Evening Star Newspaper, June 4, 1922, Page 66

THE SUNDAY STAR, ASHINGTON, D. ¢, JUNE 4 NE respondent was before the Wild Mountain district court that bland. summer morn- + Ing—and even one respond- efit' wias somewhat unusual after pro- hibitton Tad jammed down its heavy <humb on the sources of the supplies Mthat had been tapped by the woods- Ynen and the lumberjacks ©of the re- gion;, The respondent was Dicky Dfamond, a sawed-off, dumpy black- amoor, who owned fishiag camps at Frong pond. *Dicky, my boy, where did vou get £t7" inquired the judge’amiably. “Jedge Dave, yesterday I done come down to this yere town of Olamon to stock up on supplies, and I sampled #3 1 bought.” “Mostly what, Dicky *Flavoring extracts, Jedge!" “Stock all bought and approved— errands In tae village all cleaned w™ “Yassir, Jedge Dave™ “Well, then, get back to your camp and settle down to business.” Dicky ducked a salute and” hustled out and clattered down the stairs which_led up the outside of the build- ing to the judge's office. * x o % T was a combination of law office and couftroom. On one window was painted “David Winn, Lawyer.” on heralded “Dustin | the other was Peaslee. Insurance.” Mr. Peaslee had a corner of the room for his uses. The judge filled his pipe and surveyed the dissatisfied Mr. Peaslee with great tolerance. “I ought to have allowed you to preside this morning, Mr. Recorder. I'm afraid I'm too easy. *“You are! “But I mustn't interfere with Dicky n the fishing season. He's the best cook in the reglon. And I've got a hint from the governor that he's com- ing up here strictly incog and wants more of Dicky's waffles. In such a case as that we must let mercy tem- per justice in our court, Mr. Re- corder.’ “Dan’t call me that name—it makes me nervous. anything should happen to take you away when a matter was coming up in court here and I should be called on to preside™” “You'd have to preside.” “I'd gkip out of the country first.” Peaslee’'s tone was almost a wail He was weazened and bald and he had the unmistakable demeanor of a man who was constitutionally timid. “Well, now that the matter is men- tioned, T must advise you to stop writing ‘letters to the governor, re- signing the position. Your resigna- tion won't be accepted.” Recorder Peaslee, round-eyved. dis- played his resentful astonishment “Oh, when two men are alone in a boat, fishing. even a governor gets chatty,” said the judge demurely. thinks you're a very valuable man. He doesn't want to lose you He told me about the letters. They make him sad. “He's helping you in your -joke protested Peaslee. “He rammed the appointment onto me when I wasn't looking." “Well, Pease, old scout, the go ernor probably wants to be consist- ent. The folks all say that I'm more or less of a joke as a julige.” He put his feet on the table-and puffed his pipe and gazed out into the beauty of the summer day. The blue hills invited him, the rip- pled ponds that were cupped in the wooded hollows. But the sprawling village near at hand was not invit- ing. The houses were slackly kept up. The everlasting squall of the maws of the Davenport mills seemed to keep the nerves of the dwellers in the place sharp-edged. David Winn, from the nature of his profession, was well informed regarding the quarrels and jealousies, grudges and meannesses of the village of Olamon. Another sort of lawyer would have profited largely from such condi- titons. But he tried to Induce all to settle their quarrels by mutual agreement, and if they did settle in his presence he always threw off counsel fees, telling the litigants they deserved that reward of merit. * K k¥ ERE and there around the office were stuck cards lettered with his own hand. It was his habit to stare steadily at an especially sug- gestive motto while a client talked; after a time the client's eves would follow the judge's gaze. These were some of the mottoes: “You May Pay for Law, but Justice Is Free in this Shop.” “Neighbors, Get Together." o Charge for Common Sense’ *“Common Sense Sav Court Costs.” “Don’t Argue—Agree.” He had a slow and soothing delib- erateness of speech, his brown eves had a twinkle in them, and he had a boyish. ingenuous countenance to £o with his erect fizure. Tt was only on the occasions when he became deeply serfous that an observer took note of the touches of gray at Winn's tem- ple: “Yes. you're a joker all right enough.” commented Peaslee after a ‘few moments' sllence. “You even Practice law for the fun of it!" The lawyer replied by a smile which provoked more rebuke. “I'm going to tell Jack Starr that he'd better go baek to his job with the timber company; there's a chance for him to rise if he keeps on there. But his studying law in this office, Dave, with the example you're setting him, will never get him anywhere. And the boy is growing nervous and anxious and discouraged, 1 can see that." “And I can see that he isn't doing such studying lately. Keep your tongue off him, Pease! I love the boy. There's good stuff in him. What have you been saying to him, Mr. Recorder?” Peaslee twisted his mouth, resent- ing the title. I haven't started on him- yet. No chance the last few days. He's busy. He hints to me that he's In a way to haul in a big ‘bunch of money. “I wonder why he hasn’t hinted as much to me. I'm his best friend.” “Probably knows you well enough to believe that youwll block any deal where there's a chance to make money,” suggested Peaslee sourly. “You're not at all pleasant to be thrown among today, Pease” de- clared the judge, picking his hat up from the table. ~ At the door he turn- ed. “Fires and fights, Pease! Let's insure against ’em, each In his own “way.” The judge strolled along the street, with 3 quip for everybody he met. He passed the Davenport mill :Sturgis Davenport, sitting at .his ‘desk near a window in the brick soffice, flung up his hand in cordial salute, “I'm wondering—wondering,” ‘mut- . tered the judge, slowing his pace as ter &he My Gawd, Dave, what if | office. “No, I reckcn I'll size up how the matter stands with Lora." Along the siow river which -was checked by the.Davenport dam . he walked under the arched elms until he came to the Davenport-mansion, a big, square house in the midst of a shaded lawn, the only beauty spot in the ugly village. * ok kX U NDER the shelter of an .arbor a girl sat in a hammock chair, busy with ~embroidery. A young man lounged in another chair near'her. The girl was pretty. Her companion was smartly garbed according to city fashions. The judge did not respect whaf ap- peared to be a tete-a-tete affair. He marched across the lawn, swinging off his hat and waving it in cheery greeting when the girl looked up trom her work. He bestowed on the young man a mere brush of a side glance and a “Hello, Blaisdell!” After a time Blaisdell made an ex- cuse of business and went away. The judge had been monopolizing the girl while the young man scowled and fidgeted. “Phew!" sighed Winn when the young man was out of earshot. “I've wasted more breath than I would use ordinarily in arguing a case in court. But I reckoned I could drive him away if I kept it up long enough,” he confessed frankly. “What? You dare to own up to me that you purposely and cruelly drove away my very nice beau who tells me such wonderful stories about the i she demanded. She Kept her eves on her work, and he did not un- derstand whether her tone of indig- nation was mock or real. “That's what!" he returned placidly. “I looked out of my window and saw him coming this way. I made up my mind all of a sudden. Since he came to town I have been wor- ried, but I have been allowing mat- ters to run along, hoping they'd Now, keep your down on your work, 1f you look at me can’t go on. When I was thirty ou were only fifteen, and I couldn’t say anything then because I was twice as old as you. But now you're twenty and I'm only thirty-five—I'd have to be forty to be twice as old now.” “And when I'm thirty I'll be two- thirds as old as you,” she suggested demurely—"and so on! “Yes, and so on!" he agreed whim- sically. “But I find I can't wait till you catch up with me, at that rate. The thing was working along all right, but that fellow from the city has thrown & monkey wrench into the gears. “Lora,” he went on desperately, breaking from his self-repression, “I'm a slow-moving old fool, I know. But you have seen in my eyes how 1 have loved you right aiong. I can't keep it back any longer. Today I !decided that I'd come out like a man. I'd feel pretty mean if I should walit till some other fellow had dodged In janead of men and then have you say I ought to have spoken earlier! Oh, swing around right. eyes straight just as they are! 1 “Jack,” he sald manfully, when the young man stood face to face with him, “it's a case I didn't win—and no good lawyer ~holds a grudge against the other attorney when it has been a fair stand-up, man-to- man. You have won your verdict in the lower court.”” He smiled and in- dicated the girl with a side cant of his head. “But I reckon the case must go up to the higher court, and we may as well attend to it at once. Comé along, you two anxious chil- aren!” THEY hung back, but he started oft with the nervous haste of one who desires to put something. away from himself irrevocably. “We're going to your father, Lora— going now while the spirit is strong. Come! T'll do the talking.