The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-03


Sterniy he said:
Alicia, I cannot permit you TO In
terfere. That young man Is self
confessed murderer and therefore no
son Of mine. I've done with him long
ago / cannot be moved by maudlin
sentimsntality. Please let that be
final" Turning to the lawyer. ne
said, coldly:
$50. In the matter Of this stage
business. you can take no steps to re-
strain herr"
The lawyer shook his head.
mo. there is nothing ! can do.
Quietly he added: "Of course. you
doh doubt my loyalty to your
Mr.. Jefiries shook his head.
mo, no. Brewster"
The lawyer laughed as he said:
Right or wrong. you know-'my
country'-that IL, my client tbs OF
thee" Turning to Alicia, he added.
laughiBely: That's the painful part
of a lawyers profession, Mrs. Je1ries.
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 eacn
other for croet. II We didn't they'd
20 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,
but made no further comment. Inc
banker rose and Alicia followed suit
AS he moved toward the door, ne
turned and said:
Drop in and see me this evening,
Brewaer. 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 ne
turned again and said:
"Are you sure very liberal offer
wouldn't induce her to drop the
name?"
The lawyer shook his head doubt
fully.
"Well, see what you can do" cried
the banker. To his wife he said:
~Are you coming, Alicia?"
"Just a moment, dear" she replied.
at want to say word to the Judge"
"All right" replied the banker. I'll
be outside" He opened the door, and
as he did so he turned to the lawyer;
'If there are any new developments
let me know at once"
He left the office and Alicia breathed
a sigh of relief She did not love her
husband. but she feared him. He
was not only 20 years ht- senior, but
his cold. sristocratic manner intimi-
Aased her. Her first impulse had been
to tSll him everything. but she dare
not. His manner discouraged her. He
would begin to ask questions, ques-
tions which she could not answer
without seriously discriminating her
self. But her conscience would not
allow her to stand entirely aloof from
the tragedy In which her husbands
scapegrace son was involved. She
felt a strange, unaccountable desire to
meet this girl Howard had married.
In a quick undertone to the lawyer,
she said:
'T must see that woman, Judge.
think ! can persuade her to change
her course Of action. In any case
must see her. ! must" Looking at
him questioningly. she said: "You
don't think 1t inadvisable. do you?"
The Judge smiled grimly.
'T think I'd better see her FIRST" he
said "SupUose you come back lit
tie later Tie more than probable that
eheIl be here this afternoon. I'll
see her and arrange for an interview"
There 40 a knock at the door, and
Alicia started guiltily. thinking her
husband might have overheard their
conversation The head clerk entered
ard whispered something to the judge.
after which he retired. The lawyer
turned to Alicia with a smile.
Its just as I thought" he said.
pleasantly. she's out there now.
You'd better go and leave her to me-"
The door opened again unceremon-
iously and Mr.. Jeffries put in his
head
Aren't you coming. Alicia?" he de-
manded, impatiently. In lower
voice to the lawyer, he added: Say.
brewster. that woman is outside in
your office. Now is your opportunity
70 come to some arrangement with
her"
Again Mrs Jeffries held out her
hand
"Good-by, Judge you're so kind.
II needs a lot of patience to be a