The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-04-05

accept CHARITY. II u0Su W aIAAu8
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 him again?"
"What! Not see him once moref
To say good-by?" she exclaimed. A
broken sob half checked her utterance.
Surely, you can't mean that. Mr.. Jefc-
ries."
The banker shrugged his shoulders.
II don't want the newspapers filled
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-
casm.
Not even to say good-by?" she
sobbed.
NO." replied Mr.. Jeffries firmly.
Not even to say good-by."
But what will he say? What will
he thinkT she cried.
"He will see it is for the best" an
swered the banker. HE himself will
thank you for your action"
There was a long silence, broken
only by the sound Of the girls sob
bling. Finally she said:
Every well, sir. I'll do as you say"
She looked up. 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 gesture Of Inn
patience. as If such considerations
were not important.
II don't know yet" he said. haught-
ily 81 shall think the matter over
carefully"
Annie was fast losing patience. She
was willing to sacrifice herself and
give up everything she held dear in
life to save the man she loved. but
tae cold. deliberate, calculating atti-
tude of this unnatural father exas-
perated her.
"But want to know" she said,
boldly ri want to consider the mat
ter carefully, too"
"You? sneered Mr.. Jeffries.
Eyes. SIR" she retorted I'm pay
ing dearly for it-with my-with all
l have. want to know just what
you're going to give him for it."
He was lost in reflection for mo-
ment, then he said. pompously:
Il shall furnish the money for the
employment of such legal talent as
may be necessary. That's as far as I
wish to go In the case. It must not
be known-I cannot allow it to be
known that / am helping him."
Must not be known" cried Annie,
In establishment "You mean you
won't stand by him? You'll only Just
pay for the lawyer"
The banker nodded:
THAT is all / can promise"
| She laughed Historically
why" she exclaimed, Ell could
do that myself If II tried hard
enough"
Il can promise nothing MORE" re.
piled, Mr.. yeffries, coldly.
"But that is not enough, she pro-
tested II want you to come forward
and publicly declare your belief in
your sons innocence. want you to
put your arms around him and say to
the world: My boy is innocent!
know 1t and I'm going to stand by
him. You won't do that?"
! Mr.. Jeffries shook his head.
1T Is impossible"
| The wife's pent-up feelings now
gave way. The utter Indifference of
this arisiocratic father aroused her
indignation to such a pitch that she
became reckless of the consequences.
They wanted her to desert him, just
| as they deserted him, but she
wouldn't. She would show them the
kind OF woman she was.
| "So!" she cried In an outburst Of
mingled anger and grief. SO his fam
| fly must desert him and his wife
must leave him! The poor boy must
stand absolutely alone in the world,
and face trial for his life! Is that
the idea?"
The banker made no reply. Snap
ping her fingers, she went on:
well, 1t isn't mine, Mr.. Jeffries! I
won't consent to q divorce! I won't
leave America! And I'll see him just
as often as can. even IL have to
sit IN the Tombs prison all day. AS
for his defense, Ill hnd some one. I'll
go to Judge Brewster again and II he
still refuses, I'll 60 to some one else.
There must be some good, big-hearted
lawyer in this great city who'll take
up his case"
Trembling with emotion, she read
/ justed her veil and with her handkerl
chief dried her tear-stained face. Co
ing toward the door. she said:
You needn't troubA yourself any
more, Mr.. Je1ries We shan't need
your help. Thank you very much for
/ the interview. It was very kind Of
you to listen so patiently. Good after
noon. sir.
Before the astonished banker could
stop her, she had thrown back the
| tapestry and disappeared through the