™ They went along with him. Starr's face Was white and he trembled, stal- wart youngster though he was. “Why haven't you come out with it, my boy?" demanded Winn, “I didn't dare, sir! I've been walit- to get a fair start in life.” 'ommendable policy, but “Yes, father!” “Young Starr, stock and it's you, of money. I try to be I'm going to expect just as square with m Her husband must be same. When you can find that you and I vided she continues of S till then. There is to what's called courting. Judge Winn?" I “You have a protej daughter. We'll play f; ter.” grasped it. of the office, her father. “Have you anything leaving in, dent were on the stree! not declared the judge I know I'm not talking the thing out |always wise where love is concerned,”| “With all the gratitude of my (o0 ‘he kind of arbitrament tnat right. But it's only this, Lora: T love |declared the judge. “Lora, how about | heart, I—" i§ honorhad repudisted you! Now, I'm going to confide some- | this Blaisdell chap " *Oh, I dow't mean that! Inhate hatr-{™3 BOROE W08 FORUEISCEC. thing to vou" He was wistfully| “I told him long ago that I haq!O!l talk” snapped Winn. “You haven't|, r.\ paces behind * 5 Jeager. “They dom't think I know |chosen somebody.” becn sticking closely to your studies| ™ ; "y "uouare near the judge's office imuch law, these poor folks up here!| “And he persists in hanging around,|lately. Have you a side line—a pros-|, \} ong was massed around two men 10f course, they have no way of un-|eh? We'll'see about Mr. Blafsdell” pecy?m LE e hol had ibsani Aptithell Constalion derstanding me ot ‘ 1|promised vedf@rimly, ¥ 25 G 3 (e ban it ”;&H‘g Tike the 1 2 o FERE | .10 vou teel like telling me about I e the statutés of this state. The gov-| They found Blaisdell with Sturgis|it?’ through the press he passed a car- ernor tells me that when that work | Davenport in the brick office when| Starr hestitated. riage in which Sturgis Davenport andl has been finished he is going to ap- | they entered. 3 I see that you don't. All right,” |y "o Lo 0 coated. “A constable hflni | No hurry ahout our business, sir” stated the lawyer when he had ex- changed salutes with the mill owner. “We'll wait over here in the corner.” Davenport conttnued to listen to Blaisdell's earnest exposition of some subject, and the city man took his time about the matter, occasionally fiinging a patronizing glance at the walting trio. When Blaisdell went on his way, the judge marched to Davenport and shook hands cordiaily. “Dave, there's a bright point me one of the judges of the { supreme court. I have stayed up here jon the edge of the woods to have plenty of time to study.” * X ¥ ¥ you're my best friend “It's because you a tell me just vy on the stammering. E had been looking away from her while he talked. He felt sure that she was rejolcing, just as he re- jolced. He feared that her delight at the wonderful news would cause her to look up, and he did not dare to meet her eyes just then. “And I stayed because you were just 1 am. for a confidence till rushing in on me and me listen to him. Whe: way—rush! Ul have for you. Clients were less th young noon. He snapped th what they were sayin frequently villagers plenty of his himself. rocks on the summit able to sit hidden, faci He called the place Stand.” Whenever grudge or tribulation, Moosemane and took h Witness Stand, held up and swore solemnly to truth to himself, add into his tone when he The trail across the | mane was visible from A man appeared on patrolling to and fro. ON THE PORCH JUDGE WINN WENT TO THE MAN WHO WAS ROUGHLY SSED AND WHOSE HAT BRIM WAS TIPPED LOW could not conceal the trousers and the stripe: the _mlil man—Blaisde stated owner. The judge nodded. Davenport went on: “I expect to make a very close hitch with Blalsdell.” “Business? “Of course!” He looked at Winn and _wrinkled his forehead. “Oh, T see what you