The Princeton union., 1900-04-19

surprise me (as the land lies now) for
you to have to lie in Jail till the spring
term O court. I wouldn't say this"
added the sheriff, his eyes averted, ''if
I didn't think it is always better to be
prepared for the worst. I don't want
to give the prosecution a chance to ex-
ult over yore looks. When I told my
wife how the case stood this mornin',
she actually cried. A body never can
tell how Squire Richardson is gwine to
act; he's little wishy-washy; he tries
to imagine he belongs to the aristoc-
racy. Jest minute ago I seed i'm in
Smiths bar a-drinkin' with Capt.
Winkle. I can't imagine why that
little dude is so much concerned in
this trial. I'D bet hoss to an empty
hens nest that he was talkin' about
this case"
''He's not friend of mine," ex-
planned Ronald, despondently.
DO you mean that he is a shore
'nough enemy?" questioned Ratciiff,
with some concern.
II think he would like to see me
matter, Mr.. Ratcliff.''
"That accounts for it, then,"' the
sheriff muttered an oath to him
self. 81 wish that Richardson was
broader man; he thinks men
of Wrinkles stamp are just the thing.
However, we mustn't cross bridge
before we come to it: the truth is,
you've got the best criminal lawyer in
seven states; he hain't got much
schoolir', but he can speak like rips.
He's been scourin' the country to
catch up with Thad Williams; he
wants to corner i'm fore the state So
| licitor does. You know Solicitor Webb
would rather win case'n to eat cake
IT he gets hold of Williams fust. he'll
drill i'm so as nobody alive could
catch him in cross-questionin'. BY the
way, Mr.. Reddin' told me to say tc
you that he'd be too busy to see you
fore the trial. III come up to fetch
you down to the courtroom in plenty
o. time''
A few minutes before two O'Clock
the sheriff came after our hero. He
had little to say, and his very reti-
cence confirmed Ronald's fear that nc
new thing in his favor had turned ur
since morning. The courtroom was
crowded to the doors. The first face
that fell under the notice of the dis.
spirited prisoner was the sinister one
of Capt. Wrinkle, who sat suspiciously
near Squire Richardson's elbow; the
next was the round, good-natured one
OF Col. Hasbrooke; but Ronald hac
never seen it look quite so pale and
downcast. The thought ran through
his mind that Wrinkle had reported
the fact of his having been driven te
Ratclitt's by Evelyn. Yes, he was sure
of it now, for nothing but the dis
covery of his daughters secret would
have induced man of Hasbrooke'.
stay-at-home habits to attend court
Ronald felt thrill almost of horror
pass over him as he thought that per
haps the colonel had come with tn,
sole hope that the trial would perma
nently remove him from the path O
his daughter. The next moment h,
felt bis arm nervously clutched b,
Redding.
Come inside the railin' an set b,
me-" the lawyer whispered, his breatl
On his clients cheek. "I'll want yor
suggestions as the case proceeds
Damn i'll" he added, as if to him:el1
I'll want anything I can lay hold of
them fellers have got the best show
in they ever had ag'in an innocen
man." AS he spoke he waved hi
hand towards Mr. Webb, the state 50
licitor, handsome man of 40, with
oushy mustache and massive hal,
VINO sat only few feet ava
with his head close to that of Tha
Williams. They seemed to be talk
ing OF the case, for the solicitor wa
!; making notes with a pencil and nod
ding and smiling with evident sati,
j faction. s sz. 4. /. .sss.a...... s5