The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-12-11
G O Min u Ed
r o
P A @ E O n F.
HOW THIRD DECREE
ENDS HAPPILY


and he answered over a million
people-the readers of his paper.
What does he care, Howard argues,
what a million or eighty million,
think? Suppose she did get letters
from Underwood; suppose she did
go to him to beg him not to kill
himself-she is the dearest girl in
the world and nothing can make
| him think otherwise-he has tried
to and can't. He is just splendid,
she answers, but what of the flu
ture-she has thought about it and
he has too-he can't hide it from
her. Then she tells him his father
wants him to go abroad. You're
going to accept his offer, Howard
you owe it to your family she
continues. Annie, why do you
work against yourself all the
time?' he asks.
Annie want you to be happy
you can't be happy under these con
dition. Now, be honest with me.
Can you?
| Howard-Can you?
Not unless you are she replies.
whatever happiness I've had in
! life | owe to you, and God knows
you've had nothing but trouble
! from me- You must do what's best
for yourself; in doing that you'll
! do what is best for me
And so she urges him on until he
begins to think perhaps she is
right and consents to go and phone
his father. That's right; I'm GLAD
it's settled, she laughs as he starts
for his hat. but no sooner is he out
of the room than she gives way to
her grief, and, sitting down in his
| empty chair, she buries her head in
her arms and sobs. But she is not
| allowed to indulge her grief many
minutes, for there is a knock at
the door and Mr. Brewster is an
| nounced. 1t seems he has been
away for some time, and the first
| question he asks, after profuse
greeting, is when Howard is going
| to leave. .s 50
Annie-How do you know that?
| rewster-Hadn't been back in
New York an hour when his faith
er's lawyer asked me for all the evil
dence | had. They want to use 1t
against you. The idea is that he
shall go abroad with his father and
that divorce proceedings will be
begun during his absence.
| Howard knows nothing about it.
and she is. sending him away, she
tells Mr.. Brewster But the latter
has something to say. He blames
himself for violating his oath as a
lawyer and tells her he has been
very unpleasant companion for
himself of late. In trying to get
Howard's divorce the attorneys
will bring in all the false evidence
in connection with the Underwood
affair and he will have to go before
the grand jury and tell all he
| knows. ~
ANNIE don't believe Towards
| father will go that far.
| Brewster-Oh, Towards father
| is a-a-
AS he hesitates for a word An
ME leans forward on the table.
| l
| urges, and when he does it is not
| strong enough to please her. II
| they succeed in influencing Howard
to bring suit against her she won't
defend it, she says. Perhaps not,
| but | will" declares Brewster. d. .,,.
Annie-Let me tell you some
thing, Mr.. Brewster. l deceived
| Howard as to my age; I'm older
| than he is. He thinks | am
younger.
Brewster-Well, you're not &, the
first woman who has done that; be-
lieve me, however, you'll look %
when he's 40, and that's extenu-
| ating circumstances.
ANNIE took advantage of his
| inexperience, Mr.. Brewster, and
I'm not going to let this one mis-
take ruin his career e
Brewster-He's 25, and if boys of
that age are not men, they never
willb e. Upon my word, If | was 20
I'd let this divorce go through and
marry you myself.
But I'm not" he adds quickly,
so we won't discuss it. Now don't
| pretend to be pleased" AS compli.
| ments are passing, Howard comes
back. After greeting Brewster he
informs him he is going abroad
has just telephoned his father.
Well | don't approve of It, Bre%
ster replies. Don't interrupt me-
young man; | don't approve of it.
and you can tell your father said
So Annie tries to stop him as
Howard insists upon knowing why
he doesn't approve.
Brewster-Your wifes conduct is
a topic of conversation among your
friends. ~
Howard neither know nor care
what they say.
Brewster-And that's the reason
you leave her to fight the battle
alone.
Howard begins to realize. 4
never thought of that" he says; Il
wanted to get away from 1t all.
Father offered me the chan '"
Mr.. Brewster, you've gone far
enough" Annie intervenes. But
Howard understands. He is not 60
ing away, he declares, and now
Brewster asks Annie's permission
to tell her husband tn etruth,
which she refuses to grant. Then
I'll tell him without your permits
sion," he answers, and proceeds to
inform Howard that 1t was the 9TH
er Mrs. Jeffries who visited Under
wood the night of the studio. Then
| did hear her voice." the boy
muses., and turning to Annie asks
why she could not trust him, and
as 1t dawns clearly upon his mind
what she has done for his father
and stepmother. he cries: 1T was
| acknowledgements, Annie"
Annie-What of the future?
Brewster (To Howard)-Youl.
come into my office and study law.
Howard-Thank you, Mr.. Brew
| -. A.,..icA Xai,,l falsci. O