The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-15

attitude suggested lhal she expected
something nnpleasant and vas fuill
IIpfeparad f6t q At last Alicia broke
fhe silence
Eph may think 1 strange that
have asked Tor this Interview, she
began, sbdt yop know, Annie In
teFrupting herself she asked: you
don't mind my calling you Annie, Dc
Jour
The young woman smiled.
~ don't see why should. It's my
name and we're relatives-by mar
rage" There was an ironical rims
in her voice as she went on: "Rela
tiyes! It seems funny, doesn't Il, but
we don't pick and choose our rep
tives. We must take them as they
come"
Alicia made an effort to appear con
ciliatory.
"As we are-what we are-lets 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. Jefries. When called to see
you the other day, to beg you TO use
your Influence with Mr., Jeffries, mot
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"
Il knew nothing OF this-be1ieye
me-" murmured Alicia apologetically
Its what got iust the same" said
the other dryiy. Quickly she went on:
but I'm not complaining, understand
I'm not complaining. ONLY | did
think that at such a time one woman
might have held out a helping hand
to another"
Alicia held up her hand protest
ingly.
How could T." she exclaimed
Now, be reasonable. You are held
responsible for Towards present po
sition"
"Yes-By the police" retorted An
ME grimly, "and by couple Of yellow
journals didn't think you'd believe
all 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 meant" she exclaimed
haughtily. What was said about
me-"
We'll, It has been said that you
married old Jeffries for his money
and his social position"
"'Old Ietfries!'" protested Alicia
Indignantly. "Have you no respect
for your husbands father?"
Not n particle" answered the 9th
err coolly, and / never will have till
he acts like a father. | only had one
interview with him and It finished
him with me for all time. He amt a
father-he's fish"
"A fish," exclaimed Alicia, scandal
ICED at such lese majsste.
Annie went on recklessly:
"Yes-a cold. blooded-"
But surely" interrupted Alicia,
"you respect his position-his-"
mo, MN; ] respect man because
he behaves like a man, not because
he lives In a marble palace on River
side drive" 20;
: Alicia looked pained, This girl
was certainly impossible.
But surely" she said, you real
lied that when you married howard
you-you made a mistake-to say the
least?"
Yes, that part of it has been made
pretty plain. 1t was mistake-his
mistakenly mistake. But now it's
done and 1t can't be undone. ! don't
see why sou can't take II as 1t is and
and" d''
She stopped short and Alicia COM
pieted the sentence for her:
and welcome you into our fam
lily"
Welcome me? No, ma'am. I'M
not welcome and nothing you or your
set could say would ever make me be-
lieve that was welcome, All | ask
is that IIoward's father do his duty by
his son"
81 do not think-pardon my saying
so" interrupted Alicia stifiy, that
you are quite in position to Judge
OF what constitutes Mr.. jeffries' duty
to his son."
''Perhaps not. I 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 out Of the win
dow. Her face still ayerted she said:
What is there to do? Howard has
acknowledged his guilt What sac
fees we may make will be thrown
away"
Annie eyed her companion with con-
tempt Her voice quiVerlng with in.
dignation, she burst out:
What is there to do! Try and save
him. Of course. Must we sit and do
nothing because things look black?
All! I wasn't brought up that way,
No. ma'am, I'm going to make a
fight"
"It's useless" murmured Alicia,