The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-31

oettie aione. went you nelp me, MI
Jenries?" she added pleadingly
''yo-'t you help me-"
The banker was thoughtful a min
ute. then suddenly ne turned ON her.
win you consent to divorce IL I
agree to help him?"
She looked at him with dismay.
There was tragic tenseness I'm this
dramatic situation--a father fighting
for his son. a woman fighting for her
husband
"A divorce?" she stammered. why.
I never thought of such a thing as
that"
"Its the only way to save him."
said the banker coldly.
"The only way?" she faltered.
The only way" said Mr.. Jeffries
frrnly do you CONSENT" he asked.
Annie threw up her head. Her pale
face was full of determination. as she
replied resignedly. catching her breath
as she spoke:
Yes. II II must he. I will consent
to divorce-to save him."
you will leave che country and go
abroad to live?" continued the banker
coldly.
She listened as In a dream. That
she would be confronted by such an
alternative as this had never entered
her mind She wondered why the
world was so cruel and heartless. Yet
II the sacrifice must be made to save
Howard she was ready to make IT,
you will leave America and never
return-is that understood?" repeated
the banker.
Yes. STR" she replied falteringly.
Mr.. Jeffries paced nervously up and
down the room. For the f1rst time
he seemed to take an interest In the
Interview. Patronizingly he said:
You will receive yearly allow
ance through my lawyer"
Annie tossed up her chin defiantly.
She would show the aristocrat that
she could be as proud as he was.
Thanks" she exclaimed. II don't
accept charity. I'm used to earning
my own living"
"Oh. very well." replied the banker
quickly. That's as you please. But
have your promise-you will not at
tempt to see htm again?"
What! Not see him once more?
To say good-by?" she exclaimed. A
broken sob half checked her utterance.
Surely you can't mean that, Mr.. JEFF
ries."
The banker shrugged his shoulders.
II don't want the newspapers filed
with sensational articles about the
heartrending farewell interview be-
tween Howard Jeffries. Jr.. and his
wife-with your picture on the front
page"
She was not listening to his sar-
cssm
Not even 10 say good-by?" she
sobbed
NO" replied Mr. Ietfries firmly
Not even TO say good.by"
But what viii re say? What will
he think? she crieu.
He will see II is for the best" an
swered the banker. He himself will
thank you for your action"
There was long silence, broken
only by the sound of the girls sob
bing. Finally she said:
Very well, sir. I'll do as you say
She looked mp. Her eyes were dry.
the lines about her mouth set and de-
termined. Now" she said. what are
you going to do for him?"
The banker made q gesture Of I'm
>patience. as II such considerations
we're not important.
Il don't know yet" he said. haught-
ily. II shall think the matter over
carefully"
Annie was fast losing patience. She
was willing 10 sacrifice herself and
give up everything she held dear I'm
life TO save the man she loved. but
the cold. deliberate. calculating atti.
tude of this unnatural father exas.
perated her.
But want To know" she said,
boldly. Il want to consider the mat.
ter carefully. too"
Your sneered Mr.. Jeffries.
Yes. SIR" she retorted. I'm pay.
Ing dearly for it-with my-with all
i have. want TO know Just what
you're going TO give him for IT,"
lie was lost In reflection for a mo-
ment. then he said. pompously:
Il shall furnish the money for the
employment OF such lesal talent as
may be necessary. That's as far as
wish TO 40 In the case. II must not
be Known cannot allow II to be
known that ! am helping him."
Must not be known" cried Annie.
In astonishment. You mean you
won't stand by him? You'll only just
pay for the lawyer?"
The banker nodded:
That is all I can promise"
She laughed Historically.
Why" she exclaimed. II could
do that myself IL II tried hard