Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Tat banker turned on bit wife. Sternly he eeid: "Alicia, I cannot permit you to in? terfere. That young man is a self confessed murderer and therefore no son ef mine. I've dene with him long ago. I cannot be moved by maudlin fctuiinieatality. Please let that be final." Turning to the lawyer, he ?aid, coldly: "So, in the matter of this stage business, you can take no steps to re atraln herr The lawyer shook his head. "No, thsre is aothlng I can do." Quickly hs added: "Of course, you doL i doubt ny loyalty to you?" Mr. Jeffries shook his head. "No, bo, Brewster." The lawyer laughed as he said: "Right or wrong, you know?'my country*?that Is, xuy client?' 'tis of thee. " Turning to Alicia, he added, laughingly: "That's the painful part of a lawyer'** profession. Mrs. Jeffries. The client's weakness is the lawyer's strength. When men hate each other and rob each other we lawyers don't pacify them We dare not, because that is our profession. We encour? age them. We pit them against each other for p/o?L If we didn't they'd go to some lawyer who would." Alicia gave a feeble smile. "Yes,* she replied; "I'm afraid we all love to ue advised to do what we want to do.' Mr. Jeffries made an impatient ges? ture of dissent. Scofflngly he re? marked : "That may apply to the great gen? erality of people, but not to me." ewster looked skeptical, hut o further comment. The ba:il and Alicia followed suit As h*? ? BO! ed toward the door, he Bd said: uivp in and see me this evening, Brew3ier. Mrs. Jeffries will be de? lighted if you will dine with us." Alicia smiled graciously. "Do come, judg*; we shall be all alone." The lawyer bent low over her hand as he said good by. Mr. Jeffries had already reached the door, when he 'turned again and said: "Are you sure a very liberal offer wouldn't induce her to drop the name?" The lawyer shook his head doubt ?fully. "Well, see what you can do," cried -the banker. To his wife he said: **Are you coming, Alicia?" "Just a moment, dear," she replied. "1 want to say a word to the Judge." "All right," replied the banker. "I'll be outside." He opened the door, and as he did so he turned to the lawyer: "If there are any new developments let me know at once." He left the office and Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. She did not love her husband, but she feared him. He was no' 20 years fee senior, but vis cold, aristocratic manner intimi ?da.ed her. H*r first Impulse had been to U*l him everything, but she dare His manner discouraged her. He *uuiu oegln to ask questions, ques? tions which she could not answer without seriously Incriminating her? self But her conscience would not allow her to stand entirely aloof from the tragedy in which her husband's ocapegrace son was Involved. She felt a strange, unaccountable desire to meet this girl Howard had married. In a quick undertone to the lawyer, ahe said: "I must see that woman, Judge. 1 think I can persuade her to change her course of action. In any case I must see her, I must?" Looking at him questioningly. she said: "You don't think It Inadvisable, do you?" The judge smiled rrlmly. "T e her first," he ?me back a lit I b 1 l probable that ?he 'ternoon. Ill an interview." .as a niiocK at the door, and Alicia started guiltily, thinking her husband might have overheard their conversation The head clerk entered and whispered something to the Judge, after which he retired. The lawyer turned to Alicia with a smile. "It's Just as I thought," he said, p!easantly. "she's out there now. You'd better go and leave her to me." The door opened again unceremon? iously, and Mr. Jeffries put in his head: "Aren't you coming. Alicia?" he de? manded. Impatiently. In a lower mice to the lawyer, he adde-d: "Say, ?prewster. that woman is outside in ?your office. Now is your opportunity to come to some arrangement with her." Again Mrs. Jeffries held out her hand. "Good by, Judge; you're so kind! It needs a lot of patience to be a lawyer, doesn't it?" Judge Brewster laughed, and added In an undertone: "Come back by and by." The door closed, and the lawyer went hick to his desk. For a few mo? ments he sat still plunged in deep thought. Suddenly, he touched a bell. The head clerk entered. "Show Mrs. Howard Jeffries. Jr.. in." The e'erk looked surprised. Strict orders hitherto had been to show the unwelcome visitor out. He believed that he had not heard aright "Did you say Mrs. Jeffries, Jr., Judge?" "I said Mrs Jeffries, Jr.," replied tbo lawyer, grimly. "Very well. Judge," said the clerk, as he left the room. Presently there was a timid knock at the door "Come in!" called out the lawyer. CHAPTER XV. Annie entered the presence of the famous l?wyer pale end ill at ease. This iffddea summons to Judge Brewster's private office was bo unex? pected that it came like a shock. Per days she bad haunted the premises, Avowed candiadtes for county of sitting tn the outer office for hours At s time exposed to tho stare and corert smiles of thoughtless clerks sad office boys. Her requests