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

other embarrassing silence. Annie
waited for Mrs. Jeffries to begin. Her
attitude suggested that she expected
something unpleasant and was fully
prepared for it. At last Alicia broke
the silence:
You may think it strange that
have asked for this interview" she
began, but you know, Annie In
! terrupting herself, she asked: You
don't mind my calling you Annie, DO
you?"
The young woman smiled.
Il don't see why l should. It's my
name and we're relatives-by mar
riage." There was an irOnical ring
! In her voice as she went on: "Reia-
! tives, 1t seems funny, doesn't it, but
we don't pick and choose our rela'
tives. We must take them as they
! come"
Alicia made an effort to appear con-
ciliatory
LAS 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 l 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 l got just the same" said
the other dryly. Quickly she went on:
"But I'm not complaining, understand
I'm not complaining. ONLY | 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.
"Now. be reasonable. You are held
responsible for Howard's present po-
sition."
"Yes-by the police" retorted An
ME grimly, land by couple of yellow
Journals. / didn't think you'd believe
ull 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
aud his social position"
''Old Jeffries!'" protested Alicia
Indignantly. Have you no respect
ior your husbands father?
"Not a particle" answered the 9th
er coolly, "and never will have Till
he acts like father. / only had one
interview with him and 1t tnisned
him with me for all time. He amt
father-he's a fish,"
"A fish," exclaimed Alicia. scandal
lied at such lese majestic.
Annie went on recklessly:
"Yes-a cold-blooded-"
but surely" interrupted Alicia
you respect his position-his-'
mo, NM respect a man because
he behaves like a 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 yoa married Howard
you-vou made mistake-to say the
least"
"Yes, Il at part OF it has been made
pretty plain. 1t was a mistake-hls
mistake my mistake. But now lts
done and It can't be undone. | don't
see why you can't take it as 1t Is and
- and :"
She stopped short and Alicia COM
pleted the sentence for her:
and Welcome you into our fam
fly
"Welcorre me?. No, ma'am. I'm
not welcome and nothing you or your
set could say would ever make me De-
lieve that | was welcome. All ask
is that Hogard's father do his duty Dy
his SON.
81 do nnt think-pardon my saying
So" inter rupted Alicia stifiiy "that
YOU are quite in position to Judge
of what Constitutes Mr. Jeffries' duty
to his scr
Perhaps not. ! only know what
would do-what my father Would
have done what any one would DO II
they had 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 ont OF the win
dow. Her face still averted she SAID:
What is there to do? Howard mas
acknowledged his guilt What sac
fees we may make will be thrown
away
Annie eved her cOmDaniOn with con-