mean. However, we'll let the young folks take care of that. But as to business—I've about decld- ed, with Blaisdell’s co-operatfon, to make it Davenport, Incorporated. Bigger opportunities! So, Dave, .I think vou'll be getting a job pretty soon attending to the legal detalls “Hire somebody else. I keep away from corporation practice.” | “Great Scott! ' Is there any kind 6t practice that you do want?” ‘'m on a case right now. I'mrep- resenting those two children over there. They're in love. Jack Starr is bound to make good. “Under your tuition, Dave?" queried the mill owner satirically, but with a mile; Te 2 “I'm grounding him in the law, Mr. Davénport. He has the right stuff in him. He doesn't need to follow my example sbout fees. My system Is strictly~ for myself—and Olamon. Jack will settle-somewhere else. £ * ¥ % % HE father took thought, surveying his daughter and her lover. Then he beckoned to them and they came timidly ,to his desk, “Lora, ever} since your mother went on to blessed- 3 ness I’have been dreading the day “No! He seems to be afraid to when yol’'d comé to me, ‘as you come anything. 4 now. She would have known what to The judge summoned Starr with an |say to you. Are you ‘sure of your . oy = here. Seeing you every day put the courage in me to spend my nights in study.” For the first time in his life David Winn was revealing pride in achieve- ment. He was bringing to the secret shrine of his love the one great trophy of his life. She did not reply to him, and her silence made him snap his head around quickly and stare at her. She was gazing past him at something else. Winn did not immediately fol- low that gaze to Its object. Her de- meanor proved a. more absorbing matter for his attention just then In his law practice he had made the study of unconscious expression a fad; it was his method of getting at the truth. Now he realized that he was looking at a girl who was in love—wholly, devotedly and.with ab- solute self-surrender. He glanced over his shoulder. His law student, Jack Starr, was standing in.the road, returning her gaze. “Dave!” she gasped, awaking. haven't thought of it that way He struggled out of his .chair and strode off acros¢ the lawn, his hands behind him, clasped. Then he whirled and came back :slowly. “Lora” he sa¥l gently, “there’s an old English aduge, ‘No man can gather cherries in Kent at the season.of Christma: I should have remembered it—my father used to say it. Do you Iove that boy?” P g > ‘Yes, Dave!" “Has he said anything to you §j ence with Blaisdell. too far away to hear he saw an exchange tween the two. man went on Blaisdell remalned, black: and forth. The judge hurried 4 and faced him. The judge was stur he was shorter than marched close to the looked up My friend, a little lo has been staked off down there. Trespass slgn is up. dell with insolence. “Counsel. There W silence. breath. - “I don't know shake -hands with you, is to be ordered off the ‘Careful, man!” your misery—I don't 1 pany. Mii up and be sensible.” matter." “So do'I the Davenport dollars nothing agalnst you that your folks have not made a lot my best to give my girl a good home. prospects or the real hard cash, come to & good understanding, But there is to be no set engagement right—and as square He put out his hand and Winn Then the lawyer ushered Starr out asked the judge when he and his stu- “It isn't because I don't feel that ' the judge broke in to handle your own business, my boy, 1 wouldn't give a snap But now—it's dinner time.’ fled with Lawyer Winn that after- were times when he did not listen to out of the wildow, eyes on the crest of Moosemane Hill. AFTER supper he took a walk up to the summit of Moosemane. He displayed in his daily life among the but he kept a few of them secret unto There was a niche in the he wanted to cleanse his soul of doubt or envy or mighty, you may take the witnes: That day the judge put specjal fervor Olamon except Ralph Blaisdell owned a summer rig like that; A second man came along the trafl and engaged In some sort of confer- The judge w After a whilg the toward the village. pacing into an astonished face. You know what I. “How do you. fit?” demanded Blais- a considerable pertod of The city man drew a long I'm much mistaken, you know how it in this case I can'l Davenport wiil soon wake “Blaisdell, I mean business in this Because you couldn’t'get don’t propose to stand by -and have you use Starr for your tongs. 