Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-08-16
But you don't understand. she said.

gently; Il am to blame"
You're too ready to blame your.
SELF" he said, testify.
Annie went up to him and laid her
hand affectionately on his shoulder.
With tears in her eyes. she said:
Let me tell you something. Judge.
His father was right when he said |
took advantage of him. | did. saw
that he was sentimental and self
willed, and all that. l started out to
attract him. l was tired of the life I
was living, the hard work, the loneli-
ness, and all the rest of 1t, and l made
up my mind to catch him If | could
didn't think it was wrong then, but
l do now. Besides" she went on, I'm
older than he is-five years older. He
thinks I'm three years younger, and
that he's protecting me from the world.
/ took advantage of his ignorance of
life"
Judge Brewster shrugged his shout
ders impatiently.
IF boys of rs are not men they
never will be-" Looking down at her
kindly, he went on: "'Pon my wordl
If l was 25, I'd let this divorce go
through and marry you myself"
"Oh, judge!"
That was all she could say, but there
was gratitude in the girls eyes. These
were the first kind words any one had
yet spoken to her. 1t was nice to
know that some one saw some good
in her. She was trying to think of
something to say, when suddenly there
was the click of key being inserted
in yale lock. The front door opened,
and Howard appeared.
well, judge!" he exclaimed, this is
surprised"
The lawyer looked at him gravely.
said. Quizzingly he added: You
look very pleased with yourself!"
This is the first opportunity I've had
to thank you for your Kindness" said
Howard, cordially.
You can thank your wife, my boy,
not mel" Changing the topic, he said:
$50 you're going abroad, eh?"
Yes, did Annie tell you? It's only
for a few months"
| lue lawyer llOWHeu. Tapping Ine
floor impatiently with his cane, he
said:
why are you going away?"
Taken absck at the question, How.
ard stammered:
| "Because-because-
Because l want him to CO." inter
rupted Annie quickly.
Tho 10 muar cbOnL bfc hand ond lob
ing steadily at Howard, he said
sternly:
"TI tell you, Howard, my boy.
You're going to escape from the scan.
dalmongers and the gosslping busy
bodies Forgive me for speaking plain,
ly, but you're going away because your
wife's conduct is topic of converse
ton among your friends"
Howard interrupted him.
You're mistaken, Judge; l don't
care a hang what people say"
Then why do you leave her here to
fight the battle alone?" demanded the
Judge, angrily.
Annie advanced, and raised her hand
deprecatingly. Howard looked at her
as If now for the first time he realized
the truth.
ITO fight the battle alone?" he
echoed.
YES" said the Judge. you are Civ
ing the world weapon with which to
strike at your wifel"
Howard was silent. The lawyers
words had struck home. Slowly he
said:
Il never thought of that. You're
right wanted to get away from II
all. Father offered me the chance and
Annie told me to go"
Annie turned to the Judge.
Please, Judge" she said, don't say
any more" Addressing her husband
she went on: HE didn't mean what he
said, Howard"
Howard hung his head.
Hes quite right. Annie" he said
shamefacedly. 81 never should have
consented to go; was wrong"
Judge Brewster advanced and pat
ted him kindly on the back.
Good boyl" he said. Now, Mrs
Jeffries, I'll tell your husband the
truth"
mol" she cried.
Then I'll tell him without your per
mission" he retorted. Turning to the
young man, he went on: Howard
your wife is an ANGEL She's too good
woman for this world. She has no
hesitated to sacrifice her good name
her happiness, to shield another won
an. And that woman-the woman VIII,
called at Underwood's room that nigh
was Mrs. Jeffries, your stepmotherl
Howard stared back in amazement.
tits true, then, did recognize hel
voicel" he cried.
Turning to his wife, he said: "Oh
Annie, why didn't you tell me! YOU
saved my stepmother from disgrace
you spared my fatherl Oh, that wal
noble of you'll" In low tone he whis
pered: Don't send me away from
you, Anniel Let me stay and prove