The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-06-29
CHAPTER XVI.

Now. my dear young woman" said
Judge Brewster. when the astonished
head clerk had withdrawn. III We are
going to get your husband free W.
must get to work, and you must help
me"
His visitor looked up eagerly.
III do anything in my power" she
said quickly. What can I do?"
"Well-frst OF all. said the lawyer
with some hesitation. I want you
to see certain lady and to be ex.
ceedingly nice to her"
Lady," echoed Annie. surprised.
What LADY,"
Mrs. Howard Jeftries. ST." he re,
piled slowly.
"Howard's stepmother!" she eiacu.
lated.
A clerk entered and handed his EN-.
ployer card The lawyer nodded
and said in an undertone:
Show her in. Turning round
again, he went on: "Yes-Howard's
stepmother. She's out there now. She
wants to see you. She wishes to be
of service to you. Now. you must
conciliate her. She may be OF srea;
use to US"
Ann!e's face expressed considerable
doubt.
Perhaps So" she said. but the
door was slammed in my face when ]
called to see her"
That's ,Iothing." answered the
Judge. Size probably knows nothing
about it. In any case, please remem.
Der that she is my client"
She bowed her head and murmured
obediently:
III remember"
The door OF the Office opened and
Alicia entered. She stopped short on
seeing who was there. and an awk.
ward pause followed. Judge Brewster
introduced them.
Mrs. JeHrles. may present Mrs.
Howard, Jr.?"
Alicia bowed stia and somewhat
haughtily. Annie remained self-pos-
sessed and on the defensive. Address.
ing the bankers wife. the lawyer said:
Il tod Mrs. Howard that you
wished to speak TO her" After a pause
ne added Il think. perhaps. I'll leave
you together. Excuse me-"
He left the office and there was an
other embarrassing silence. Annie
waited for Mrs. Jenries to begin. Her
attitude suggested that she expected
something unpleasant and was fully
prepared FOR It AT last Alicia broke
the silence:
You may think it strange that
have asked for this interview" she
began. but you know, Annie" In
terruptlns herself. she asked: You
don't mind my calling you Annie, do
your"
The young woman smiled.
Il don't see why l should. It's my
name and we're relatives-by mar.
rage There was IN ironical ring
in her voice as she went on: "Rela-
tiyes! It seems funny. doesn't It, but
We don't pick and choose our rela-
tives. We must take them as they
come"
Alicia made an effort to appear con.
ciliatory.
las We ase-what We are-let's. try
to make the best OF It"
Make the best of it," echoed An
ME. God knows I'm willing. but I'VE
had mighty little encouragement.
Mrs. Jeffries. When called TO see
you the other day, to beg you to use
your influence with Mr.. Jefries. not
at home was handed 10 me by the
Inverted footman and the door was
slammed in my face. Ten minutes
later you walked out to your carriage
and were driven away"
y knew nothing Of this-believe
me-" murmured Alicia apologetically.
ITS what got just the same" said
the other dryly. Quickly she went on:
But I'm not complaining. understand
I'm not complaining. ONLY l did
think that at such time one woman
might have held out helping hand
to another"
Alicia held up her hand protest.
ingly.
How could II" she exclaimed.
Now, be reasonable. You are held
responsible for Towards present 20
sition."
-yes-oy sSe police resOssd An