7 “Damn you, Blaisdell, you're trying to torch me i With: you Jiere and now, | more* surprise than anger in the come of good |judge's tone. The city man took one step nearer. “If you want to play that hunch, go to ft!” The judge shook his head. much of a fellow to use my fis “I may have had a little more prac- tice in that line,” said Blaisdell patronizingly. “I have a few medals | as a boxing amateu ‘Good! But I'm not the champion of the Wild Mountain region, and| you'd get no medal for licking me— and I'd win no ground by licking you. It would be only a cheap brawl—no real stakes u He turn- ed away, but immediately he faced Blaisdell. “However it seems to be between you and me from now on, son. When I'm convinced that we can really settle the dispute with our fists I'll drop around and let you know." 2 square man. that you'll be e. I have done “I'm not able to do the show me sure ou'll can pro- the same mind. and Lora be nothing of How about it, ge—1 have a air in the mat- * k %k X BEFORE Judge Winn had taken a dozen steps down the trail there was an uproar in the village below | and the nature of the outcries sug- gested that other parties were resort- the girl with to say to me?” t. been hunting for you, judge.” stated the mill owner. “One of the gladi- ators wants your help!” The man, apprised by the voices of the crowd that Judge Winn had ar- rived, began to shout, demanding that the other man be placed under bonds to keep the peace. “I want to go onto my timberlands and be let alone,” he cried. “Judge, he's a liar and a thief.” roared the other. The judge knew that man. He was the fleld boss fori —iUs—it's—" ren’'t ready to You're entitled a chap comes simply makes n you feel that plenty of time an ever satis- em up. There &. He looked his idiosyncrasies, where he was ing the sunset “The Witness . he climbed is place on the his right hand tell the whole ing: “God Al took the oath. lope of Moose- where he sat. it, sauntering, NG one else in even the dusk Wwhite flannel d coat. “PM A SLOW-MO! the volces, but e of objects be-|a company of timber operators. in Ragmuff township. ““Bring those men to my office.” Winn commanded the officers. 2 He gave no orders to exclude the public from the proposed hearing; Olamon would not have understood such star-chamber methods. Davenport was walting with ‘his daughter at the foot of the outside stairway when the judge arrived there. = s ““From some remarks dropped by ‘those men when they were fighting it' has occurred to me that I have a special Interest in thls matter,” ex- plained the mill owner. Winn escorted the two into the office and gave thiem seats ut his table. Starr, the law stu- dent, was in the office when they -en- tered: He had been studying and he hastily replaced the big books on the shelves and cleared the table; stack- ing his: scattered papers. The folks from the street packed the little room and stood on: the stairs without. 3 The judge's sharp questions- drew out the facts quickly. The man .whom he had recognized was Dan Corrison. The other man stated that his name was Cyrus Goff. He declared that. he was the last one of the pioneer Gofts of the Wild,Mountain region, that-he had been carried to”the far west by his folks when he was & child, that he recently pawed over musty ‘E'blgl slowly lown the slope dily bullt, but Blaisdell. He city man and ve reservation in\ the village ean. Keep off. but I ought to judge. Unless me reserva- t Join you in ike your com- for yourself I 1 Dbelieve nto a fight and had.found .deeds to, ti in the éast. “Why aldn't your father take stens to realize on his property, sir? “He always said It was no use to g0 back and fight the timber thieves. The judge made a long survey of the man who calied hims The light had been dim on the hei sid Wi the man with whom Blaisdell nferred. friend contemplation, finding the man's eves ¢ and his demeanor lacking can- “your claim as to the lands is shi dor, not for this court tection from assault, that matter. Davenport leaned close to the judge and whispered easy for Corrison. He's really fighting for me, though he doesn’t know it. I have been keeping my ownership of Ragmuff Blaisdell and 1 can get the corpora- the_ r. nn of di 1y f GOFF STEPPED FORWARD AND JABBED AN ACCUSATORY FINGER AT STARR. “HE HIRED ME TO BE' !l;uxm—army-nm SPLIT> & e ¥ mbertands If the Goff but the fello unquestionab had Moosemane, ecided, was