Evening journal., 1905-04-11
HER FIRST CASE

Copyright 1904. by T. C. McClurel
"But YOU have known me less than
a month";" protested Alice, t-sough IL
was evident from her tones that she
did not make the statement in a spirit
Of accusation.
1T is my misfortune" pleaded How
ell. 1T is less than three months since
first saw you"
Il said a month" she insisted.
"And l three" he finishes of.
She stamped her tiny foot
"How could you have known me two
months longer than have known
you?"
Il did not say known" he corrected.
Il .aid seen" D."
Three months ago you were in Den
YER" she protested.
Il came as quickly as I could" he
pleaded.
But how could you have seen me in
Denver" she persisted, "whSn was
in New York all the time?"
The eyes of love are quick and see
far he quoted
Alice tiptilted her nose delightfully."-.
"In that case" she said, with a saucy
courtesy. Il beg to decline. 1t would
be distressing to have for a husband a
man who could see as far as that"
He caught her hand and drew her
down beside him
Its not a time for jesting. little
woman" he urged. II could III afford
this month in paradise. and tomorrow
l must go back to-
ITO Denver" she completed for him
in the tone of one who mentions quite
another place.
"To Denver" he repeated. with the
accents of one who speaks of home
II want to take back with me the
promise If not the person Of the sweet
est little woman in all these United
States"
For a moment the love light flashed
into her eyes, but the spirit of mis-
chief gained the mastery.
Il think" she said. with an extra
judicial air. that the plaintiff has moi
fully pleaded his case"
1.-THE defendant pleads guilty to hav
ing fallen in love"
"You are the plaintiff" she corrected
"The defendant" he declared stout
ly.
"The plaintiff" she insisted.
'I'll be both or l won't play"
Cry baby" she commented. sur
rendering go ahead"
Il plead guilty and await sentence,
he suggested.
"Plea refusedv' she cried. "The cour
will appoint a lawyer to plead for you
I'll be the lawyer" she finished. witt
a sudden lapse from her judicial dig
nifty.
"If your honor pleases," she began
coming round from the other side o
| the library table, "the defendant, Will
admitting his offense, pleads no
guilty"
Il admit no offense," he protested.
IF you don't let your lawyer do tn
talking I'll get the judge to hang you,
she threatened severely.
"Pleads not guilty. with extenuatin
circumstances. You see. your honol
this is his first visit east in some year
and seeing handsomer young wome
than they have in Denver
"One more adorable young woman,
he protested.
THAN they have in Denver" sh
went on, ignoring his interruption, "h
foolishly lost his head. You see, you
honor, he had no idea that there wer
such attractive young women as thOs
who thrOng the streets of our cit
and"-
Il came east especially because
knew you were here" be interposed
She danced around to the other sid
of the table "The court will examir
the prisoner" she declared. HE hs
asserted that he came east because l
had knowledge Of the presence of IL
prosecutor How was that informatic
acQulredT.
He drew from an inside pocket
leather pocket photograph case al
handed it TO her.
She opened it curiously and gave
little cry. How did you get this?" 81
demanded. forgetting the game 81
was playing.
Jack Osborne painted 1t on an e
T. velope one night just to show me VIII
] he could do from memory, and I-er-
came on to see what his memory WI
) worth"
She glanced curiously at the daln
{ water color her artist cousin had mad
= 1t was wonderfully accurate and tn
to life.
Il shall mark this exhibit A." she a
nounced. "Now what have you TO s,
in your defensoT'
Your honor" he began gravely,
! can say only that the sole witness WI
! can prove my offense is my lawyer.
] mans wife cannot testify against hll
and it is her duty as a good lawyer
marry me. love her dearly, and ev
since I saw that envelope she has fll'
{ my thoughts await my counsers a
swer.
Il think" said the counsel tenderl
'that l should win my 0rst case
least" And she came around the tai
again to be infolded in his strong arm
HARRISON DUPREE
UuHer The annie Tree