, 1910-09-01

impossible!"
"Bu you don't understand" she said,
gently; Il am to blame"
You're too ready to blame your
SELF" he said. testify.
Annie went up to him and laid her
hand aff%ectionately on his shoulder.
With tears in her eyes. she said:
Let me tell o something. Judge.
His father was right when he said |
took advantage of him. | did. saw
that he was sentimental and self
willed, and all that. l started GU to
attract him l was tired of the life I
was living, the hare work, the loneli-
ness, and all the rest OF it, and | made
lup my mind to catch him if | could.
/ didn't hin 1t was wrong then, but
I do now. Besides she went on, I'm
older than he is-five years older. He
thinks I'm three years younger, and
that he's protecting me from the world.
/ took advantage of his Ignorance of
life"
Judge Brewster shrugged his shout
'ders impatiently.
"If BOYS of 25 are not men they
never will be-" Looking down at her
kindly, he went on: "'Pon my word!
IL l was rs, I'd let this divorce go
Through and marry you myself"
"Oh, judge!"
That was all she could say, but there
was gratitude in the girls eyes. These
were the first kind words n one had
yet spoken to her. 1t was nice to
know that some one saw some good
lin her. She was trying to think OF
Isomething to say, when suddenly there
was the click of a key being inserted
In a yale lock. The front door opened,
land Howard appeared.
well, Judged" he exclaimed, this is
surprised"
The lawyer looked at him gravely.
How do you do. young MANI" he
said. Quizzingly he added: You
look very pleased with YOURSELF"
This is the first opportunity I've had
Ito thank you for you kindness" said
Howard. cordially.
You can thank your wife, my boy,
mot mel" Changing the topic, he said:
$50 you're going abroad, eh?"
Yes, did Annie tell you? It's only
for a few months"
The lawyer frowned. Tapping the
floor impatiently with his cane, he
said:
why are you going away"
Taken aback at the question, How
ard stammered:
"Because-because-"
Because | want him to 60" inter-
Irupted Annie quickly.
The lawyer shook his head, and look
ling steadily at Howard, he said
|sterply:
I'll tell you, Howard, my boy.
You're going to escape from the scan
ldalmongers and the gossfping busy
bodies. Forgive me for speaking plain
lly, but you're going away because your
lwife's conduct is a topic of conversa-
Ition among our friends"
Howard interrupted him.
You're mistaken. Judge; 1 don't
lcare a hang what people say
Then why do o leave her here to
fight the battle alone?" demanded the
Judge. angrily.
Annie advanced, and raised her hand
ldeprecatingly. Howard looked at her
las II now for the first time he realized
1.-THE truth.
ITO fight the battle alone?" he
ECHOED.
Yes" sal the Judge, you are Civ.
ling the world a weapon with which to
strike at your wife!"
Howard was silent. The lawyers
words had struck home. Slowly he
said:
II never thought of that. You're
right! wanted to get away from 1t
all. Father offered me the chance and
Annie told me to go"
Annie turned to the Judge.
please. judge" she said, don't say
any more" Addressing her husband.
she went on: He didn't mean what he
said, Howard"
Howard hung his head.
Hes quite right. Annie" he said,
shamefacedly. II never should have
consented to go; | was wrong"
Judge Brewster advanced and pat
ted him kindly on the back.
Good boy!" he said. Now, Mrs.
Jeffries, I'll tell your husband the
truth"
MOI" she cried.
"Then I'll tell him without your per-
mission" he retorted. Turning to the
young man. he went on: Howard.
your wife Ii an angel! She's too good
q woman for this world. She has not