aid the judge after 1f you ask for pro- I can arrange in his ear: “Make it township quiet till tion business well started.” Young Starr touched the judge's elbow when his honor resumed his scrutiny of the uneasy claimant. Starr was very %pale and much dis- turbed. dress the court, low tones. “] see no reason why you should “I'd like permission to ad- sir,” he pleaded in mess into this thing,” returned Winn indulgently. BL. do “I saw vou talking with him on tie side of Moosemane - 0. & ago.” T ‘the ja asking me wa wa cated,” blurted young Starr. “I— The judge rapped his knuckies on the table. me t s,” he He ki KNOW. BUT YOU HAV nt. B AISDELL was in the room, stand- ing at the end of the table. Al-|shortly. though the judge had deprecated the use of fists in combat, he understood the sclence of punching swiftly and relentlessly u k as llke a short-arm hook to with words. “Blaisdell, w this man?” Lrit a little while the city man winced. “He where your office stated, after hesitation. new where this office is lo- M “We're not ready for argu- ut I can use a few facts.” He turmed to Goff, but before the judge had time to put a question the man dragged a document from his pocket and tossed it upon the table. ‘There's a fact—that's my depd!” Winn did not pick it up. In law his acumen was rarely at fault. Here was one of those self-betraying. persons who are known in courts, as. “ready witnesse T . ppreciate. aperation,” said .Winn have stated. that the claim matier is not for this court. Corrison, I must act on this man’s complaint, in the way of stopping from mauling each other.” your spirit of. co- ut enly you_twd men He pulled out a drawer and searched for a legal blank. - _He 'was aware that Blalsdell had plcked up the paper which Goft had thrown on the table.. The judge took plenty of time in locating the blank in the table drawer. The city man unfolded the alleged deed, examined tween himself and the table lamp. His _exclamation of n called the attention of all in ‘the fully "twenty_ Ye: ing and held the paper be- aston{shment fe .of this_deed Is eaflfer than the date of the watermark in this sheet of paper.” concluslon s, therefore, Mr. Blaisdell, that the deed is a forgery and this man is ar imposter or 4 conspi- rator?” “That's just how it looks.” “And T'fl take your word 1ooks—you have sharp eyes, si i “If that's the way of it, I've been double-crossed by & fool who didn't have sense enough to put his job over slick and smooth,” deciared the claimant hotly. “I'm going to turn state’s evidence and put myself right and claim the protection I'm entitled to.” “Very well” agreed “Who is the fool?” _ Goff stepped forward and jabbed an accusatory forefinger at Starr. “He hiréd me to be the heir—ffty- fifty split.” “Youre a llar!" student. Davenport until this moment had shown the air of a man who was well scared by the claimant's pretensions. The mill owner understood from ex- pensive experfence that knaves could make sad havoc of timberland titles that were based on forfeiture by van- ished heirs or through unpaid taxes. New, in his jubilant relief, he w cruei “So that's how your rising protege proposed to make good, Judge Winn! 1t's mighty unfortunate for all con- cerned that I, personallye happen to wner of a Ragmuft under a corporate name.” * * x TTHE lawyer was giving Starr un- undivided attention. “My boy. let me test you out in terseness. In how few words can you give me your side of this matter.” “Sir, this man came Into the office one day looking.for a lawyer. I told him to wait for you. He showed me his papers—he sounded honest. He sald he had always been afraid of real lawyers—they'd take all for themselves.” “Thank you, Gofr,” sald Winn. “He sald he-needed ready money quick. He wanted me to go in with Bim. I knew the Ragmuff. I knew there was some kind of doubt about the titles. I went in.” “Oh, my boy, why didn't you lay the matter before me, not as a law- yer, but as vour friend?” ‘Because 1 am, 1 understand now, what he says I am—a fool. But I wanted to make good. “I demand that both these men be held for the grand jury on the charge of criminal conspiracy,” said Daven- port. “Judge, I shall protest most strenuously if you allow your friend- ship to influence you to—"" “Just one moment, sir!” cried the judge sharply. “T have allowed mat- ters to run on here this evening in free and easy fashion in order to get at the facts quickly. But