Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-12-05

did not care to think that he was a
rogue, let alone such fool as to try
10 deceive his own lawyer, but-well,
he didn't know what to think
Later in the day he wrote Il letter to
Messrs. Speaker ~ Spottley, informing
them that he was instructed by Mr..
Mark Leign, who denied all knowledge
OF Miss Stella Storey, but the letter,
Notwithstanding the clear statement il
contained, was So worded that any one
reading it would have his doubts OF
the belief of the writer in what was
said. There was something about it
to induce Messrs. Specker IL Spottley
to read between the lines" so to
speak, which they did and treated it
with the contempt they considered it
deserved by pushing forward with
their action As fast as that cumbrous
and slow moving machine, 1.-The law, "
would allow of.
In about six months time Mr.. Mark
Leigh received Il summons from Mr..
Standwell to attend at the law courts
the next morning, when the action
would come on for hearing
Great heavens y he cried. Fancy
me, Mark Leign, defendant in a
breach Of promise case, | shall be
laughed off the market -
But he must go. And 90 he did.
Arriving little before 1890, he
found Mr.. Standwell had not yet got
to the court, so he sauntered up and
down the passages until that gentle
man should appear.
While pacing to aud fro he was
accosted by very pretty and modest
looking young lady, who evidently
took him for limb of the law"
"lf you please, SIR she asked diff
IDENTIFY, "can you tell me which is the
court of queens bench p
1T believe it is that one" he re-
piled pointing to the door.
"Oh, thank you, SIR" she said in a
sweet voice. IL have to give evi.
dence, and I'm stranger"
What a remarkably nice looking,
sensible, modest sort of girl, said Mr..
Mark Leign to himself as she left
him.
And now il became clear. once for
all, that he had told Mr.. Siandwell
the truth and know nothing about the
fair Stella Storey, for an idea seized
him and he ran after his quesiioner.
Could this sweet girl be the plaintiff
in his action, whom he had depicted
to himself us Il brazen faced Mrs.
Bardell?
lie touched her gently on the arm.
Excuse me-" he said. "Might |
ask what action you have to give evi-
dence in ?"
They were at the door of the court,
upon which was exhibited list of the
causes to be tried, and she pointed to
"Sorey versus Leigh"
And are you the plaintiff y
Yves" she admitted. Il am Miss
Storey"
Il knew there must be mistake"
he cried. Il told old Standwell there
was, but | don't think he believed me.
| am Mark Leign, the defendant.
Now, don't know, YOU, and you
don't know me How comes it, then,
that YOU are suing me for breach of
promise Of marriage, young lady ?"
you, Mr.. Mark Leignr' she
exclaimed. You are not the Mr..
Mark Leigh whom | knew. and who
prom-who prom And she began
to cry.
She looked prettier than ever,
thought Mark.
Don't cry" he said gently. "Come
over to this seat and sit down. There's
been some mistake. But what it is |
can't imagine, for believe there is
only one Mark Leigh in England, and
| am he"
She sat beside him, and in answer
to his questions told him how she had
been courted and deceived.
Some fellow has been taking liber-
ties with my name,' he said. that's
certain. What was he like y
She described him.
The rascal ?" he cried. 1T was Il
fellow named Blobkins, one of my
clerks, whom | discharged for dis
honesty. am really very sorry for
you -
BY this time the solicitors and
counsel had arrived. There were Mr..
Standwell and his counsel, Mr.. Lett
myn and Mr. Pruvitt and Mr. Speck-
er and his counsel, Mr. Sportleigh,
and Mr.. Larpher.
They were about to enter the court
when Mr. Specker and Mr.. Standwell
spied their clients at the same mo-
ment
Whats this p demanded Mr..
Specker suspiciously. "Who is this
gentlemen, Miss Storey ?"
"Oh, that's the plaintiff, is it :"
cried Mr.. Standwell. That gentle
man is the defendant, Mr. Mark
Leign.'