The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-06-15

Alicia went on:
You know have never met the
woman. What is she like. under.
stand she's been bothering you to
take the case OF that worthless hus.
band OF hers. Do you know she had
the impertinence 10 come 10 our house
and ask Nj. Jeffries to help them? l
asked my husband to describe her.
but al l could get from him was that
she was impertincnt and impossible. +"
She hesitated moment. then she
added: is she as pretty as her pic.
lures in the paper? You've seen her.
OF course?"
Judge Brewster frowned.
Yes" he replied. she comes here
every day regularly. She literally
compels me to see her and refuses to
go till I've told her I haven't changed
my decision about taking her case"
What insolence!" exclaimed Alicia.
7 should think that you would have
her put out OF the office"
The lawyer was silent and toyed
somewhat nervously with the paper
cutter. as II not quite decided as 10
what response to make He coughed
and fused with the papers on the
desk.
Why don't you have her put out OF
the office?" she repeated.
The judge looked up. There was
an expression in his face that might
have been interpreted as one OF an.
noyance. as II he rather resented this
intrusion into his business AFFAIRS.
but Mrs. JeGries. ST., was too i'm.
portant client to quarrel with. so
he merely said:
Frankly. Mrs. Jedries. II It were
not for the fact that Mr.. Jefrries has
exacted from me promise not to
take up this case. I should be tempted
to-consider the matter. In the first
place. you know always liked How.
ard. saw good deal OF him before
your marriage TO Mr.. JefFries. He
was always Wild. unmanageable
boy. weak in character. but he had
many lovable traits. am very sorry.
indeed. TO see him IN such terrible
position. 1t was hard for me TO real
ize 1t and I should never have be.
lieyed him guilty had he not con.
fessed TO the crime"
Yes she assented. 1T is an aw.
full thing and a terrible blow to his
father or course. he has had moth.
ing TO do with Howard for months.
As you know. he turned him out OF
doors long ago. but the disgrace is
none the less Overwhelming"
The lawyer looked out OF the win.
dow and drummed his fingers on the
arm OF his chair Suddenly wheeling
round. and facing his client, he said:
''You know this girl he married is
no ordinary woman"
obi" she exclaimed. sarcastically.
SHE has succeeded in arousIng your
sympathy"
The Judge bowed colby.
No" he replied. Il would hardly
say that. But she has aroused my
curiosity. She is a very peculiar girl.
evidently a creature OF impulse and
determination. certainly feel sorry
for her. Her position is very pain
full one. She has been married only
few months. and now her husband
has to face the most awful accusation
that can be brought against a man.
She is plucly in spite OF 1t all. and is
moving heaven and earth in Towards
defense. She believes herself to be in
some measure responsible for his mis-
fortune. Apart from that, the case
interests me from a purely profession
al point of view. There are several
strange features connected with the
case. Sometimes. in spite of Towards
confession. don't believe he com
mitted that crime"
Alicia changed color and. shifting
uneasily on her chair. scrutinized the
lawyers face. What was behind that
calm. inscrutable mask? What theory
had he formed? One newspaper had
suggested suicide. She might herself
come forward and declare that Rob
ert Underwood had threatened 10
take his own life. but how could she
face the scandal which such course
would involve? She would have TO
admit visiting Underwood's rooms at
midnight alone. That surely would
ruin her in the eyes not only OF her
husband. but OF the whole world. II
this sacrifice OF her good name were
necessary to save an innocent mans
life. perhaps she might summon up
enough courage to make 1t. But, after
all. she was by no means sure her.
self that Underwood had committed
suicide. Howard had confessed. so
why should she jeopardize her good
name uselessly?
NO" repeated the Judge. shaking
his head. there's something strange
in the whole affair. don't believe
Howard had any hand In 1t"
But he confessed" exclaimed
Alicia.
The Judge shook his head.
That's nothing" he said. There
have been many instances OF untrue
,,onFoecto,s Sayno,,s ,ry,tr =. .ho