Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-30

is that he says?" pausing as the judge
addressed few terse sentences to the
attorneys in the case before him. He
limits them to five minutes apiece for
their closing arguments!-that's bust
ness." in a tone of cordial approval.
'FNo shilly-shally nonsense about him.
] believe there is not a judge on the
bench in Colorado who is his equal in
all-around ability. He ought to be made
Encouragement"
'It is limited that he is rather of that
opinion himself" returned Bartels, iln
patiently. Carlton had made a noble
effort to gain more than the allotted
five minutes, but the judge was mex
orable. Too much time already had
been consumed on the case. he CURLY
said. Other parties were waiting, par
ties from a distance who might be put
to serious inconvenience by delay; he
felt himself obliged to hasten matters.
That's businessi" declared Mr.. Criley
again, his pale blue eyes beaming sat
isfaetion. But, by the way, Mr.. Bar
tells, is your client present | am not sure
that 1 know the gentleman even by
sight
s.He's not here" answered Bartels,
shortly.
'Do you mean that he has not yet ar
rived?'' the tone expressing the most
profound establishment. But of course
he will be in presently. 1t will make no
difference in opening the case"
81 am afraid it will make all the diff
ference in the world" sharply retorted
the attorney for the delinquent plain
tiff. Mr.. Criley was punctiliously mind
full of the Biblical injunction in respect
to soft answers, but without always
achieving the proper Biblical result. So
far from turning away wrath, his whin-
ing gentleneSS always reused in Donald
Bartels fever of antagonism. IF he
does not get here before the case is
called, 1 shall, of course ask for con-
tinuance."
But, my dear sir, that will worl;
great hardship to u.s." protested the
other, almost forgetting to be sancti
monious in the excitement of this idea.
Here is my client come on from New
York especially for this case; here an:
L up from Denver at cost of great per-
sonal inconvenience: here are our wit
nesses, ready and waiting. We are pre-
pared to GO on with the trial, and shall
certainly protest against any delay"
''And I shall most certainly protest
against trying the case until I am given
time to find out what has befallen
my client!'' returned Bartels, holly.
IF parties interested in keeping him
from appearing in court have been up
to any monkey business"
ooh, my dear, dear sir!" interrupted
Crily, in tone of righteous grief and
protest.
The closing words had been spoken
in the case before the court, and with
an air of relief the jury was filing out
of the room. Bartels' clerk appeared
again, brea thlessly reckoning him one
side.
I've just got onto a man from Tom
town who says he saw Neil drinking
beer at the Busted Prospector saloon
early last evening"" he hurriedly eN-
planned. You don't suppose"
mo, I DON'T" retorted Bartels,
angrily. Neil is gentleman. He may
have drunk n glass of beer last even
ing, but can swear that he did not take
enough to keep him away from court to-
day. Of course, there's a possibility
that the beer may have been doctored,
though. Was Brigham drinking with
him ?''
"Oh, Brigham-no; he hit the road
for somewhere yesterday morning.
Gave it out cold that he was going to
Alaska--which makes it more than like
ly that he's bound for Mexico"
The pair were joined by Carlton, alert
and anxious. what does it mean? ' he
excitedly demanded. where's Neil?"
'Simply non est; and I'm afraid II
means that there's the devil to pay"
Bartels gloomily explained.
Parties concerned in the last suit
drifted away in groups of twos and
threes, some to sit dejectedly whisper
ing together in the back of the room.
others to nervously pace the corridor
outside until the verdict should be
known. Certain of the loungers in the
chairs allotted to visitors, surmising
that no salacious details need be looked
for in the Mascot-Grubstake case, lazily
betook themselves elsewhere in search
of fresh excitement; while certain 9th
ers, perceiviDg Neil's detection, and now
comprehending the pressing need Of his
presence, hurried outside to stare up
the street in fruitless quest of him, in
terestedly discussing among themselves
what it might mean. The judge leaned
down ait one side of his desk to discuss
some matter with pretty typewriter
girl who had come out of an inner room.
He had the strong, ruddy physique of
one who enjoys good appetite and
sound digestion, the somewhat sensual
lines of his mouth softened by heavy.
iron-gray mustache, to which his bar
her had impaired a youthful curl at the
ends. y deep dimple was in his chin,
and as he smiled-and he smiled Il good
deal in his talk with the pretty type
writer-there appeared a dimple to
match in either cheek. He was man
whom the majority of women would
have admired. while few men would