The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-22

over, and they somewhat doetully pre-
pared to return home.
THAT we have" assented Nelly,
heartily. but, Lefty, I've tobog-
gaming was not as exciting as-you
know-our secret"
Judge Laurance was due at the
Town Hall at ten o'clock one morning.
n select committee had been awaiting
him there for some time; but still he
came not. Upon the faces of the com
mitteemen were varied expressions of
embarrassment, chagrin, Indignation,
and I'VE amusement. The judge had
been nomin g U as the Temperance
candidate by the Prohibition party in
the coming election. A grateful coun-
ty had at last recognized his sterling
worth, and Parliament, it was conf
IDENTIFY affirmed, would shortly fling
wide her portals to welcome an abER
statesman. There a a solid vote for
Laurance right through his county.
Why, then. this absence of warmth,
these alien glances, as the judge at last
strobe in? Surely not for that trifing
delay of five minutes, for which he SO
amply apologized.
Hang it, gentlemen" cried the
judge. who was easily put out, whats
the matter with you all?"
':It's a very painful duty we have to
perform" began a thin old man, with
a sad c~ountenance.
''Well, be quick about it, then" said
the judge, very sensibly.
There was a dead silence.
''It's a lynching Ease, perhapsP" said
the judge, with
''Look here, Laurance," said anoth-
er, suddenly, a great personal friend OF
the judges, 1--WE want you to retire.
After all that's happened, wencan't
send you up as "a Temperance Sepre-
sentative"
TO this speech, hurriedly uttered,
came a strong chorus of support-"No,
indeed. we can't now, you know"
In cases of real emergency the judge
often kept his temper. He now looked
round upon the group with undisguised
a1nazement.
sYou must be good enough to ex-
plain yourselves, gentlemen" he said.
Another dead silence. At last a mem
Der blurted out:
Judge, we don't want to hurt your
feelings, but we can't have a man who's
given to drink to represent u.s."
Il don't know what you mean to in
sinuate," said the judge, coldly, "but
I think every one present knows /
haven't tasted drop of liquor for the
last twenty years; though from prin-
ciple only, not having been given to
drinking previously"
"Come now, judge, draw it mild"
pleaded the sad-faced man.
'Sir!n Numbered Laurance.
Judge! iudgem repeated the last
speaker, sorrowfully, you've a-for-
feited u confidence and respect al
ready, you're a-forfeiting it agen."
If demand an instant explanation"
said Laurance, hastily, looking round
the circle.
"Well, them" said another member,
stepping forward, you shall have it,
plain and unvarnished. YoNwere taken
to your lodgings in Mont cal, during
the late carnival, in a ~disgraeeiul state
Of intoxication."
'.It's q lie!" shouted the judge, and
looking up suddenly, saw his niece
standing at the optten door of the com
m%ittee-room.
He waved her back, and she vanished
Immediately.
"Now them" cried the judge, looka
ing very warlike. "where's the author
OF this scandal?
Then he turned suddenly pale, as
Harry Hill stepped forward. Hill!
almost his pretty Nelly's affianced hus-
band.
''Sir." said the young nan, WIN Wis
ihle emotion, Il solemnly declare I
never meant to betray YOU" n
a The judge looked thunderstruck, and
this was taken as overwhelming proof
Of his guilt.
Il was so sorry about it." faltered
tile young man, ''that | took Bonar
into my confidence. / thought we were
entirely alone; / never dreamed our
conversation would be overheard"
.Its a lie." repeated the judge. sit
was some one else you saw. What
made you think of mea"
f'No one could mistake your fur
coat" cried several voices.
"Pshaw" said the judge, shortly.
'.You must bring better evidence, or
I'll sue every one of you for libel"
mo one could mistake the Misses
Laurance," said the judges friend, in
a low tone.
What the deuce do you mean?''
shouted the Judge.
''Why, they were seen supporting.
you on each side" cried some one, with
brutal candor. II think that's con-
elusive"
To depict the judges expression of
mingled incredulity and fury were well
worthy of a master painter; but ere he
could reply, 10! there again stood Nelly
In the doorway, grasping by the arm a
man who had the impudence to be wear
ing his own pet o%vercoat, whilst Lefty
stood on the other side.
Here is the real culprit!" cried
Nelly's clear voice. {
The girls advanced into the room,