The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-07-22
DOROTHY.
BY JAMES WORKMAN.

turning to pile OF papers that lay on
the table at his elbow. Yet even as
he watched the fiickering fire and
puffed dreamily at his cigar, luxurlat-
ing in a little relaxation after hard
days work in a Close and crowded
court, his mind was busy formulating
the scathing sentences In which he
intended to sum up n case that had
been tried that day. There could be no
doubt as TO the guilt of the prisoner,
who had been accused of q most impu-
dent fraud, and though it was first
offence. the Judge intended to pass the
severest sentence which the law al
lowed.
The judge was no believer In short
sentences. He regarded leniency to
criminal as an offence against socie-
ty-a direct encouragement to those
who hesitated ON the brink Of vicious
courses, and were only restrained by
fear of punishment. The well-mean-
ing people who got up petitions to miu-
gate the sentence upon justly con-
victed thief or murderer were, in his
eyes, guilty of a mawkish sentimental
ity. There was no trace of weakness
or effeminancy in his own face, with
its grizzled eyebrows, somewhat cold
gray eyes, thin lips and massive chin.
He was a just man, just to the split
ting of q hair, austere and unemotion-
al.
He had conducted the trial with the
most scrupulous impartiality, but now
that verdict Of guilty was a fore
gone conclusion, he determined to
make an example of one who had so
shamefully abused the confidence
placed in him.
Stated briefly. the situation was as
follows: The prisoner, Arthur Max
well, was cashier to a firm of solicit
ors, Messrs. Lightbody and Dufton.
The only surviving partner of the orig
inal firm, Mr. Lightbody, had recently
died, leaving the business to his
nephew. Thomas Faulkner. Faulkner
accused Arthur Maxwell of having en-
bezzled sum Of two hundred and fifty
pounds. Maxwell admitted having
taken the money, but positively as.
serted that it had been presented to
him as a free gift by Mr.. Lightbody.
Unfortunately for the prisoner, the let
ter which he had stated had accompan-
led the check could not be produced,
and Faulkner. supported by the evil
dence Of several well-known experts,
declared the signature on the check
to be forgery When the check-book
was examined the counterfoil was dis
covered to be blank. The prisoner
asserted that Mr.. Lightbody himself
had taken out blank check and had
filled it up and signed it at his private
residence. He could. however, produce
no proof of this assertion, and all the
evidence available was opposed to his
unsupported statement.
arthur Maxwell" soliloquized the
Judge, you have been convicted on
evidence that leaves no shadow of a
doubt of your guilt of a crime which
1 must characterize as one of the bas-
est"
The Gathering OF voices in the hall
brought the soliloquy to an abrupt con-
clusion. The judge required absolute
silence and solitude when he was en-
gagged in study, and the servants, who
stood in considerable awe of him, were
extremely careful to prevent the least
disturbance taking place within ear
shot Of his sanctum. He jerked the
bell impatiently, intending to give a
good wigging to those responsible for
the disturbance. But the door was
thrown open by his daughter Mabel,
a pretty girl of twelve. who was evil
IDENTIFY in state of breathless excite.
ment.
20 papa" she exclaimed, "here's
such queer little object wants to see
you. Please let her come in."
Before the judge could demonstrate,
little child, a rosy-faced girl Of be-
tween five and six, in a red hood and
cloak, hugging black puppy under
her arm and brown paper parcel un-
der the other, trotted briskly into the
room. The judge rose to his feet with
an expression which caused his daugh.
ter to vanish with remarkable celebrity
what on earth are you doing here
child?" he asked irritably what can
you possibly want with me?' She re-
manned silent, staring at him with
round, frightened eyes Come, come
can't you find your tongue, little girl?'
he asked more gently. "What Is 1t you
wan& with me?'
IF you please she said timidly, 81
have brought you Tommy"
Tommy was clearly the fat puppy
for as she bent her face toward him he
wagged mis- tail and promptly licked
the end Of her nose.
"I've brOughted you other things as
well" she said, opening the brown pa
per parcel and revealing a doll with a
very beautiful complexion, large blue
eyes and hair of the purest gold, di
minutive NOahs ark, a white pig, O
woolly sheep, case Of crayons, a pen
holder broken-bladed knife, small
paint box, a picture book or two, and
what bore some faint resemblance to Q
number Of water-color sketches. She
seemed particularly proud Of the last
named