Charlevoix county herald., 1911-06-17

have your promise-you will not at
tempt to see him again?"
What! Not see him once more7
To say good-by?" she exclaimed. A
broken sob half checked her utterance.
Surely you can't mean that, Mr.. jeff
ries"
The banker shrugged his shoulders.
Il don't want the newspapers filled
with sensational articles about the
heartrending farewell interview be-
tween Howard Jeffries, Jr., and his
wife-with your picture on the front
page"
She was not listening to his sar-
casm.
mot even to say good-by?" she
sobbed
NO" replied Mr.. Jeffries firmly.
"Not even to say good-by.'
"But what will he say? What will
he think" she cried.
swered the banker. "He himself will
thank you for your action"
There was long silence, broken
only by the sound of the girls sob
bing. Finally she said:
Every well. sir. I'll do as you say"
She looked up. Her eyes were dry,
the lines about her mouth set and de-
termined. Now" she said, what are
you going to do for him?"
The banker made a gesture OF i'm
patience, as IL such considerations
were not important.
81 don't know yet" he said, haught
lily. II shall think the matter over
carefully"
Annie was fast losing patience. She
was willing to sacrifice herself and
give up everything she held dear in
! life to save the man she loved, but
the cold. deliberate, calculating atti-
tude of this unnatural father exas
perated her.
"But l want to know" she said,
boldly. Il want to consider the mat
ter carefully, too"
"You?' sneered Mr. Jeffries.
"Yes, sir" she retorted. I'm pay
ing dearly for it-with my-with all
| have. | want TO know just what
you're going to give him for it."
He was lost in reflection for mo-
ment, then he said, pompously:
81 shall furnish the money for the
employment of such legal talent as
may be necessary. That's as far as
wish to go in the case. 1t must not
be Known cannot allow it to be
known that I am helping him."
Must not be known" cried Annie,
in astonishment. You mean you
won't stand by him? You'll only just
pay for the lawyer"
The banker nodded:
THAT is all l can promise"
She laughed Historically.
Why" she exclaimed. T-I could
do that myself IL II tried hard
enough"
Il can promise nothing more" re-
piled Mr.. Jeffries, coldly.
"But that is not enough" she pro-
tested. 81 want you to come forward
and publicly declare your belief in
your sons innocence. l want you to
put your arms around him and say to
the world My boy is innocent! l
know it and I'm going to stand by
him. You won't do that?"
Mr.. Jeffries shook his head.
at is impossible"
The wifes pent-up feelings now
gave way The utter indifference of
this aristocratic father aroused her
indignation to such a pitch that she
became reckless Of the consequences.
They wanted her to desert him, just
as they deserted him, but she
wouldn't. She would show them the
kind of woman she was.
SOL" she cried in an outburst of
mingled anger and grief. $50 his fam
lily must desert him and his wife
must leave him! The poor boy must
stand absolutely alone in the world.
and face trial for his life! Is that
the idea?"
The banker made no reply Snap.
ping her fingers, she went on:
well, IL isn't mine, Mr.. Jeffries. I
won't consent to a divorce! l won't
leave America! And I'll see him Just
dS OiltH Cdu, even II Il nave 10
sit in the Tombs prison all day. AS
for his defense, I'll find some one. I'll
go to Judge Brewster again and IL he
still refuses. I'll go to some one else.
There must be some good. big-hearted
lawyer in this great city who'll take
up his case"
Trembling with emotion, she read
justed her veil and with her handler
chief dried her tear-stained face. Co
ing toward the door, she said
you needn't trouble yourself any
more. Mr.. Jeffries. We shan't need
your help. Thank you very much for
the interview. 1t was very kind of
you to listen so patiently. Good after
noon, sir"
Before the astonished banker could
stop her. she had thrown back the
tapestry and disappeared through the
door.
sTo BE coNrINuED9