The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-22
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And ywhatgs she demanded, draw.
ing herself up. She suspected what
was coming, and neryed herself to
meet It.
Now. don't regard me as an enemy,
said the doctor in a conciliatory
tone. "Mr. Jeffrfes inquired after his
son. Believe me, he's very anxious.
He knows he did the boy great In
justice. and he wants TO make up
for It."
ooh, he does?" she exclaimed, sar.
castically.
Dr.Bernstein hesitated for a moment
before replying Then he said. lightly;
Suppose Howard goes abroad for a
few months with his father and
mother"
Els that the propositions" she de-
handed.
The doctor nodded.
II believe MIR. Jeftries has already
spoken about it to his son." he said.
Annie clicked back a sob and. cross.
ing the room to conceal her emotion,
stood with her back turned. looking
out Of the window. Her voice was
trembling as she said
"He wants to separate us, know.
He'd give half his fortune to do It.
Perhaps he's not altogether wrong.
Things DO look pretty black for me.
don't they? Everybody believes that
my going to see Underwood that night
had something to do With his suicide
and led 10 my husband being falsely
accused. The police built up fine ro-
nance about Mr.. Underwood and me
and tie newspapers! Every other
day a reporter comes and asks us
when the divorce is going to take
place-and who is going to institute
the proceedings. Howard or me. II
everybody would only mind their own
business and let US alone he might
forget. Oh, don't mean you. doctor
You're my friend You made short
work OF Capt Clinton and his Comics.
sion / mean people-outsiders-
strangers-who don't know us, and
don't care whether we're alive or dead;
those are the people mean. They
buy a one.cent paper and they think
It gives them the right to pry into
every detail of our lives" She paused
for "a moment, and then went on: so
you think Howard Is worrying? I
think. 80, too. At first thought It
was because Of the letter Mr.. Under.
wood wrote me, hut guess it's what
you say. His old friends won't have
anything to do with him and-he's
lonely Well, I'll talk It over with
him"
"Yes-talk It over with him."
did you promise his father you'd
ask me?" she demanded.
'No-not Exactly he replied. hest
tatingls.' =
Anhie looked at him frankly.
"Howard's a pretty good fellow to
stand by me in the face Of all that's
being said about my character. isn't
he, doctor? And I'm not going to
stand in his light, even II 1t doesn't
exactly make me the happiest woman
in the world, but don't let 1t trickle
into your mind that I'm doing It for
his fathers sake"
At that moment Howard entered
from the inner room. He was SIR
prised to see DR.. Bernstein.
How do you feel today" asked the
doctor.
First rate! oh, I'm all right. You
see, I'm just going to eat bite. Won't
you join u.s." g,
He sat down at the table and picked
up the newspaper. while Annie busted
herself with carrying in the dishes,
NO, thank you" laughed the doctor.
tits too early for me. I've only just
had breakfast dropped In to see
how you we're" Taking up his bag,
he said: "Good-by. Don't get up. [
can let myself OUT
But Annie had already opened the
door for him, and smiled a farewell,
When she returned to her seat at the
head Of the table, and began TO pour
out the coffee, Howard said:
Hes pretty decent fellow, isn't
'he?"
Yes" she replied. abscntmindedly,
rs she passed a cup Of coffee.
"Ie made a monkey Of Capt. Clln-
ton all right" went on Howard. What
did he come for"
ITO see you-ot course" she re-
piled.
"Oh. I'm all right now" he replied.
Looking anxiously at his wife across
the table, he said; You're the one
that needs tuning up. heard you
crying last night. You thought ! was
asleep, but wasn't. didn't say any
thing because-weIl--I felt kind OF
blue myself"
Annie sighed and leaned her head
ON her hand. YEARLY she said:
"I was thiDking over all that we've
been through together, and what
they're saying about US"
Howard threw down his newspaper
impatiently
Let them say what they like. Why
shou]d we care as long as we're