The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-10

tors. and lawyers hold the secrets % the
world. but perhaps Of these three classes
the man Of law has the largest insight
into queer human nature.
am a common law barrister by pro-
fession. and have had 10 the course Of my
practice some curious experiences.
Amongst these a rather out-of-the-way
case. on which perhaps divers opinions
may be formed. occurred shortly before I
took silk
was at home after a hard days work
IN the criminal courts. when my servant
told me that a young lady. who seemed in
urgent distress. wished to see me.
As the man spoke. he presented me with
her card. I read the name on it-Mrs.
Jasper Lawson. Underneath was crib
bied in pencil: You used 10 be friend
of my husbands For the sake OF old
friendship viii you come ana see him
at once"
had a moments difficulty in recalling
the old friendship; then 1 remembered a
slim lad who used to fag for me at Rug
by, and who was freshman In the same
college as mine at oxford. His face rose
up before me, eager. earnest, a little
weak in some Of its outlines and yet with
a pathos about It which Immediately APP
peal 10 the best side Of ones nature.
/ told the servant to let Mrs. Lawson
know that / would be with her imme-
diately, and then followed him TO my
study. l found a very young-looking girl
waiting to see me. She was standing by
the FIRE, with her hands locked tightly
together. She turned on hearing my foot
sau. and came impulsively to my side.
She did not offer 20 shake hands ! saw
at a glance that she was past all cere-
mony.
you are Godfrey Derwent?' she
pueried.
I bowed in answer to so patent fact.
Then you viii come to see my husband
Immediately"
do you mind telling me what ne wants
TO see me for?'' l asked.
Il cannot tell you. she answered quick
~. HE is very anxious that you should
VISIT him. He says that you are the only
man in London whom he cares to consult
your opinion is the only one which viii
completely satisfy him. He would come
TO you, but he is ill-very. very i'll. ] fear
much that / shall lose my husband, and
we have only been married month
She dropped her eyes in order TO conceal
abe tears which filled them.
ily to my face.
''Will you waive ceremony. and because
of the old friendship come to see him at
bnce?"
What. tonight / asked.
Yes. Immediately" she replied. MY
hansen is waiting at the door-will you
come back with me?-for the sake OF old
friendship" she repeated again.
l smiled inwardly as / thought how
slight that friendship really was. Mrs.
Lawson was asking me to do thing COM
pletely out Of the ordinary course. Never
fheless ] would humor her Her absorb
ton in her subject aroused my Interest,"
made up my mind to do what l could for
her.
Il will come with you,' I said.
Her eyes gave pe an expressive glance,
but she did not thank me in words. Two
minutes later we were on our way TO her
house. which was in a fashionable street
and bore all the outward semblance OF
wealth.
AS soon as we arrived she took me
straight up to her husbands room. 1t
was a large and handsomely furnished
bedroom. When she opened the door she
repeated my name in a voice of con-
cealed triumph 70 man who was
stretched nat in bed.
Here is Mr.. Derwent Jasper" she eX-
claimed i said I'd bring him.
When she spoke the man opened sunken
and very dim blue eyes, and looked from
me TO her. and from her back to me
again.
How you have changed, Godfrey he
exclaimed. You remember me, don't
your
yes" I said, what can do for you?
have come out of my usual course OF
practice to obey your wife's summons.
mo one can Withstand my wife" replied
Lawson, with a feeble attempt at smile
sIt is good of you to come, and l won't
keen YOU a moment longer than 1 can
help. Put another pillow under my head,
Laura, love. and then leave US
She obeyed her husbands directions
quickly and deity; Having mace nm
more comfortable, she was about to leave
the room, when a sudden thought oc-
CURED to her She went to a table, where
some medicine stood.
sIf JASPER should turn faint or weak
this is his restorative mixture" she
said, holding up bottle for me TO see
ssGive him a dose down TO the next marx
don't forget
Having thus constituted me nurse as well
as legal adviser TO the sick man, she
shut the door behind her.
II believe I'm dying" said Lawson, the
moment she had left the room. i nave
been married exactly a month. l am
deeply attached to my wife and she to
me. When my early death occurs IT will
be the result of a very strange form OF
4reachery. If I die now my wife will be
subjected to the prosecutions of man
whom ! hate and she hates. Pressure
will be brought TO bear upon her. and
in moment of weakness she may even
be induced to marry him.
Here Lawson raised himself in bed. and
a flood of crimson covered his pale face
for a brief moment.
Were such a thing to occur" he ex>
claimed, intense passion in his tone, II
believe that 1 would even come back
from the dead to prevent it. Alas, alas,
what avails a threat of this sort. Der
went, you are the only man who can help
me-
'.What can I do for your" I asked.
You are a lawyer. 1t is within your
province to use the machinery Of the law
TO prevent that which ] dread Stapleton
is so INSCRIPTIONS that only the force Of
iron bars can keep him from mischief
but there, you must listen to my story.
I will tell you what has occurred in as
few words as possible
II will listen to you attentively," I an
swered, "but take your time pray I am
in no special hurry, and.you are weak
II am dying, but have strength for
this-now listen"
he FaTI ~.