for an Interview had been met with eurt re? fusals. They either said the judge waa out of town or else that he was too busy to be seen. At last, evi? dently acting upon orders, they flat? ly refused to even aend in her name, and she had about abandoned hope when, all at oaee, a clerk approached her, and addressing her more politely than usual, said that the judge would see her in a few minutes. Her heart gars a great throb. Al? most speechless from surprise, aha stammered a faint thanks and braced herself for the interview on which so much depended. For the flrnt time since the terrible affair had happened, there was a faint glimmer of hope ahead. If eely she could rush ever to the Tombs and tell Howard the Joyful news so he might keep lap cour? age! It was eiglU days now since Howard's arrest, and Che trial would take place rn six weeks. There was still time to prepare a strong defense if the Judge would only conaent to take the case. She was more sure than ever that a clever lawyer would have no difficulty in convincing a Jury that Howards alleged "confession" was untrue and improperly obtained. In the intervals of waiting to see the lawyer, she had consulted every one she knew, and among others she had talked with Dr. Bernstein, the noted psychologist, whom she had seen once at Yale. He received her kindly and listened attentively to her story- When she had finished he had evinced the greatest interest. He told \er that he happened to be the physician called in on the night of the tragedy, and at that time he had grave doubts as to it being a case of murder. He believed it was suicide, and he had told Capt. Clinton so, but the police captain had made up his mind, and that was the end of it. Howard's "confession," he went on, really meant nothing. If called to the stand he could show the jury that a hypnotic subject can be made to "confess" to anything. In the inter? est of truth, justice, and science, he said, he would gladly come to her aid. All this she would tell Judge Brew? ster. It would be of great help to him, no doubt. Suddenly, a cold shiver ran through her. How did she know he would take the case? Per? haps this summons to his office was only to tell her once more that he would have nothing to do with her and her husband. She wondered why he had decided so suddenly to see her and, like a flash, an idea came to her. She had seen Mr. Jeffries, Sr., enter the inner sanctum and, in? stinctively, she felt that ehe had something to do with his visit. The banker had come out accompanied by a richly-dressed woman whom she guessed to be his wife. She looked with much Interest at Howard's stepmother. She had heard so much about her that it seemed to her that she knew her personally. As Alicia swept proudly by, the eyes of the two women met, md Annie was surprised to see in the banker's wife's face, Instead of the cold, haughty stare she expected, a wistful, longing look, as if she would like to stop and talk with her, but dare not. In an? other instant she was gone, and, obey? ing a clerk, who beckoned her to fol? low him, she entered Judge Brew ster's office. The lawyer looked up as she came in, but did not move from his seat. Gruffly he said: "How long do you intend to keep up this system of?warfare? How "It s Your Duty to Do It." long are you going to continue for? cing your way into this office?" "I didn't force my way in," she said, quietly. "I didn't expect to come in. The clerk said you wanted to see me." The lawyer frowned and scrutinized her closely. After a pause, he said: "I want to Ml you for the fiftieth time I can do nothing for you." "Fifty?" she echoed. "Fifty did yo'i say? Really, it doesn't seem that much." Judge Brewster looked at her quick? ly to Hee If she was lauthing at him. Almost peevishly, he said: "For the last time, I repeat I can do nothing for you." "Not the last time. Judg? ," she re? plied, shaking her head. "I shall come again to-morrow." The lawyer swung around in hit chair with indignation. "You win?r Annie nodded "Yes. sir," she said, quietly "You're determined to force your way In here?" exclaimed the lawyer. "Yes. sir." The Judge banged the desk with his flRt. "But I won't allow it! I have <r:ie thing to say. you know! I can | per mit this to go on I repn , at my flcea are becoming more n< live and client, Mr. Howard Jeffries, Sr., and he won't consent to my taking up your husband's case." There was a shade of sarcasm In Annnle's roles as she asked calmly: "Can't you do it without his con? sent?" The lawyer lookod at her grimly. "I can," he blurted out, "but?I won't." Her eyes flashed as she replied quickly. "Well, you ought to?" The lawyer locked up In amaze? ment. ?"hat do you mean?" he demanded. "It's your duty to do it," sha said, quietly. "Your duty to his sou, to mt, and to Mr. Jeffries himsolf. Why, he'i so eaten up with his family prido aud false principles that he can't see the difference between right and wrong. You're his lawyer. It's your duty to put him right. It's downright wicked of you to refuses?you're hurting bins. Why, when