The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-12-31

consideration. 1t was all so seemly
so reasonable The father respected
his opinions, the mother reyered his
abilities; why should not their only
child combine such respect and rever.
ence into what would nicely meet his
conception of wifely love?
Reuben Oatfeld, then, was not al nj
disturbed because Clara was Indifferent
and silent during the dinner. She was
young and strange, and unconscious OF
her charm-well, let her remain in
such secure ignorance :lntil he should
be pleased to moderately instruct her.
Meanwhile, since his host and hostess
were such open-eyed and eager listen
ers: the least he could do was to talk
and talk he did of matters and things
in general, but all converging to one
important particular, himself And
Clara hardened as Ole may harken to
the tempest, thankful to be out of it,
until something was dashed against
the window of her heart demanding
anxious and tremulous attention.
"Oh, yes" her father was saying.
"You lawyers do work hard, and no
mistake. Digging you call it? Well
I've been some on digging myself.
But you don't ever run risks that can
see. There's retainer always to the
fore, and costs come dangling after, ha,
ha! You never strike blind lead, nor
water, nor fire damp, nor cavings-in-"
"We are liable, though, to fortuit-
GUS and vexatious happenings inter-
rupted Oatfield, loftily. "And, of
course. when such do occur, the conse-
quenccs are most farreaching and de-
leterious. Why, this very current
month, papers of vital Importance, alb
stracts, original affidavits, documentary
exhibits, and my own draft of a brief,
were destroyed through the criminal
carelessness, to speak mildly, of 4
young man whom | trusted Ana
Mr. Oatlield sighed
Then it was that the window of
Clara's heart was stricken, and her in
tense impulses aroused. She rose from
the table and dragging her chair after
| her, came close to the lawyers side
She lent her head on her hand, and
looked up into his face 'How inter
| esting!" she murmured ''Tell me all
about it, do!'
Mr.. Oatfield hemmed and hawed, and
puffed out his stocky chest, and
stroked his demure whiskcrs. Verify,
any labor on his part would be super
erogation-a title on which he was con-
sidered an authority, by the way. He
had but to whistle, and this maid would
come to him, and how bravely he could
whistle on his own familiar plantation!
"My dear young lady" he began.
Nothing could afford me greater
pleasure. l regard your interest in
the law as-er-ha-an omen of all-
spiciousness. You must know, then,
that for year or more, this Howard
Brummell has been my clerk, one of
I'm, I mean, and a very ordinary one,
toe. But have kept him along out
OF charity, l may say. Such consider
ations, however, may become SO exag-
gerated as to be positively dangerous
to the common veal. A fortnight
since, I was forced to discard him, bag
and baggage, and | guess he is still
looking for storage-he, he! l had
sent him with those papers to which |
have referred to certain attorneys who
have intervined in the matter, whose
interests are not adverse to those which
represent. Indeed, if my theory of
the case shall prove authoritative, they
must share in my success. Well, in
an hour Or so, he returned, livid of
countenancc, disordered of garb, be-
| wildered of mind. | will not say that
he had been drinking, for could not
detect t'-Mr Oatfield slipped his wine
-"but there are other allurring pols-
ons, and he was not himself Those in
valuable papers were gone From his
incoherence, l could only CLEAN one
fact clearly-that they were destroyed.
He mumbled something about accident
and an injury to himself; but his story
was palpable absurdity. Hurt on tie
elevated railway! Who ever heard cf
such thing? | never was, nor yor,
Mr.. Manley, nor you, my good lady,
I'll be bound.
"The fact is that public safety is so
guarded by the company that it and
danger are two parallel INES That new
er meet, (Mr. Oatteld sometimes repre-
sented the corporation professionally,
and had used this metaphor effectativ,-
ly.) At all events Mr.. Howard Brum-
nell had done all the damage | could
stand 50 | dismissed him, much to h.s
discomtit, | imagine, for men who have
rooms in the fremont Building need
pretty liberal employers. I'm afraid
he'll find this winter very cold one
Miss Clara, but what else could | do:
I'm patient man, but when once put
my foot t's immovable."
"What did you say was the title OF
that case? asked Clara quietly.
"Ah no wonder you ask. Its &
cause celebre | assure You. 'Tetcltas