I am not free and easy in regard to the law and to justice. I shall not require any suggestions from you, Mr. Da- venport. From time to time Winn had given Lora Davenport glances of reassur- ance and comfort. He looked straight at her when he declared, talking to {ail: “Innocence need have no fear of the light. I must hold Cyrus Goff and John Starr—" He was Interrupted. A letter, & note inclosed in an unstamped envelope from the Olamon tavern office, 8o the printing stated, had come to the judge relayed by the hands of the crowd He read it. Then he made the as- tonishing announcement: “The court will take a recess, and will return HE COURT TOOK A RECESS—A Dran;'atic Story of Wild Mofin_tain—By HohnanDay to the judge. shouted the law be the He went around the end of the table and put his mouth close to Blaisdell's ear. “Take a stroll with me—it's important When he gently pushed Blaisdell along the young man went, though not with alacrity. The crowd opened respectfully. “Well, what is It all about? de- manded the city man as soon as they were in the street. “1 said a stroll—come along When they were near the tavern the judge asked Blaisdell to wait. Y EVES HOW I HAVE LOVED YOU. ON’ the porch the lawyer went to a man who was roughly dressed and whose hat brim was tipped low. “An incog is a great -thing, Dave' the: man remarked. “Nobody on the stagecoach knew me. As I wrote you, it's strictly incog. If L don't .| Rave waMes and two days of fishing with you, my nerves will be sticking out all over me like a quill-pig’s bristles. They told me /you were hold- ing court. All over..of course!” “No, took a recess and hustled across here to the tavern. * * * I had business outside. Your note was a €ood excuse.” . *if my title slips out of you, I'll brain yo “I'm making you so thoroughly and strictly incog that I'm going to call on you to stand by over here in the shadows and referee a little matter. You're up here for sport—you may ai well get your sporting blood to circu- agreed the man heartily. “The minute I get into the edge of the woods, away from that infernal plug hat, I feel like & pagan.” “Come along, son,” the judge told Blaisdell when the two swung off the porch and passed the young man. Winn led the way into-an alley be- tween the general store-and: & stable. “Blajsdell, I told you Fd drop around and det you know when I had made up my mind that your way of settling an.argument was the right way. You choe fisty, 1f what I think you are is cortect, fists are called for. Take off your coat!' The judge pulled off his own coat and laid it scross the bystander's arm. “Off with your coat, son. unless you're afraid, now that fhe thing is down to brass tacks!" ’ “I'm not afraid!” blustered the one who had challenged on Moosemane. He stripped off his coat and flung it toward the extended st of the ref- eree. But the judge deftly caught the coat, slapped & hand- agalnst {t, grunted his satisfaction, and Started away. “All hands on deck! Court is about to reconvene.” . * * x % HE Fad a wary éxe out for Blais- dell's rush, whirled, tossed the coat to his friend, and received sev- eral blows on his face and breast without even being jogged. Blaisdell worked after the fashion of the trained’ boxer; but the judge, when the young man lunged close, crooked the arm which he held at his side, swung with arm and body both, and knocked his assailant flat and sen: less with a blow behind the ear. Then he put on his coat, took Blais- dell's from the walting arm, and urged the referee to come along. Certainly not! Whet in biue blezes does this mean, Dave?" “No time to explain. Come fints court. Please! You'll not draw an: attention—there's other business on “I'll not take the chance—I have an incog to protect.” “But you can’t afford to miss this I'm going to call Recorder Peaslee 1/ the bench. His first shot at the job I've told you all about Peaslee. Can you, I ask you—can you stay away? I swear I can't At the foot of the stairway two constables were keeping open a pas- sageway, “Boys, there's a fellow in the alley Just around the corner. Bring him into court,” commanded the judge. “Be spry! The crowd had eyes only for Judge Winn when he walked into the room. The stranger etood in the ranks, un- noticed. “Recorder Peaslee!” called the judge, halting in the middle of the office. Mr. Peaslee was at his desk in the corner. He rose, mouth open “I am not here officially—not