Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-05-14
She was about to reply when the Judge

tnterposed.
"You must not speak to the prisoner,
madam, but you may come up here and
tell me what you know about this man.
You may be able to clear up this mat
ter
The young lady, blushing rosily and
smiling at the thought of being able to
give somc assistance to her benefactor,
stepped before the judge and was sworn.
She gave her name, but in spite of all
attention Lawrence missed it in the con-
fusion attendant upon the bringing in
OF several new arrests. He began to see
the end Of his difficulties, and Joy pos
sessed him as the judge listened with
evident belief to the young lady's ac-
count OF the park episode.
"And what is the gentleman's name?"
asked the judge when she had finished
her little story.
"Mr. Thomas JONES'" replied the
widow promptly. 1t was the name she
had heard Lawrence give at the police
station.
When he heard this answer Drane
groaned audibly. The impostor's face
was lighted by triumphant smile
and the judge frowned. The young
lady saw that something had gone awry
and she exclaimed Historically:
"Oh, dear! Have | done any thing
wrong?"
Nothing whatever, madam" said
the judge. "You may step down. Now,
Mr. Thomas Jones, you told me en-
phatically but few days ago that your
name was Jones. Have you any thing
moro to say?"
"Your honor" and Lawrence's-voice
was ragged with emotion as he spoke:
81 see that have been continually be-
set with my own blunders. | blundered
in lying about my name, which Is really
Drane; since then / have blundered at
every step until committed the last in
declining to explain myself l will
gladly pay the expense of telegraphing
to Kansas City. My friends there will
reply to your satisfaction
1--WE will let you do that, JONES'" said
the judge, but meantime shall hold
you, and II reply does not come before
we adjourn you will have to remain"
There was nothing for Lawrence to do
but acquiesce and write his telegram as
fast as possible. This, after some Judi
clal editing, read as follows;
SANFoRD DRANE-I am held in court
| on suspicion Of stealing my own clothes
and my name. Please wire the court at
once full description of my appearance
and history. Id.
Then his own statement of his ad-
ventures was taken down. If this
should correspond to the account to be
telegraphed he would be free. Con-
6dent of the result he followed an Of
ficer to the prison, leaving the pretty
widow sitting on front seat tearfully
listening to whispered lecture from
that export character reader, Mrs.
Bowers.
Tho impostor, anxious to establish
his case before reply to Mr.. Drane's
telegram should arrive, hurried from
the court accompanied by an officer
They went to Broadway hotel and
marched straight up to the pompous
clerk
'Do you know this man?' asked the
policeman.
"Know him?" returned the clerk,
scornfully, 81 should hope not!'
''But you remember" cried the i'm
postor, "that came here this morning
and took room, don't you? l am Law
renee prane, of Kansas City. You'll
find my name on the register"
The clerk examined the big book.
There's Mr.. Drane here,n he said;
~ remember him. He was a we'll
| dressed man, and you-why, he wouldn't
let you in at tho door If you didn't come
with policeman. Besides, this Mr.
Drane camo from New Haven"
''Oh, Lord! forgot thatr' exclaimed
the impostor; you see. came down
from New Haven on an early train.
| Why, was married in New Haven yes
terday!'
The clerk turned away with a sniff Of
! disgust
"Come now, whatever your name is"
said the otiscer, don't waste any more
time. March back to court"
So back he went, regretting at every
step that his sudden prosperity had so
enlivened his respect for cleanliness
that he had ventured to take bath.
First I've taken for years." he NUT
tered, land 1t serves me right. Got on
we'll enough without before"
There were a lot of late arrivals at
jefferson market that day, and it was
six o'clock before tho court was ready
TO adjourn. Mrs. Bowers and the fair
widow were still there, the former stay
ing against her will at the earnest solic-
itation of tho latter. She was sadly
! disturbed at having failed so signally
to aid ne. bonefactor, and was anxious
to learn the result ~ the inquiry. Just
in the nick OF time. as 1t seemed TO her,
a messenger boy crawlcd into the room
and demanded with amazing indiffeF-
ence.
us dc Judge here?"
The Judge relieved the boy of his dis
/ ;>atch and addressed remark to him
which sent hiB out Of court several
thousand tim>s faster than he came in.
The two claimants to the name of Drane
were already at the bar. The judge read
tho telegram silently, coughed, read it
again and remarked:
This does not seem to help matters
for either of YOU"
Then he read tho dispatch aloud:
1.-THE JUDGE, Jefferson Market Court,
Nlao Tork-If Lawrence Drane is in
your charge please hold him. He is un-
! doubtedly insane.
/ SANFORD DRANE."
"There is vile conspiracy back OF
thisr cried the real Drane.
"Oh, give it up! Pm not Drane at
| ALL" shouted the imposter.
Thumpity-bag! said the judges gavel,
angrily, and tho Judge himself added:
"The court believes you are both de-
mente6. ] shall commit you both to an
asylum foP examination and treat
ment"
CHAPTER VII
JENKINS RETREAT.
Amid the SORROWS in which Drane was