world. She couldn't blame him. He loved her--she was sure
of that. But the call of his family and friends was too strong to
resist. Alternately laughing and crying hysterically, she picked up the
tray, and carrying it into the kitchen began washing the dishes.
Suddenly there was a ring at the bell. Hastily putting on a clean apron,
she opened the door. Judge Brewster stood smiling on the threshold.
Annie uttered a cry of pleasure. Greeting the old lawyer affectionately,
she invited him in. As he entered, he looked questioningly at her red
eyes, but made no remark.

"I'm delighted to see you, judge," she stammered.

As he took a seat in the little parlor, he said:

"Your husband passed me on the stairs and didn't know me."

"The passage is so dark!" she explained apologetically.

He looked at her for a moment without speaking, and for a moment there
was an awkward pause. Then he said:

"When does Howard leave you?"

Annie started in surprise.

"How do you know that?" she exclaimed.

"We lawyers know everything," he smiled. Gravely he went on: "His
father's attorneys have asked me for all the evidence I have. They want
to use it against you. The idea is that he shall go abroad with his
father, and that proceedings will be begun during his absence."

"Howard knows nothing about it," said Annie confidently.

"Are you sure?" demanded the lawyer skeptically.

"Quite sure," she answered positively.

"But he is going away?" persisted the judge.

"Yes, I want him to go--I am sending him away," she replied.

The lawyer was silent. He sat and looked at her as if trying to read her
thoughts. Then quietly he said:

"Do you know they intend to make Robert Underwood the ground for the
application for divorce, and to use your own perjured testimony as a
weapon against you? You see what a lie leads to. There's no end to it,
and you are compelled to go on lying to support the original lie, and
that's precisely what I won't permit."

Annie nodded acquiescence.

"I knew you were going to scold me," she smiled.

"Scold you?" he said kindly. "No--it's myself I'm scolding. You did what
you thought was right, and I allowed you to do what I knew was wrong."

"You made two miserable women happy," she said quietly.

The lawyer tried to suppress a smile.

"I try to excuse myself on that ground," he said, "but it won't work. I
violated my oath as a lawyer, my integrity as a man, my honor, my
self-respect, all upset, all g