foolishly brought upon her own head. But she had not been able to resist
the temptation. Howard came into her life when the outlook was dreary
and hopeless. He had offered to her what seemed a haven against the
cruelty and selfishness of the world. Happiness for the first time in
her life seemed within reach and she had not the moral courage to say
"No."

If Annie had no education she was not without brains. She had sense
enough to realize that her bringing up or the lack of it was an
unsurmountable barrier to her ever being admitted to the inner circle of
Howard's family. If her husband's father had not married again the
breach might have been crossed in time, but his new wife was a prominent
member of the smart set, a woman full of aristocratic notions who
recoiled with horror at having anything to do with a girl guilty of the
enormity of earning her own living. Individual merit, inherent nobility
of character, amiability of disposition, and a personal reputation
untouched by scandal--all this went for nothing--because unaccompanied
by wealth or social position. Annie had neither wealth or position. She
had not even education. They considered her common, impossible. They
were even ready to lend an ear to certain ugly stories regarding her
past, none of which were true. After their marriage, Mr. Jeffries, Sr.,
and his wife absolutely refused to receive her or have any communication
with her whatsoever. As long, therefore, as Howard remained faithful to
her, the breach with his family could never be healed.

"Have some more stew, dear," she said, extending her hand for her
husband's plate.

Howard shook his head and threw down his knife and fork.

"I've had enough," he said despondently. "I haven't much appetite."

She looked at him with concern.

"Poor boy, you're tired out!"

As she noted how pale and dejected he appeared, her eyes filled with
sympathetic tears. She forgot the appalling number of cigarettes he
smoked a day, nor did she realize how abuse of alcohol had spoiled his
stomach for solid food.

"I wish I knew where to go and get that $2,000," muttered Howard, his
mind still preoccupied with Coxe's proposition. Lighting another
cigarette, he leaned back in his chair and lapsed into silence.

Annie sat and watched him, wishing she could suggest some way to solve
the problem that troubled him. She loved her husband with all her heart
and soul. His very weakness of character endeared him the more to h