Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-05-09

only stood carelessly against the open
door, he hid from sight the imposing
shiugle, "Doris Woodford, Attorney
at-Law," which was that young wom-
ans especial pride.
"Come in, Mr.. Watt" she said
resignedly; thankful at last that the
swinging door would close behind
them, and so shut out the result of
their interview from the gaze of the
curious.
He obeyed her, carrying his whole
length across the little Office in one
big step. Doris pointed to a chair,
while she leaned back in her own.
He took it, farmer fashion, legs astride,
his gaunt arms folded over the back,
his watery blue eyes full on the bloom
ing face in front of him.
"Well, he reiterated, his leathery
countenance wrinkling into something
like righteousness, "what be the ver-
dict of the court-that's the lawyers
term, amt it, Miss Doris? Though
it pears to me that another kind of
courtin' would likelier come your way.
Ha, hal" Farmer Watt exploded with
laughter, and slapped his thigh in
huge enjoyment, while Doris bit her
lip angrily, and pulled an aggressive
brown lock until her head ached.
''Please be BRIEF" she said with
dignity, 81 am very busy to-day. No
doubt you have considered the matter
and will allow me to take the case on
my own terms"
"Oh, come.now, not too fast; I ain t
thinkin' but what you're in the right,
l own to that; but, on the other hand,
I'm riskin' purity considerable in fac
in the law behind toddler like you.
1 know L amt got much of a case--''
"Not the ghost of one," said Doris,
decisively.
"Well, all the same, I amt goin' to
pay that money to Widder Barnes.
Her COW had no business in my pas
ture; [ said I'd shoot her, and l done
it. Now, if you want the case, Jest
for practice, take it, or leave it, as
you like, faint none of my business.
I'll put up ten dollars on the Job; it's
all I'm wiliin' to pay. OF course, if
the law sits on me an makes me hand
out the cash to Widder Barnes. it fol-
lows that you don't get none. See?
[ can't spend but 'tenner' on this
concern, whichever way you fix it..
(which means, if don't win my
case L receive nothing" observed
Doris, in her chilliest tones.
"That's about it. You must take
your risks, too. But / was thinkin'
and so L said to my old woman this
very morning, it would be good
thing for you to come for'ard and
make your bow before them big guns,
even If you didn't go off no louder
than firecracker; you'd have your
sizzle and bang, anyhow, through my
helpin'."
"You are very kind" said Doris,
sarcastically.
Don't mention it. The pint is,
will you take it or no?"
eyes; for the glory" with a grim
smile.
"That's right, that's right" he said
genially, uncoiling himself from about
the chair. ''It won't come off, that
case won't, till next week, and as, I
dessay, you're not too busy, you'll
have time to look it up. Good morn
in"
After he had slouched away, Doris
rose with swift. sudden movement,
and locked the door; then she flung
herself into her chair, leaned both
/ arms upon her desk, rested her pretty
chin upon her upturned palms, and
lost herself in gloomy meditation.
Was it for this that she had studied
I and won her laurels, to defend c
! niggardly farmer on the wrong side oi
| the case? 1t was mean, contemplate
deed, the shooting of the poor widows
( COW, which had inadvertently strayed
into a disused pasture, and she haG
expressed her opinion pretty freely
half hoping that Mrs. Barnes would
employ her to recover damages; but
women lawyers were as yet rarity il
her native town, and Mrs. Barnes haG
held to the beaten track, securing
Howard Peyton, as Doris feared she
would.
Now this young man was eager tc
embrace the law, in the person of Mis-.
, Doris Woodford, and even went SO fal
as to hint at the rendering up of thi.
case into her very capable hands; bu
Mrs. Barnes set her broad foot fla
upon such an idea, and Doris hersel
recoiled in high dudgeon.
"Think of It'll" she said to her sym
pathizing family, latter the kindness
I've shown to that hateful old woman
I wouldn't take her case if she were t.
beg me on her bended knees"
But Mrs. Barnes entertained no sucl
abiect notion; on the contrary, Farme
Watt brought his eloquence to bea
upon the irate young professional, ant
! the bargain was concluded in the man
nsr Just set forth.