The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-01-18
LOVED | NOT HONOR MORE. >
By ELIZABETH c. oARDozA

t.
The man aud woman that paced
slowly side by side up and down the
long, dim hotel corridors might have
seemed 70 the thoughtless observer a
/ typical pair Of lovers. In reality she
was seeking to pervert, and he to main
tain, the administration Of the law.
She was acting the part that her sex is
supposed to have acted toward his
from the days Of Eve. With an
absolute single-mindedness and loyalty
/ of purpose that went further to excul-
pate her than the plea of ignorance
could have done, she was knowingly
and deliberately seeking to turn from
the way of justice the steps of her
companion. Arlfully, insinuatingly,
she held before his eyes the rosy apple
OF promise, prize so alluring that the
man beside her felt his head swim and
his sense grow dazzled at the mere ris-
ing thought.
She had begun with excessive subtle
ty, made wise by her great need. Only
the man b, side her was capable Of
granting her this boon. To her wom-
ans prejudiced vision it was beyond
reason that he should remain unmoy-
ed. If there was any power 10 aid her
in her glance, her smiles, her tears, if
need should be she was ready to make
ruthless use Of them.
"Do you think, Judge Tresham," she
said, ''that the law is always right?
Don't you believe am sure l do
that sometimes in enforcing the exact
letter Of the law one may commit a
great injustiee?n She paused, await
ing her unsuspecting adversary's next
move; she was too cautious 10 overstep
/ her mark.
"If you mean in the matter Of cir
cumstantial evidence, Miss BOnifaee,"
said Roger Tresham, Il quite agree
with you" He Redeemed little, for
any reference to the law was a pain he
would willingly have spared her.
"N-no, said the girl, slowly, IL
wasn't thinking of that. was think
ing that the law doesn't seem to have
any heart. II doesn't seem to take
cognhance of misfortune, of-oh,
Judge Tresham-" She broke of with
a catch in her breath dangerously near
to a sob.
Tresham was thrilled and warmed
by the intimacy Of her appeal at the
same time that he was struck with hOr-
ror at his own impossible predicament.
Judge Treshamn-she had regained
her composure-''will you let me speak
of my poor fathers trouble? You
know all about it, aud it will be such
comfort. Judge Tresham, is the law
really without pity ~
God forgive me p cried the man be-
side her; IL cannot listen; cannot
help or comfort you. Miss Bonifaee,
if things had been otherwise I-yOa
and 1, perhaps; but now, as it is"
He stopped helplessly and made de-
spairing gesture. But joyce Boniface
met his troubled eyes with her own
blue unabashed ones.
Even as things are, Roger" she
murmured, sit may not be altogether
hopeless. There must be mercy some
where, even in the law, aud surely in
the lawyers. Think, Roger, how much
l should owe you if"
Tresham had gone white to the lips
his breath came in gasps. Ten minutes
ago he would indignantly have repudi-
afed the idea that she could stoOp to
influence him by 50 much as a feathers
weight upon one side or the other, far
less to bribe him with the giittering
promise Of what he most desired. Ae
eustomed TO viewing things with the
eyes Of lawyer aud jIrist, he had
omitted 10 take into account the nat
ural predudices, emotions and faiIings
Of poor, weak human nature. He
shrank before the thing he knew she
was about to utter.
ado not say it, Joyce" he cried; do
not say it?"
She had fAltered little at his look
Of horror. "Have I said anything 50
terrible, then?v she asked, almost
proudly. as it crime to help ones
/ father?p
"Hlsl," said Treshan; Eyes. Yoa
are child; yoa cannot know what you
are doing. Your father"
She dropped his arm "My father
knows nothing of this" she said,
haughtily. "No doubt he would be
angry if he knew that bad conde-
seended TO beg for him. No doubt he
will be honorably acquitted without
your help Then she sank into a
chair, laid her head against her arm
aud quietly wept.
Tfeshan laid a gentle hand upon her
shoulder. "You must not think 1 don't
pity you, - he said, softly; "but, indeed
/ too am to be pitied. 1 am in terri
ble position. When we came here some
few weeks ago, you with your unhappy
father, and l his luckless judge, all
three Of US snatehing at the legal de-
| laws to rest in mind and body; when
met you. and saw how lovely you
were, and knew, ss-God help me =
knew soon enough that your smile
OF frown was the only bar at which l
trembled, why, ! should have been
brave for you and for me, | should
have put blythe temptation for US both,
| should have fled before you"
He paused, but the girl gave no sign;
AMI he went on, brokeniy: "Do you
think it is only you that suifer9 Dl
you think il il nothing TO me TO see