The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-07

LAY between her husbands family and
hdfselt. This wase world she had
never Elpwp-sat world OF opplencTe
and luxury. She did not know how she
had summoned up courage enough to
come. Yet there was no time to be
I6St: Immediate action was neces-
saeg. Howard must have. the best
lawyers that money could procure.
Judge Brewster had been deaf to, her
eHtreatles He had, declined. 10 take
the case, She had no money. How.
ards father must come to his assist
aiiess4 She would plead With, him and
ilsist tliati II was his duty to; stand
hy bis son. She wondered. how he
would. receive her Is he. would put
her out or be rude to her. He might
tell tie servants to shut the door In
her face. =flmldly she rang, the bell
The butler opened the door, and sum
uIonlns, up all. lier courage, she asked:
t,t''ls Nr. Jefiries in?'
To her utter amaEement. the. butler
|. offered no objection to her entering
Mistaking her for woman reporter
several Of whom had already called
7 that morning, he said:
/ st"GOhEight,.in the library, madam
the other newspaper folk are. thOre.'
She passed through the splendid re-
ceptIpn hall, maryelIng inwardly al
the beautiful statuary and pictures
no little intimidated at finding her
self amid such splendid surroundings
l On the left there was a-door draped
with handsome tapestry.
Right In there MISS" said the
butleE, ~ So ~
She vent. in; and found herself In q
: ROOM 9f. noble proportions, the walls
Of which were lined with bookshelyes
/ filled With. tones in rich, bindings. The
light that entered through the stained,
glass windows cast a subdued half.
light, warm and rich In color, on the
crimson, plush furnishings. Near the
: heavy fat desk in the center OF the
room u tall. distinguished man was
standing listening: deprecatingly to
the half dozen reporters who were
bombardlng him with questions. As
Annie entered. the room. she. caught
tho words of his reply:
'srhe young. man, who has inherited
my name has chosenhis own, path.ln
life. lam grieVed to say that his con.
duct at college, his marriage, has
completely separated him from his
family, and | have quite made up my
mind that in no way or manner can
his family become identified with any
steps he may take to escape the pen.
atty of his mad act. am his father,
aud ! suppose, under tho circum'
stances, ought to say something But
have decided not to- don't wish
to give the American public any eS,
cuse to think that an pallfating or
coEdonlng his crime Gentlemen, |
wish you good.day."
Annie. who, had been listening III.
tently,, at once saw her opportunity,
MIR. JeFries, had taken no notice Of
her presence, believing her to be u
newspaper writer like the others. As
the reporters. took their departure
and filed ont OF the room, she re,
manned behind. AS the last one disap
peared she turned to the banker and
said:
MAY speak to you q moment?"
He turned quickly and looked Ut liE
In surprise. For the first time he
was conscious Of her presence. bow,
ing, courteousIy. he shook his head:
Il am afraid can do nothing for
you madam-as I've Just explained to
your confreres of the press
Annie looked up at him. and said
boldly; !.
Il am not a reporter, Mr.. Jeffries. |
am your sons wife"
The banker started back In amaze.
ment. This woman, whom, he had
taken for newspaper reporter, was
an interloper, an 'imposter, the very
Inst woman in the world whom no
would have permitted to be admitted
to his house. He considered that she,
as, much as anybody else, had con
tributed to Alis sons ruin. Yet what
could he do? She was there, and he
was too much OF a gentleman. to have
her turned out bodily. Wondering at
his silence, she repeated softly:
I'm your sons wife, Mr.. Jetfries, "
The banker looked at her mo.
ment, as Il taking her III from head to
foot. Then, he said cUldly:
Madam, l have no son." He hest
tated, and added: tn .
Il don't recognize"
Sire looked at him pleadlngly.
"Butsl want to speak to yoq, SIR"
Mr.. Jetfries shook his head, and
moved toward the DOOM 70
81 repeat, have nothing to say
Annie planted. herself directly. in his
path. He could not reach the door
unless he removed her foreibly.
mr.. Jetfries:" she said earnestly,
"please don't refuse to hear me-
please" ~ r. ~
He halted. looking as II he would
like to escape, but there was, no way
of egress. This notwithstanding
young woman had him at a disad'
vantage.
81 do not think" He said iclly, that
there is,any subject which can be Of