The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-11

lFli6ne Ianhen neTh6lIt luul6haASAJ
while the lawyer raped his desk ab
sentmindedH with . paper cutter
Alicia went on:
b you know l have never met the
woman. What is she like: under
stand she's been bothering you t.
take the case OF that worthless hus
hand Of hers. Do you know she had
the tmpertInence to come to our housee
and ask Mr. JeffrIes to help them?
asked my husband to describe her
but all could get from him was thai
she was Impairment and impossible.
She hesltated a moment, then she
added: rs she as pretty as her pic
lures in the paper? You've seen her
Of course?"
Judge Brewster frowned.
Yes" ne replied. "She comes. here
every day regularly, She literally
compels me to see her and refuses te
go till I've told her haven't changed
my decision about taking her case"
What insolence!p exclaimed Alicia
II should think that you would have
her put out OF the Office
The lawyer was silent and toyed
somewhat nervously with the paper
cutter. as 4 not quite decided as tc
what response to make. He coughed
and fused with the papers on the
desk.
"Why don't you have her put out Of
the office?" she repeated,
The Judge looked UP. There was
an expression in his face that might
have been Interpreted as one of an
noyance, as Il he rather resented this
intrusion into his business affairs
but Mrs. Jettries, ST., was too i'm
portant client to quarrel with, sc
he merely sald:.
Frankly, Mrs. Jeffries, II it were
not for the fact that Mr. Jefries has
exacted from me promise not to
take up this case. should be tempted
to-conslder the matter. In the first
place, you know always liked How
ard. saw good deal Of him before
your marriage to Mr.. Jettries. He
was always a wild. unmanaSeable
boy, weak in character, but he had
many lovable traits. am very sorry
indeed, to see him in such terrible
position. It was hard for me to real
lie it and I should never have be.
lieyed him guilty had he not con
fessed to the crime."
yes" she 'assented. 1T is an, aw,
full thing and a terrible blow to his
father. OF course, he has had moth
ing to do with Howard for months
AS you know. he turned him out OF
doors long ago. but the disgrace is
none the less Overwhelming"
The lawyer looked out Of the win,
dow and drummed his fingers on the
arm Of his chair. Suddenly wheeling
round, and facing his client, he said:
"You know this girl he married is
no ordinary woman"
"oh!" she exclaimed, sarcastically.
"she has succeeded in arousing your
sympathy"
: The Judge bowed coldly.
NO" he. replied. 81 would hardly
say that. But she has aroused my
curiosity. She is a very peculiar girl,
evidently creature OF impulse and
determination. certainly feel sorry
for her. Her position is very pain
full one. She has been married only
a few months. and now her husband
has to face the most awful accusation
that can be brought against man.
She is plucky in spite of It all, and is
moving heaven and earth in Towards
defense. She believes herself to be in
some measure responsible for his mis-.
fortune. Apart from that, the case
interests me from purely profession.
al point Of view. There are several
strange features connected with the
case. Sometimes, in spite Of Towards
confession, don't believe he com
mitted that crime"
Alicia changed color and, shifting
uneaslIy on her chair, scrutinlzed the
lawyers face. What was behind that
calm, insCrutable mask? What theory
had he formed? One newspaper had
suggested suicide. She might herself
come forward and declare that Rob.
ert Underwood had threatened to
take his own life, but how could she
face the scandal which such course
would involve? She would have to
admit visiting Underwood's rooms at
midnight alone. That surely would
ruin her In the eyes not only Of her
husband. but of the whole world. II
this sacrifice of her good name we're
necessary to save an Innocent mans
life, perhaps she might summon up
enough courage to make It. But, after
all, she was by no means sure her.
self that Underwood had committed
suicide. Howard had confessed. so
why should she. jeopardlze her good
name uselessly?
NO" repeated the Judge, shaking
his head, there's something strange
in the whole affair. I don't believe
Howard had any hand in It,"
But ne confessed" exclaimed
AtISa' ,iE,