be convicted on cir ( cumstantial evidence alone, was really innocent of the crime of which he was charged. Why, sir, the road which psychology opens up to the lawyer is well-nigh boundless. Don’t you use the Bertfllon system to measure the body? Don’t you rely on thumb prints to identify the hand? How do you know that we psychologists aij> not able to-day to test the individual dis- , ferences of men?” i “In a word," laughed the judge. “you mean that any one trained to read my mind can tell just what’s passing in my brain?" , "Precisely," replied the doctor with a smile "the psychologist can tell with almost mathematical accuracy just how your mental mechanism is work , ing. I admit it sounds uncanny, but it can be proved. In fact, it has bee* proved, time and time again." Alicia came up and took the doc tor’s arm. “Oh, Dr. Bernstein," she protested “I can’t allow the judge to monopolize you in this way. Come with me. 1 want to introduce you to a most charming woman who is dying tc meet you. She is perfectly crazy on psychology.” “Don’t introduce me to her,” laughed the judge. *T see enough crazy people In the law courts." 1 Dr. Bernstein smiled and followed his hostess. Judge Brewster turned to chat with the banker. From the dis tant music room came the sound ol a piano and a beautiful soprano voice. The rooms were now crowded and newcomers were arriving each min ute. Servants passed in and out serv ing iced delicacies and champagne. Suddenly the butier entered th* salon and, quietly approaching Alicia, banded her a letter. In a low ton* he said: I "This letter has just come, m’m I The messenger said it was very im | | portant and I should deliver It al once." 1 Alicia turned pale. She Instantly recognized the handwriting. It wa* from Robert Underwood. Was not hei ! last message enough? How dare h« address her again and at such a time) > Retiring to an inner room, she tore open the envelope and read as follows; Dear Mrs. Jeffries: This la the last time I ■hall ever bore you with my letters. You have tortilddi-n me to are you i attain. Practically you have senk-need me to a llvliix death, l>ui ■■ 1 prefer death alialt not Im partial, but full iui-1 1 complete oblivion, I take th Im mean* of lettlnx you know that unle»« you revok" i your cruel sentence of banishment, I ■hall make an end of It all I ahull b<' I found dead. Monday mornlnx, nnd you , will know who l« responsible. Yours devotedly. ROBERT UNDERWOOD. An angry exclamation escaped Alicia's lips, and crushing the note up I In her hand, she bit her lips till the blood came. It was just as she feared i The man was desperate. He wns not i to be got rid of so easily. How dare he—how dare ho? The coward-—to ! ' think that she could he frightened by ! such a threat. What did she care If he killed himself? It would be good riddance. Yet suppose he was In earnest, suppose he did carry out his threat? There would be a terrible scandal, an Investigation, people would talk, her name would be mentioned. No—no—that must be prevented at all costs. . Distracted, not knowing what course to pursue, she paced the floor of the room. Through the closed door she could hear the music and the chatter of her, guests. She must go to see Underwood at once, that was certain, and her visit must be a secret one' There was already enough talk. If her enemies could bear of her vU>

Wng Mm alone In his apartments that ‘would be the end. "Yes—l must see him at once. Tomorrow is Sunday. He’s sure to be home in the evening. He mentions Monday morning. There will still b« time. I’ll go and see him to-morrow 1 ' "Alicia! Alicia!" The door opened and Mr. Jeffrie* put his head in. “What are you doing here, my dear?" he asked. "I was looking everywhere for you. Judge Brewste: wishes to say good-night.” "1 was fixing my hair, that’s all,’ replied Alicia with perfect compos ure. CHAPTER V. Among the many huge caravansaries | that of recent years have sprung up | in New York to provide luxurious ! quarters regardless of cost for those who can afford to pay for the best, none could rival the Astrurla in size and magnificence. Occupying an en tire block in the very heart of the resid»4jtial district, it took precedence | over all the other apartment hotels ol the metropolis as the biggest and most splendidly appointed hostelry ol its kind in the world. It was, indeed ' a small city in itself. It was not nec i essary for its fortunate tenants tc leave it unless they were do minded , Everything for their comfort an<! pleasure was to be had without taking the trouble to go out of doors. Oz the ground floor were shops of al kinds, which catered only to