The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-06-01
CHAPTER xv.-cOntInued.

"And you know what mine are!"
exclaimed the banker, holly. Il re-
fuse to be engulfed in this wave of
hysterical sympathy with criminals.
/ will not be stamped with the same
hall mark as the man who takes the
life of his fellow being-though the
man be my own son. / will not set
the seal Of approval on crime by de-
Tending It."
The lawyer bowed and said calmly:
"Then, sir. you must expect ex-
actly what is happening. This girl,
whatever she may be, is devoted to
your son. She is his wife. She'll go
to any extreme TO help him-even to
selling her name for money to pay
for his defense"
The banker threw UP his hands with
impotence.
tits a matter OF principle with me.
Her devotion Is not the question"
With a knocking laugh he went on:
"Sentimentality doesn't appeal to me.
The whole thing is distasteful and
hideous to me. My instructions to you
are to prevent her using the family
name on the stage, to buy her off on
her own terms, to get rid Of her at
any price
Except the price she asks" inter
posed the lawyer, dryly. Shaking his
head, he went on:
You'll find that wifes devotion Ia
a very strong motive power, Jeffries.
1t will move irresistibly forward In
spite of all the barriers you and can
erect to stay its progress. That may
sound like a platitude. but It's fact
nevertheless"
Alicia, who had been listening with
varied emotions to the conversation.
now interrupted timidly:
Perhaps Judge Brewster is right,
dear. After all. the girl is working
to save your son. Public opinion may
think 1t unnatural"
The banker turned on his wife.
Sternly he said:
Alicia. cannot permit you to In
terfere. That young man is a self
confessed murderer and therefore no
son of mine I've done with him long
ago. / cannot be moved by maudlir
sentimentality. Please let that be
final" Turning to the lawyer. he
said, coldly:
80. In the matter of this stage
business, you can take no steps to re-
strain her?"
The lawyer shook his head.
mo, there is nothing can do"
Quickly he added: "Of course, you
don't doubt my loyalty to yous"
Mr. Jeffries shook his head.
mo, no, Brewster"
The lawyer laughed as he said:
Right or wrong. you know-'my
country'-that is, my client it's of
thee" Turning to Alicia, he added,
laughingly: That's, the painful part
of lawyers profession, Mrs. Jeffries.
The clients weakness is the lawyers
strength. When men hate each other
and rob each other we lawyers don't
pacify them. We dare not, because
that is our profession. We encour-
age them. We pit them against each
other for profit If we didn't they'd
go to some lawyer who would"
Alicia gave a feeble smile.
Yes" she replied; I'm afraid we
all love to be advised to do what we
want to do"
Mr.. Jeffries made an impatient ges-
ture of dissent. Scofingly he re-
marked:
"That may apply to the great gen.
erality of people. but not to me-"
Judge Brewster looked skeptical,
hut made no further comment. The
banker rose an6 Alicia followed suit.
AL he moved toward the door. he
turned and said:
Drop in and see me this evening.
Brewster. Mrs. Jeffries will be de-
lighted If you will dine with U.s."
Alicia smiled graciously. do come,
Judge. we shall be all alone"
The lawyer bent low. over her hand
as he said good-by Mr.. Jeffries had
already reached the door. when he
turned again and said:
Are you sure a very liberal offer
wouldn't INDUCE her to drop the
name?" -.