vet. stated the judge. “Take the bench, Recorder Peaslee! ot by a -blame sight shouted the distracted official The crowd laughed uproariously. The terrors of Recorder Peaslee regarding ’ his job were well understood in Olamon “Take the bench, I tell you! Call this unruly crowd to order or clear the room. It's your duty under the Law™ I'm going home!" raved Peaslee. But when he leaped for the door 2 man caught him by the shoulders and looked hard into his face. “My Gawd, this is & nightmare yelled the recorder. “You're the— the—" THE man clapped his palm over the gasping mouth. He shot a few words into Peaslee's ear in an undertone, and when he pushed the recorder away that official staggered to the table in dumb obedience. The constables arrived, supporting the blinking Biaisdell between them. “Mr. Recorder. I charge myself with the offense of assault and battery ou one Blaisdell, whom you see—and his appearance proves the charge. Do vour duty,” commanded Winn." The recorder flapped a weak hand. beckoning the judge, who went to the table and lent a listening ear while Peaselee hoarsely whispered: “What do I do?" “Fine me ten dollars and the cosis of court. Speak up! Give the thing dignit; Peaslee got his husky voice under control. He had been adjured to up held the dignity of the court. Hazily he remembered something about the methods of pronouncing sentence. He raised his right hand. O, yea! © yea! In the case now on hearing For assaulting end battering one Blaiedell, you are fined ten dollare David Winn, and the costs, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul” Then, under cover of the uproar of hilarity, the judge took his place on the bench. Out of the pockets of Blaisdell's coat he dragged papers He inspected them. He showed them to Davenport. : “You can see for yourself, sir. Here are notes, memoranda, drafts and re- drafts of documents, pyrporting to be deeds and identification. 1 saw Biale- dell in conference with Goff on the side of Moosemane at dusk. It's evi- dence, this mess of practice papers. of a rather crude attempt to set Up a claimant in_a plot to discredit young Starr. You and 1 know well enough why the person who owns that coat wanted to involve Starr I'm guessing this ‘much, Mr. Dawen- port"—he looked into Goff's eyes as he spoke, and the man did not ven- ture to contradict—"this claimant has been well paid, and would forfeit his caeh bail and disappesr, leaving the stigma on my student. You.and I realize what thai would have accom- plished! Nobody wanted your land But _somebody wanted something else.” 18 homer faced the throng. ““That's all for tonight, friends. Con- stables, clear the room.” Hé threw Blaisdell's coat at the young man “I'm keeping - the papers.. Good-bye I'm speaking for the town of Olamon when 1 say good-bye. Understand?" The judge held to Starr's hand anc confronted Davenport and Lora. “Mr. Davenport, why don’t you take the children home with you and talk to_them out of your wisdom?" The mill owner nodded to the young man_and ushered him and Lora to- ward the door. 3 5 ‘When all were gone but the stran- ger, the judge pulled down the cur- * * % x * ok k% tains. He pushed his canister of to- bacco across the table to his guest 'Now, rnor, Mister Ineog can take it easy in his shirt sleeves.” The governor gestured with his pipe stem toward the closed dbot “Very pretty girl! Cleanscit younx ch; Romance?” 2 “Yes, sir. 1'll proceed to tell you governor, how nearly that littlg ro- mance was wrecked thfs evening Then perhaps you éan forgive "m judicial irregularity, -during- the re cess. And saying that.reminds 1" have been thinking over. your promise regardipg the preme bench. I'm afraid- my appolutmen: will embarrs T “What?" .excelency indignantly. “After your - aelection by the legislature to revise the stat- utes? Any good reason Why you're not 8o eager for the appointment a: you were a while . “Governor, do you remember why you stopped whipping your fiies over Rainbow pool after you had seen that big trout break?" . “Of course I do! That confounded little barefooted tad ducked inm_ ungder my nose and derricked the trout out with an alder pole.” * - ¢ “Exactly!” confirmed the judge leantng beck . and - blowing -amoke rings. = . % . g The governor studied hias friend f¢ some time. “AW-w-wsw, Umb! THAt it, is it, Dave? ° “That's about it!" (Coprright, 1822. Al ssid the sudge. rights reserved.)