The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1911-10-06


alf," he said, testify.
Annie went up to him and laid her
hand affectionately on his shoulder
With tears in her eye he said:
Let me tell you SO" ething, judge
His father was right when he said
took advantage of him. | did. Isaw
that he was sentimental and self
willed, and all hat. | started out to
attract him. | was tired of the life
was living, the hard work, the loneli-
ness, and all the rest of it, and made
I'D my mind to catch him If | could,
didn't think it was wrong then, but
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.
I 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!
if / 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 any one had
yet spoken to her. 1t was nice to
know that some one saw some good
in her. She was trying to think Of
something to say, when suddenly there
was the click of a key being inserted
in yale lock- The front door opened,
and Howard appeared.
We'll, judge!" he exclaimed, this Is
a surprised"
The lawyer looked at him gravely.
How do you do, young man?' he
said. Quizzingly he added: You
look very pleased with yourself!"
This is the first opportunity I've had
to thank you for your kindness" said
Howard, cordially.
"You can thank your wife, my boy,
, not mel" Changing the topio. he said:
80 you're going abroad, chr
, YES, did Annie tell you? It's only
for a few months"
A The lawyer frowned. Tapping the
floor impatiently with his cane, he
} said:
why are you going away7'
Taken aback at the question. How
ard stammered:
"Because-becauss-
Because l want him to CO." inter
rupted Annie quickly.
The lawyer shook his head, and look
ing steadily at Howard. lie said
sternly:
"Tll tell you, Howard, nay boy
You're going to escape from tle scan
dalmongers and the gosslplng busy
bodies. Forgive me .or speaking plain
ly, but you're going away because your
wife's conduct is a topic of canversa
| ton among your friends"
i Howard interrupted him.
| You're mistaken. Judge; | don't
care hang what people say"
| Then why do you leave her here tc
i fight the battle alons?" demasded the
\ Judge, angrily
/! Annie advanced, aid raised her hant
deprecatingly. Howard looked at hel
as if now for the first time he realized
the truth.
ITO fight the battle aloEe?" h'
echoed.
Yes" said the judge, you are Civ
ing the world WEAPON with which tt
strike at your wife,"
Howard was silent The lawyer!
words had struck home. Skswly h'
said:
, II never thought of that. You're
right | wanted to get away from l
ALL Father offered me the cnsace ant
Annie told me to go"
Annie turned to the Judge.
please. judge" she said, don't sa,
any more" Addressing or husband
she went on: He didn't n-eal what h
T said, Howard"
Howard hung his head
Hes quite right, Annie" he said
shamefacedly. Il never Should hav
consented to go; I was wrong
S Judge Brewster advanced aad pal
ted him kindly on the back
Good boy!" he said. NOV, Mrs
"a Jeffries, III tell your huabaad tn
truth"
: mot" she cried.
"a Then I'll tell him without your PEI
IL mission" he retorted. Turning to tn
Is young man, he went on: Howard
your wife is an angel! Shes too goo
N a woman for this world. She has nc
hesitated to sacrifice her GOOD name
a her happiness, to shield snother won
an. And that woman-the woman VIII
at called at Underwood's room that nigh
k. was Mrs. Jeffries, your etepmDther!
n Foward stared back in amazsment'
IT, Its true, then, did recognize he
IN voicel" he cried.
y Turning to his wife, he said "Oi
lie Aonie, why didn't you tell me! Yo
IN saved my stepmother from d.sgrac'
ut you spared my fatherl oh. tat wa
at noble of you!" In low tone he Will
lie pered: Don't send me away froI
Id you, Annie! Let RE stay ana prov
that I'm worthy of you'll"
he To the young wife it all seemed lik