The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-31

railing, for the courtroom was soon crowd
ed. Laura looked about her with an in
terested glance. Then she suddenly
started. Her friend the short man wa.
coming briskly down the aisle. Was II
the same man? His thick hair was
brushed back from his forehead, his eye
cleaned, he walked with quick elastic
step. Yet 1t certainly was the man of the
map.
Laura twitched Harry's sleeve.
"Who Is that man just seating himself
at the table," she whispered.
THAT? Why, that's John Stetson.
Haven't you seen him before? That's
funny. He's moved into our block, you
know. and his Offices are just at the other
end Of the hall on our floor. Amt he a
corker? tell YOU" said Barry oracular-
ly, IF old Judge Banning is at the head
of the local bar John Stetson Is mighty
close second"
1t was a wonderful plea that John
Stetson made that morning. Clear, con-
else, logical, witty, sarcastic, indignant,
passionate. The little man seemed to
grow as he faced the jury. And what
voice and what gestures!
A buzz ran through the courtroom as
he finished, and Laura hurried Barry
from the room. 1t was luncheon time,
but she walked amlessly about the
streets during her half hour incoming. She
had no thought Of luncheon. Then she
went back to her desk, but she couldn't
work. She was nervous and unstrung,
and she felt like crying
Along toward the middle of the after
noon Barry put his head in the door.
Thought you might like to know that
John Stetson won his case" he said.
Jury wasn't out but 20 minutes. John'll
get ten thousand out Of 1t IL he gets q
cent"
1t was close to o'clock when another
caller filled the doorway. This time II
was the man whom she half feared
would come.
"Oh," she cried. with fiery blush. II
am so humiliatedw
Nonsense" he cheerily said.
"But heard that splendid speechw
Il saw you there" be said.
"You saw meW
Eyes, lin fact, knew you would be
there"
"You knewW
Eyes. You remember you said you felt
an interest in my welfare, and was con-
ceited enough to ask Drummond to send
you over to the courtroom" Laura bur-
led her blushing face In her hands.
There, there, you have nothing to re-
proach yourself with. wasn't quite fair
and above board In the matter. The trou-
Bile seems to be that when man whose
nose has been kept to the grindstone all
his life relaxes little, he is apt to over
do it. Perhaps I'm natural ider, after
all"
Laura looked up.
And Our New Possessions?'" she
shyly asked.
Something Of a pretense," said the
stout man, with a smile He sat down
beside her desk. He was evidently a lit
tie embarrassed.
Let me tell you all about It," he said.
II am 80 years old and never had n play
spell. It's high time, you see, for me to
begin. A year or two more and might
forget how. Well, one day l saw you.
Perhaps you don't believe in affinities.
do I'm dry old lawyer, but I've never
lost my boyhoods ideal of womanhood. l
determined to become acquainted with
you. l generally succeed In what I'M
dertake.' He paused moment. Laura
was looking out Of the window He went
on in lower voice. but that New Pos.
sessions idea wasn't entirely fraud
You see, 1t is well to get acquainted with
the possessions you covet before any al
lance Is suggested. And then, too, there
must be an equal willingness on the part
Of both parties to the proposed alliance.
Besides this He paused abruptly.
Miss Barton's shoulders were moving
suspiciously. She was laughing at his
argument.
John Stetson arose to bis feet. He
looked toward the door. Laura's hat and
cape caught his eye. He took them from
the hooks and came back to the desk.
Here, Laura Barton" he briskly said,
its high time you started home" She
meekly arose and faced him. He put the
cape about her shoulders and offered her
the hat. AS she raised it in both hands to
her head he suddenly added: 1--WE chang
ed my mind about that possessions the
DRY. l guess the old way is the best. II
you have the power step right up and
take possession Of what you want by |
force Of arms"
Then he put his arm about her and |
kissed her.-W. r. Rose in Cleveland
Plain Dealer