I was hunting around for a lawyer one of them actutiiiy re? fused to take up the case because he said old Brewster must thick How? ard was guilty or he'd have taken it up himself. You and his father are putting the whole world against him, and you know it." . The Judge was staggered. No one In his recollection had ever dared to speak to him like that. He was so astonished that he forgot to resent it, and he hid his confusion by taking out his handkerchief and mopping his forehead. "I do know it?" he admitted. "Then why do you do it?" she snapped. The lawyer hesitated, and then he said: "I?that's not the question." Annie leaped quickly forward, and 3he replied: "It's my question?and as you say, I've asked it 50 times." The lawyer sat back in his chair and looked at her for a moment with? out speaking. He surveyed her crit? ically from head to foot, and then, as if satisfied with his examination, said: "You're going on the stage?" She nodded. "I've had a very big offer." The Judge leaned forward, and in a low voice, so that no one in the outer office might hear, he said: "Well, I'll give you twice as much If you refuse the engagement." She laughed ironically. "You mean that my father-in-law will give it." she said, lightly. Then she went on: "You know it's no use your asking me to concede* anything unless you agree to defend Howard." The lawyer shook his head. "I oan't?it's impossible." "Then neither can I," she exclaimed, defiantly. Judge Brewster could not refrain from smiling. This young woman had actually enveigled him into an argument. Almost mockingly, he said: "So you're determined to have me." "Yes," she said, simply. "But I don't argue criminal cases." "That's Just It," she exclaimed, eagerly; "my husband Is not a crim? inal. He is innocent. I don't want a lawyer who is always defending crim? inals. I want one who defends a man because he isn't a criminal." Judge Brewster waved his hand con? temptuously. "Go and see some other lawyer? there are plenty of 'em." She leaned eagerly forward. Her face was flushed from exritement, her eyes flashed. "There's only one Judge Brewster," she exclaimed. "He's the greatest lawyer In the world, and he's going to help us. He is going to save How? ard's life." The Judge shifted uneasily on his chair. He didn't like this forceful, persistent young woman. Almost fretfully, he said: "You always say that. Upon my word. I shall begin to believe it soon.", "I shall say it again," she exclaimed, "and Pgaln every time I Ree you." Th^ lawyer turned round. There was a comic look of despair in his face which would have amused his visitor had her errand not been so serious. "How often do you intend that shall be?" "Every day." she replied, calmly. "1 shall say It and think it until?until it comes true." Judge Brewster tried to feel angry, although inwardly he had hard work to keep from smiling. With pretend ed indignation, he said: "You mean that you intend to keep at me until I give way?through sheer exhaustion?" She nodded. That's it exactly," ah?> said. The lawyer gasped. "Well, I must say you?you?you're very brave." Annie shook her head. "No, I'm not." she ,:aid. earnestly. "I'm an awful coward, but I'm fight? ing for him. Howard JeffrleR lifted me tip when I was way down in the world. He gave me his name. He gave me all he had. to make me a better woman, and I'm grateful. Why, even a d ?g has gratitude, even a dog will lick tin hand that feeds him. Why should I hesitate to express my gratitude" That's all I'm doing Just naytng bin back a bit of the debt I owe him, and I'm going to mow Heaven and earth to bring his rather around to my way of thinking I've got you already?" The |udge bounded to his feet. Could his < ars have heard aright*' "Got me already0" he exclaimed. ' What do you lit* nn by ?hat*'" Annie returned Ins angry look with the utmost calm. She was playing her cuds well, and ?be knew it S 1 had hit the old man in a sensit I place Quietly. ih< went on "You'd say 'yes' In a miuute ii !t wasu't for Mr JuffiUs." there i. tal ? ol the rtnitounc tment of "Oh. you think bo, do your ne gasped. "I'm sure of It," she replied, confi? dently. Boldly she went on: "You're afraid of him." Judge Brewster laughed heartily. "Afraid of him?" he echoed. "It isn't so funny," she went on. "You're afraid of opposing him. I'm not surprised. I'm afraid of him my? self." The lawyer looked at her in an amused kind of v.a/. "Then why do y?