th« Astruria’s patrons. There were alsc on the premises a bank, a broker’* office, a hairdresser, and a postal tele graph office. A special feature wa* the garden court, containing over 30, 000 square feet of open space, and tastefully laid out with palms and . flowers. Here fountains splashed and an orchestra played while the patron* lounged on comfortable rattan chair* or gossiped with their friends. Up ot the sixteenth floor was the cool roo> garden, an exquisite bower of palm* and roses artificially painted by t famous French artist, w«h its rech erche restaurant, its picturesque j tziganes, and its superb view of al > Manhattan island. The Astruria was the last word it expensive apartment hotel building Architects declared that it was as fai as modern lavishness and extrava gance could go. Its interior arrange | ments were in keeping with its ex ternal splendor. Its apartments were of noble dimensions, richly decorated and equipped with every device, new and old, that modern science and builders' ingenuity could suggest. Thai , the rents were on a scale with th* grandeur of the establishment goe* without saying. Only long purse* could stand the strain. It was a fa i vorite headquarters for Westerner* who had "struck It rich.” wealthy bachelors, and successful actors and opera singers who loved the limelight I on and off the stage. Sunday evening was usually exceed Ingly quiet at the Astruria. Most ot the tenants were out of town over th* week-end, and as the restaurant and I roof garden were only slimly patron I ized, the elevators ran less frequently making less chatter and bustle in cor ridors and stairways. Stillness reigned everywhere as if the sobering influ ence of the Sabbath had invndf-d ever this exclusive domain of the unholy . rich. The uniformed attendants, hav I Ing nothing to do. yawned lazily it the deserted halls. Some even in dulged in surreptitious naps in cor ners, confident that they would not k e disturbed. Callers were so rar* that when some one did enter from the street, he was looked upon wtti suspicion. It was shortly after seven o'clock i the day following Mrs. Jeffries' re ; ception when a man came in by th* main entrance from Broadway, and . approaching one of the hail boys, in quired for Mr. Robert Underwood. The boy gave his interlocutor a« j impudent stare. There was somethin* ' about the caller’s dress and inannei ' which told him Instinctively that h* | was not dealing with a visitor whon he must treat respectfully. No on» , divines a man's or woman's socla ' status quicker or more unerring!.* than a servant. The attendant saw at once that the man did not belon* to the class which paid social visit* to tenants In the Astruria. He wa* rather seedy looking, his collar wai not Immaculate, his boots were thick and clumsy, his clothes cheap and ill : fitting. "Is Mr. Underwood In?” he do I manded. "Not home," replied the attendant Insolently, after a pause. Like most hall boys, he took a savage pleasure In saying that the tenants were out. The caller looked annoyed. "He tnust be In," ho snld with a frown. "I have an appointment with , him." This was not strictly true, but the bluff had the desired effect. "Got an appointment! Why didn’t you say so nt once?" Reaching lazily over the telephone switchboard, nnd without rising from his neat, he asked surlily: "What's tl><> name?" “Mr. Bennington." The boy took the transmitter nnd epokw Into It: . "A party called to see Mr. Underwood" There wan n brief pause, as If th<> person upstairs was In doubt whether to admit that he was home or not Then camo the answer. The boy looked up. “He says you should go up. Apartment 166 Take the elevator." In his luxurious appointed rooms on ' the fourteenth floor. Robert Underwood eat before the fire puffing nervouily at a strong cigar All around him was a Utter of objeta d'art, such

•>s would have filled the heart of any, -■mini,isseur with joy. Oil paintings tn bvavy gilt frames, of every period and school, Rembrandts, Cuyps, Ruysc'.aelß, Reynoldses, Corots. Henners, tome on easels, some resting on the floor; handsome French bronzes,! dainty china on Japanese teakwood tables, antique furniture, gold em-! broldered clerical vestments, hand painted screens, costly oriental rugs, ; rare ceramics—all were confusedly jumbled together. On a grand piano in a corner of the room stood two tall; cloisonne vases of almost inestimable! value. On a desk close by were piled! miniatures and rare ivories. The walls were covered with tapestries, armor, and trophies of arms. More like a museum than a sitting room, it was the home of a man who made a business of art or made of art