ine. Return with me at
once, and I will forget everything. In the seclusion of my farm, you
need not fear the fiery tongue of scandal, and I will be a father to
your child.'

"She stood with downcast eyes while I was speaking, but when I had
finished she began a vehement defense of her conduct, in the course of
which she repeated all the usual arguments of those who wish to ease
their consciences when on the downward path.

"Mr. Pattmore, she said, was a perfect gentleman; he loved her, and she
returned his affection; it was true, unhappily, that they were both
married, but nature had intended them for each other, and she preferred
to obey the laws of nature to those of society; Mrs. Pattmore was a very
fine woman, but she could not make her husband happy.

"The doctrine of free-love was fully endorsed by Annie, who had learned
it all by heart, and she advanced the most extraordinary theories in
justification of her conduct.

"For years, she said, she had held the first place in Pattmore's heart,
and he had lavished his money upon her freely; the diamond ring I had
seen, the rich dresses she had worn, a valuable necklace, and many other
articles of jewelry were among the gifts he had showered upon her; they
loved each other as husband and wife and as soon as Mrs. Pattmore should
die, Mr. Pattmore would make Annie his legal wife.

"I saw that she was completely infatuated, but I endeavored to show her
how false her reasoning was, and to what wicked conclusions it would
lead. I asked if she had forgotten Henry, who was liable to return at
any moment; she could not marry until she obtained a divorce. Besides,
the fact that they were looking forward to, and wishing for Mrs.
Pattmore's death, was almost equivalent to committing murder, since to
desire any person's death was morally as bad as to murder that person.

"We had a long conversation, and finally Annie agreed to join me in
Springfield in a short time. I therefore returned to the farm and
prepared to settle down. I received no reply to several letters which I
wrote to Annie, but at last she sent me a short note saying that she had
changed her mind, and that she should stay in Greenville. I immediately
replied that I would not permit her to remain there any longer, and I
then went to consult Mr. Chapman about the matter. He acknowledged that
he could do nothing, as Annie was her own mistress; but he advised me to
see you, Mr. Pinkerton, and obtain your advice an