<i oppose him in everything?" he d* uanded. Annie laughed ai *he replied: "That's the only ?ray 1 can get his attention. Why, wun he met me out there to-day he act rtliy looked at me. For the fl:*i time ui his lite he rec? ognized thai he Diu a daughter-in-law. He looked at me- and I'm not sure, but I think he wa.. ted to bow to me. He's kind of begwing to sit up and take notice." Judge Brewster frowned. He did not like the insinuation that he was afraid to do the right thing because It might interfere with his emolu? ments. Yet, secretly, he had to ad? mit to himself that she had almost guessed right. Now he came to think of it, he had taken thin stand in the matte: because he knew that any other course would displease his wealthy client. After all, was he dc !ng light? Was he acting in conform? ance with his professional oath? Was he not letting his material interests .nlerfere with his duty? He was si ent for several minutes, and then, in an absent-minded kind of way, he turned to his visitor. "So you think I'm afraid of him, do you?" "I'm sure of it/' she said, quickly. You liked my husband, and you'd just love to rush in and fight for him. His father thinks he is guilty and, ..til?you don't like to disobey him. It's very natural. He's an influential man, a personal friend of the presi? dent and all that. You know on which side your bread is buttered, and?oh, it's very natural?you're looking out for your own interests?" Judge Brewster interrupted her im? patiently. "Circumstances are against How? ard. His father judges him guilty rrom his own confession. It's the con? clusion I'm compelled to come to my? self. Now, how do you propose to change that conclusion?" "You don't have to change it," she said, quietly. "You don't believe Howard guilty." "I don't?" exclaimed the lawyer. "No, at the bottom of your heart. You knew Howard when he was a boy, and you know he is as incapable of that crime as you are." Judge Brewster lapsed into silence, and there followed a perfect quiet, broken only by the suppressed chatter of the clerks and clicking of the type? writers in the outer office. Annie watched him closely, wondering what was passing in his mind, fearing in her heart that she might have preju? diced him against her husband only the more. Suddenly he turned on her. "Mrs. Jeffries, how do you know that your husband did not kill Robert Underwood?" "I know It," she said, confidently. "Yes," persisted the judge, "but how do you know it?" Annie looked steadily at him, and then che said solemnly: "I know there's a God, but I can't tell you how I know it, that's all! Howard didn't do it. I know he didn't." The lawyer smiled. "That's a very fair sample of fem? inine logic." "Well, it's all I have," s! p retored, with a toss of her head. " Ind it's a mighty comfort, too, bee:.,ise when you know a thing you know it and it makes you happy." Judge Brewster laughed c it. -'\t. 'Feminine deduction!" he < ? ied. "Think a thing, believe it, and hen you know it!" Looking up at her, he asked: "Haven't you any relatives to whom you can go?" She shook her head. "No," she said, sadly. "My father died in?Sing Sing?and the n Bt are not worth?" "Yes, yes. 1 know," repl.ed the judge, hastily. "I got your family his? tory from Mr. Jeffries alter your mar? riage. It is filed away among the family archives." She smiled sadly. "It's a wunder you don't burn 'em up?my folks were not a very bril? liant lot." Earnestly she went on: "But my father was all right, judge. Blood was thicker than water with I him. He'd never have gone back on ' me In the w ay Howard's tatlc r has on him." The lawyer looked at her fixedly without speaking Their eyes mot, and tn*? silence continued until it be (ame embarrassing. .Indue Brewster shook his head. "It's too bad I'm sorry for you, really. I?" Annie laughed, and he asked: "Why do you laught" "What's the use of crying?" she s;iid. "Iis! Ha' It's slmosl a joke. You're sorry, my father-in law is sor? ry, and I suppose my mother-ln-laa is shedding tears for me, too You're all sorry and you're all wearing crape for US, but why can't some of you do something?" i ll.' lawyer said nothing. He still trued ;if her in a strange, absent minded kind of way. until finally she lost i atb nee Boldly she said ? Well, yon - lit for nie What do yo-i want to e me about. Judge?" j "I went to tell you that you mustn't h r * again," he anaa ered. 'Anything else?" she exclaimed. The Judg began to fuss with the spers on his desk, ;is he usually did when embarrassed for e^erds, others. When your money is idle you are cheating yourself of what rightfully belongs to you by the interest the money will earn. THE PEOPLES' BANK Little Banks. If you feel anyways timid about bringing small sums of money to the bank, we can loan you a little safe. This safe may be kept at home where you can drop in small amounts from time to time. When you have accumulated a goodly sum you can bring all to che bank. Call at the bank and inquire about the matter. SAVINGS DEPARTMENT THE BANK OF SUMTER. SUMTER, S. C. We approve of the Rock Hill plan. Use LESS fer? tilizers. Plant less cot? ton and get MORE mon? ey for it. The Farmers' Bank and Tru^l Co. Undertakers and Embalmers, and Private Ambulance HEARSES FOR WHITE AND COLORED Ring 14 or 251? Day or Night Prompt Service J. D. Craig Furniture Company 8, 10, 12 West Liberty Street. LIME, CEMENT, jg|Uff??i T-Toir rVoir? Rice Flour. Ship.Stuff, Bran, iiay, VJTdlll, Mixed Cow and Chicken K<>ed. Horses. Mules. giSii*'' If?tf -f, No Order Too I Ante Or Too Small. Booth-Harby Live Stock Co. SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA. 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