Charlevoix county herald., 1911-06-10

quickly through the gates toward the
| house.
Annie tried to feel brave, but her
heart misgave her when she saw this
splendid home with all its evidence of
wealth, culture and refinement. 1t was
| the first time she had ever entered
its gates, although, in a measure, she
was entitled to look upon 1t as her
own home. Perhaps never so much
as now she realized what a deep gulf
] lay between her husbands family and
| herself. This was world she had
never known-a world of opulence
and luxury. She did not know how she
had summoned up courage enough to
come. Yet there was no time to be
lost. Immediate action was neces-
sary. Howard must have the best
lawyers that money could procure.
Judge Brewster had been deaf to her
entreaties. He had declined to take
the case. She had no money. How
ards father must come to his assist
ance. She would plead with him and
insist that 1t was his duty to stand
by his son. She wondered how he
would receive her, If he would put
her out or be rude to her. He might
tell the servants to shut the door In
her face. Timidly she rang the bell.
The butler opened the door, and sum-
moning up all her courage, she asked:
rs Mr.. Jeffries in?"
To her utter amazement the butler
offered no objection to her entering.
Mistaking her for a woman reporter,
several of whom had already called
that morning, he said:
60 right in the library, madam;
the other newspaper folk are there"
She passed through the splendid re-
ception hail. marveling inwardly at
the beautiful statuary and pictures,
self amid such splendid surroundings
| On the left there was a door draped
with handsome tapestry.
Right in there, MISS" said the
| butler.
She went in, and found herself in a
room of noble proportions, the walls
of which were lined with bookshelves
| filled with tones in rich bindings. The
| light that entered through the stained
| glass windows cast a subdued half
| light, warm and rich in color, on the
crimson plush furnishings. Near the
heavy fiat desk in the center of the
room a tall, distinguished man was
standing listening deprecatingly to
! the half dozen reporters who were
bombarding him with questions. AS
Annie entered the room she caught
the words of his reply:
THE young man who has inherited
my name has chosen his own path in
life. am grieved to say that his con-
duct at college, his marriage, has
completely separated him from his
family, and l have quite made up my
mind that in no way or manner can
his family become identified with any
steps he may take to escape the pen
atty of his mad act. l am his father,
and l suppose, under the circum-
stances, ought to say something. But
| have decided not to. l don't wish
to give the American public any ex-
cuse to think that l am palliating or
condoning his crime. Gentlemen,
wish you good-day."
Annie, who had been listening In.
tently, at once saw her opportunity.
Mr.. Jeffries had taken no notice Of
her presence, believing her to be a
newspaper writer like the others. AS
the reporters took their departure
| and filed out of the room, she re-
mained behind. AS the last one disap
peared she turned to the banker and
said:
May l speak to you moment?"
He turned quickly and looked at her
was conscious of her presence. Bow
ing courteously, he shook his head:
II am afraid l can do nothing for
you madam-as I've just explained to
your confreres of the press"
Annie looked up at him, and said
boldly:
Il am not a reporter, Mr.. Jeffries.
am your sons WIFE"
The banker started back In amaze.
ment. This woman, whom he had
taken for a newspaper reporter, was
an interloper, an imposter, the very
last woman in the world whom he
would have permitted to be admitted
to his house. He considered that she.
as much as anybody else, had con.
tributed to his sons ruin. Yet what
could he do? She was there, and he
was too much of a gentleman to have
her turned out bodily. Wondering at
his silence, she repeated softly:
I'm your sons wife, Mr.. Jeffries."
The banker looked at her a mo-
ment, as if taking her in from head to
foot. Then he said coldly:
Madam, l have no SON." He hesi-
"a I'd, a21 ned I:
dcl'. -,cc--..-se--"
She looked : him pleadirCly.
But l want to speak to you, sir"
Mr.. Jeffries shook his head, and
moved toward the door
81 repeat, l have nothing to say"
Annie planted herself directly in his