Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-08-06
I'm not afraid Of court, and when the
jury hears what she really is"

appearance, and leave the rest to me-
MY dear Governor" interrupted
Bob, who had accompanied him, "be
fair to the girl. l didn't think Muriel
would have done it; but she's perfectly
straight-I'd stake my life on it."
Nonsense, Bob! You're a fool, and
you'd better stay abroad till the af-
fairs over I'll attend to it. I'll show
her how to fight" The Earl's eyes
cleaned. Well teach her, won't we,
Ponder, what litigation means?" Then
he told a lengthy, stale tale of his s,.c-
cessful lawsuit about right-of-way-a
success which added a new mortgage
to the family collection.
Its all very WELL" said Mr.. Ponder,
but that was %chancery, this is COM
mon law. I'm sure we should make
a mess of it. One of my articled clerks
has set up in business in Bedford Row;
he's a smart fellow. and will fight hard,
n just suit you.'
Bob went off to the Riviera, and lost
all the money his father gave him.
During his absence the old gentleman
employed a detective-a fellow with
splendid imagination, but very poor
powers of observation-and the Skin
mishing was done under the Earl's
supervision. Bob was to have staid
away till after the trial; however, an
urgent letter from q club friend of
his father brought him home in a hurry.
He arrived in the evening, and, going
to the Carlton, learned hat the ease
was in the list for next day. When
he reached Belgravc Square and was
shown into the library he found his
father with Mr.. Hicks, his Bedford Row
solicitor. There was a row going on
at a high pitch.
pray tell your father he must set
tie" said Mr.. Hicks.
Settle be damned!' interrupted the
old boy.
Settle, I say" rejoined the solicitor.
You see, Mr.. Martindale, Sir Edward
says he won't cross-eXamine the plain
tiff as to her character. He suggests
that the material is absurd. and he
does not believe a word Of the detect
ives story-he says he'd sooner return
the brief"
"And the check"' gasped the Earl.
"Ies, and the check. He says there's
no decent defense, and he won't try
to support the detectives tissue Of lies.
Moreover. he insists that if he did he'd
fail, and the damages and disgrace
would be awful"
What does it matter to me:' shouted
thu ola rnpt1oy,nv kI+s ma $780, --
it's my sons"
That's a bit Steep" observed the
son.
MY retainer is from you, my lord"
urged Mr.. Hicks.
80, III pay your COMPOUNDED costs,
but where will they get their damages
FROM
Bob groaned.
"They've told me they'll make him
bankrupt" replied Mr.. Hicks, land his
discharge will be suspended for two
years at least
"What has that to do with me-" said
the Earl grimly.
Bob interposed: Lord Salisbury has
many claims on his patronage, and in
my bankruptcy he'd find a decent ex-
cuse for leaving me out in the cold"
The Earl had no govt, but he man
aged without its help to use very Wig
orous language concerning sons, solicit
ors. advocates, and actresses.
"They will take 5000 for damages.
with a full apology and withdrawal in
open court" said Mr.. Hicks, land $500
for costs"
"An apology! A withdrawalw
"A withdrawal of all the charges
on the record"
Next day, to the infinite disgust of
the reporters and the crowded court,
Sir Edward, in a graceful speech, made
an apology Of the most ample char
acter, withdrew all i%mputations, and
announced that $1,000 would be paid as
compensation for the injury to the lady,
together with her costs.
The Morning Post, on the morrow.
announced that the Earl Of Hexam had
gone to Buxton.
When the honorable Robert, a day
later, received a letter from Muriel,
| saying she was most anxious to see
him, he took a cab to Brompton Cres-
cent, and grew more and more per-
picked every inch Of the way.
Miss Muriel, looking very neat. nat
ty, handsome, and %piquant. with a pro-
digious glow of life IN her eyes, shook
hands with him warmly and made him
sit down on the sofa by her side. For a
quarter Of an hour she stimulated his
curiosity by talking about nothing in
particular. AT last his patience broke
down.
Look here, Ella" he said %brusquely,
"stow the cackle and come to cues.
I'm delighted to see you, and don't
bear malice; but what on earth put it
into your pretty head to send for me?''
She laughed loud, long. and heartily
80 loud, long, and heartily that at last
he laughed with her.
well, you are q gooser' she said.
II know it." he answered. II dread
| Michaelmas."
II think your brain is developing:
you're growing witty. O. you haven't
got there yet"
"Well, but"