Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-07-25
took advantage Of him. ! did. Isaw


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.
l 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 1 was %, 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 mad
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 key being inserted
in yale lock- The front door opened
and Howard appeared.
well, judge!" he exclaimed, this Is
surprised"
The lawyer looked at him gravely.
How do you do, young MANI" ne
said. Quizzingly he added: You
look very pleased with yonrself!
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 topic, he said;
so you're going abroad, eh?"
Yes, did Annie tell you? It's only
for 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 l want him to 60" inter
rupted Annie quickly.
The lawyer shook his head, and look.
ing steadily at Howard, he said
sternly:
I'll tell you, Howard, my boy.
You're going to escape from the scan
dalmongers and the gossiping busy
bodies Forgive me for speaking plain
", but you're going away because your
wife's conduct is topic of converse.
ton among your friends"
Howard interrupted him.
You're mistaken, Judge; I don't
care hang what people say"
Then why do you leave her here to
fight the battle alone?" demanded the
Judge, angrily
Annie advanced, and raised her hand
deprecatingly. Howard looked at her
as if now for the first tiLe he realized
| the truth.
ITO fight the battle alone?" he
| echoed.
Yes" said the judge, you are Civ
ing the world a weapon with which to
strike at your wife!"
Howard was silent The lawyer
| words had struck home. Slowly he
said:
q never thought of that. You're
right! l wanted to get away from ii
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
He's quite right, Annie" he said,
oh afn
consented to go; 1 was wrong"
Judge Brewster advanced and pat
ted him kindly on the back.
Good boy!" he said. Nov, Mrs.
Jeffries, I'll tell your husband the
truth"
mol" she cried
'Then I'll tell him without your per-
mission" he retorted Turning to the
young man, he went on: Howard,
your wife is an angel! She's too good
a woman for this world. She has not
hesitated to sacrifice her good name,
her happiness, to shield another WON.
an. And that woman-the woman who
called at Underwoods room that night
was Mrs. Jetries. your stepmotherl"
Howard stared back in amazement.
Its true, then, did recognize her
voice!" he cried.
Turning to his wife, he said: ooh,
Annie, why didn't you tell me? You
saved my stepmother from disgrace,
you spared my father! Oh, that was
noble of you!" In low tone he whis-
pered Don't send me away from
you, Annie!- Let me stay and prove
that I'm worthy of you!"
To the young wife it all seemed like
dream, almost too good to be real
The dark, troubled days were ended.
A long life, bright with its promise Of
happiness, was before them.
But what of the future, Howard?"
she demanded, gently.
Judge Brewster answered the ques-
ton.
I've thought of that" he said.
Howard, will you come into my office
and study law? You can show your ia
Their what you can do with a good wife
to second your efforts
Howard grasped his outstretched
hand.
Thanks, judge, accept" he replied
heartily.
Turning to his wife, he took her in
his arms. Her head fell on his shout
der. Looking up at him shyly and
smiling through her tears, she muir.
INJURED, softly:
Il am happy now-at last"
ALIIl END ES&& N<Sl
9eefsS5j l62 MUS