a busi- ' ness Underwood stared moodily at the glowing logs in the open chimney ! place. His face was pale and de ! termined. After coming in from the| restaurant he had changed his tux ! i edo for the more comfortable house coat. Nothing called him away that: ! particular Sunday evening, and i > I one was likely to disturb him. Ferns | ; his man servant, had taken his usual! j Sunday off and would not return unliij I midnight. The apartment was still a;-j , the grave. It was so high above the street that not a sound reached up from the noisy Broadway below. Uu derwood liked the quiet so that h* could think, and he was thinking hard Cn the flat desk at his elbow stood a dainty demi-tasse of black coffee—un taz.ed. There were glasses and decanters of whisky and cordial, but tie stimulants did not tempt him. He wondered If Alicia would ignore his letter or if she would come to I him. Surely she could not be so heartless us to throw him over at such a moment. Crushed in his left hand was a copy of the New York Herald containing an elaborate account of the brilliant reception and musicale given the previous evening at her home. With an exclamation of impatience he rose from his seat, threw the paper I from him, and began to pace the floor Was this the end of everytbing’. Had be reached the end of his rope? J He must pay the reckoning, it not today, tomorrow. As his eyes wan ; dered around the room .and he took i mental inventory of each costly ob I jcct, he experienced a sudden shock I as he recalled the things that were 1 missing How could he explain their i absence? The art dealers were al- : ready suspicious. They were not to be put off any longer with excuses. ( A"y moment they mighv Insist ehhet Cu the immediate return of their prop I erty or on nayment in full. He was in the position to do neither. The I < ’_..j been sold and the money . lost gambling. Curse the luck! Every ! thing had gone against him of late The dealers would begin criminal pro ' c?cllrgs, disgrace and prison snipes | ould follow. There was no way out I cf it. He had no one to whom he cc'.d turn in this crisis. 1 Ami now even Alicia had deserted 1 j Mm. This was the last straw Whiis ■ I. ? was still able to boast of th« , friendship and patronage of the arts I tocratic Mrs. Howard Jeffries he could still hold Kls head high in the j world. No one would dare que. tion ills integrity, but now she had aban j' doned him to his fate, people would be , gin to talk. There was no use keep ing up a hopeless fight—suicide was the only way out! He stopped in front of a mirror startled at what he saw there, it was the face ot a man not yet 30, but apparently much older. The feature* j were drawn and haggard, and his dark ! hair was plentifully streaked with j gray. He looked like a man who had j K rd two lives In one. To-night his face frightened him Ills eyes had a flx'-d star*- like those of a man hi I had once seen in a madhouse. H« I wondered if men looked like that whet;' . they were about to be executed. Was: not his own hour close at hand? lb wondered why the clock was so noisy;! !• '••■omed to him that the ticks wen •cuder than usual. He started eud! d'nly nnd looked around fearfully. H« thought he had heard a sound o it’lde! I 11' shuddered as he glared towprfl th» . little drawer on the right hand s!d» of his desk. In which he knew then- wnr! a loaded revolver. If Alicia would only relent < <»np» might yet be possible. If he <' noi! hear from her it must be for to tit 1 One slight little pressure on th rig ger and ail would be over. Suddenly the bell of the tel' »< connecting the apartment t-'nln hall downstairs rang v! Interrupted thus abruptly I midst of his reflections, Un ' jumped forward, startled. HD ! w«re so unstrung that he we apprehensive of danger. With | ulous hnnd. he took hold of I celver and pincod ft to his onr I listened, his already pallid face wither and the linos about hts tightened He hesitated n men I fore replying. Then, with nn i ho said: "S* nd hint up.” Dropping the receiver, he bi i wnik nervously up nnd dov room The crisis had come soon. >,<> | he expected-exposure was nt .;<! | This man Bennington was th< an j ;tgcr of the firm of deniers goods he disposed of. He cow IkiJ make restitution. Prosecution In evitable. Disgrace and prison tlt‘ follow. He could not stand b he i would rather kill himself. Trould wit very close nt band, that was c nin How could he got out of ft? I' ini: ! the floor, ho bit his lips till the blood , came. There Was a sharp ring at the front door. Underwood opened it As he I r. cognized hia visitor on the threshi old, he exclaimed; (To be Continued)