Okolona messenger., 1911-12-14

rage. lnere was an uonlcal ring
in her voice as she went GA: "Rela.
tives! 1t seems funny, doesn't 1t, but
we don't pick and choose our rela-
tives. We must take them as they
come"
Alicia made an effort to appear con.
ciIiatory.
"As we are-what we are-let's try
to make the best of it."
Make the best of it?" echoed An
ME. God knows I'm willing, but I've
had mighty little encouragement,
Mrs. Jeffries. When / called to see
you the other day, to beg you to use
your influence with Mr.. Jeffries, not
at home was handed to me by the
liveried footman and the door was
slammed in my face. Ten minutes
later you walked out to your carriage
and were driven away"
II knew nothing of this--believe
me-" murmured Alicia apologetically.
Its what got just the same" said
the other dryly. Quickly she went on:
But I'm not complaining, understand
I'm not complaining. Only l did
think that at such time one woman
might have held out a helping hand
to another"
Alicia held up her hand protest
ingly.
How could II" she exclaimed.
Nov, be reasonable. You are held
responsible for Howards present pO-
sition."
"Yes-by the police" retorted An
ME grimly, "and by couple Of yellow
journals. didn't think you'd believe
all the gossip and scandal that's been
printed about me. / didn't believe
what was said about you"
Alicia started and changed color.
What do you mean?" she exclaimed
haughtily. What was said about
me?'
well, 1t has been said that you
married old Jeffries for his money
and his social position"
"'Old Jeffries!'" protested Alicia
Indignantly. Have you no respect
for your husbands father?"
mot a particle" answered the 9th
er coolly "and l never will have till
he acts like father. I only mad one
interview with him and it finished
him with me for all time. He amt q
father-he's a fish"
"A fish" exclaimed Alicia, scandal
ized at such lese majestic.
Annie went on recklessly:
"Yes-a cold-blooded-"
But surely" interrupted Alicia,
you respect his position-his--"
mo, nm; respect man because
he behaves like man, not because
he lives in a marble palace on River
side drive"
Alicia looked panied, This girl
was certainly impossible.
But surely" she said, you real
lied that when you married Howard
you-you made mistake-to say the
least?"
Eyes, that part of 1t has been made
pretty plain. 1t was mistake-his
mistakenly mistake. But now it's
done and 1t can't be undone. l don't
see why you can't take it as it Is and
and"
She stopped short and Alicia COM
pleted the sentence for her:
and welcome you into our fam
lily"
Welcome me? No, ma'am. I'm
not welcome and nothing you or your
set could say would ever make me be-
lieve that / was welcome. All l ask
is that Howard's father do his duty by
his SON"
Il do not think-pardon my saying
So" interrupted Alicia stif1y, that
you are quite in a position to Judge
of what constitutes Mr.. Jeffries' duty
to his SON"
Perhaps not only know what
l would do-what my father would
have done-what any one would do If
they had a spark of humanity in them.
But they do say that after three gen.
erations of society life red blood turns
into blue"
Alicia turned to look out of the win
dow. Her face still averted she said:
What is there to do? Howard has
acknowledged his guilt. What sac
fees we may make will be thrown
away"
Annie eyed her companion with con-
tempt. Her voice quivering with in
dignation, she burst out:
What is there to do! Try and save
him, of course Must we sit and do
nothing because things look black?
All! l wasn't brought up that way.
No, maam, I'm going to make a
fight"
IT'S useless" murmured Alicia,
shaking her head.
Judge Brewster doesn't think 3d."
replied the other calmly.
The bankers wife gave a start Of
surprise. Quickly she demanded:
"You mean that Judge Brewster has
encouraged you Toto"
Hes done more than encourage me
God bless him!-he's going to take
up the case"
Alicia was so thunderstrucR that for
a moment she could find no answer.
What" she exclaimed, without
consulting Mr.. Jeffries?"
She put her handkerchief to her
face to conceal her agitation. Could
1t be possible that the Judge was go.
/ oaAa- 1T H.