Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-16

asked me to let YOU he'll p me in the con-
duct of some case in which you could
show me the value of your study of the
law. | am minded to try You on a case,
though | imagine that woman's wit will
be of more service in it than legal
knowledge"
The dark eyes flashed, and the girl was
all excitement in Il moment. "Will you
really let me help your she exclaimed.
"What is the case:"
"Ill let you try said the father quiz
zically. Here is the case, or rather
statement of it. 1t is all | know about
it so far, but / shall consult my new
client tomorrow. Read the story to-
morrow and be prepared for consulta-
ton tomorrow night"
But the next morning at breakfast
the girl said, ~ have read that story,
father, and / want to see Mr.. Saunders"
when did you read it" demanded
Mr.. Fairlegh.
Last night, of course. You don'tsup
pose l could sleep when | had my first
case to study"
"See here, madam" said the father
stern1y, eff you are going to ruin your
health sitting up all night you'll get no
more cases from my office"
Nonsense, papa" said Julia, laugh
ing. ado you suppose the loss of one
nights sleep is going to injure healthy
young woman like me-
"Well, don't do it again" grumbled
her father.
Never mind that When are you
going to see Mr.. Saunders:'
To-day, | suppose"
ask him to dine here tonight, won't
you? He's a gentleman, SUPPOSE
sob, yes" said Mr.. Fairlegh, IL little
doubtfully, "he is gentleman, but l
don't know about
"Now, papa, now am | going to ad-
wise in a case like this without knowing
the man.
1t YVES settled that Saunders was to be
invited to dinner. He accepted, and SO
one more complication entered into the
life Of that much perplexed young man.
He did not fall i'll love at first sight, for
he was too thoroughly engrossed with
his own bewilderments to think of it,
able man. But the gracious kindness
and courtesy and strong magnetism Of
the girl influenced him, though he was
not fully conscious of the fact at the
time
This gracious kindness was not mani
tested at first, however. Instead there
was decided start of surprise when
-, al Lla
had hidden to dinner, and her father no.
ticed that she was studying him intenCly
for long time before the subject of his
inducements was broached.
Saunders had arrived at the appointed
hour and received the greetings of his
host with conventional politeness. though
he was evidently almost worn cut with
nervous excitement, while the pallor of
his face and the dark rings around his
eyes told of sleeplessness and anxiety.
He was on society parade, however.
and acquitted himself wiin the ease of a
man who was no stranger in polite cir
Giles.
I'VE will tall, business after dinner"
said Mr.. Fair!egh, and accordingly the
two gentlemen We're presently enter
tanned at table by the motherless girl.
who had found time to so into society
and study law at the same time that she
presided over her fathers household.
All through the dinner Nj. Fairlegh
could see that his daughters keen scru-
tiny of their guest continued, but sup
posing that she was studying the client
rather than the man he was III nowise
surprised.
After the dessert he passed his guest y
cigar and said: MY daughter is indul-
gent enough TO sit with Inc while
smoke SO she will certainly not object
to our enjoying cigars while we discuss
your case. More than that, she is now
a silent partner in my law firm, and if
you like will join in our consultation"
Saunders looked astonishod, but said
promptly: Il can certainly be only
pleased to be advised by two good coun-
selors instead of one. Has Miss Fair
leigh, then, read my story?'
Il have" she said as promptly, "and,
what is more to the purpose, | think |
understand it better than you do. Let
me ask you question, though, before |
say what | think. Have you worn that
ring long, Mr.. Saunders:"
Mr.. Fairlegh stared, and Saunders
looked at his left hand in great astonish-
ment at the question. Yes" he said.
II have worn it since was boy. 1t
has never been off my finger since my
mother gave it to me before she died
In fact could not get it off now, for, as
you see, it is considerably smaller than
my finger"
well, what on earth'--bcgan Mr..
Fairlegh, but Julia stopped him.
"Never mind now, papa. You know
very we'll that did not ask such ques-
ton as that out Of idle curiosity. You
will see presently what meant"
Still more surprised the two men
looked at her as she went on talking.
She was flushed with excitement, but
her perfect steadiness of tone showed
| that she had arranged her thoughts in
order as methodically as her father could
! have done.
In the first place" she said 'are you
! positive that You never saw hrs. Greg
! ~ ,it than . in,