Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-08-22

never will be-" Looking down at her
kindly, lie went On: "'Pon my word!
If | was 25, I'd let this divorce go
through and marry o myself"
"Oh, judged"
That was all she could say, but there
was gratitude in the girls eyes. These
were the first kind words any n had
yet spoken to her. 1t was nice to
know that some n saw some good
in her. She was trying to think OF
something to say. when suddenly there
was the click of q key being inserted
In a yale lock. The front door opened,
and Howard appeared.
We'll. judged" he exclaimed. this is
a surprised"
The lawyer looked at him gravely.
How do you do, young MANI" he
said. Quizzingly he added: you
look very pleased with y%ourself!"
This is the first opportunity I've had
to thank you for your Kindness" said
Howard, cordially.
You a thank your wife, my boy
not mel" Changing the topic. he said:
so you're going abroad, eh?"
YES, did Annie tell you? It's only
for a few I,onths."
The lawyer frowned. Tapping the
floor impatiently with his cane, he
said:
why are you going away?"
Taken aback at the question, How.
ard stammered:
"Because-because-"
Because | want him to co." inter
rupted Annie quickly.
The lawyer shook his head, and look
ing steadily at Howard, he said
sternly:
I'll tell you, Howard, my boy.
You're going to escape from the scan.
dalmongers and the gossiping busy
bodies. Forgive me for speaking plain.
ly, but you're going away because your
wife's conduct is a topic of converse.
ton among your friends"
Howard interrupted him.
You're mistaken. judge; 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, ana raised her hand
d~eprecatingly. 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 a weapon with which to
strike at your wife!"
Howard was silent. The lawyers
words had struck home. Slowly he
said:
Il never thought of that. You're
right! l wanted to get away from 1t
all. Father offered me the chance and
Annie told me to go"
Annie turned 10 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,
s~hamefacedly. Il never should have
consented to go; l was wrong"
Judge Brewster advanced and pat.
ted him kindly on the back.
Good boy!" he said. "Now, Mrs.
Jeffries. I'll tell your husband the
truth"
mol" she cried.
Then III 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
a woman for this world. She has not
hesitated to sacrifice her good name,
her happiness, to shield another won.
an. And that woman-the who
called at Underwood's room that night
was Mrs. Jeffries, your stepmother!"
Howard stared back in amazement.
tits true, then, l did recognize her
voice!" 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 father! Oh, hat was
noble of you'll" In a low tone he whis-
pered: Don't SEND me away from
you, Annie! Let me stay and prove
that I'm worthy of you'll"
To the young wife it all seemed like
a dream, almost too good to be real.
The dark, troubled days were ended.
A long life, bright with its promise OF
happiness, was before them.
But what of the future, Howard?"
she demanded, gently.
Judge Brewster answered the ques-
| ton.
1--WE thought of that" he said.
Howard, will you come into my Office
and study law? You can show your ia
Their what you can do with a good wife
to second your efforts"
Howard grasped his outstretched
hand.