The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-12-27
The Lady In
!, the Case
BY Virginia Leila Wentz
Copyright, 1905, by Virginia Leila Wentz

"I think you'll have to retain your
knife and fork for several other
courses" said the Hon. Joseph Brew
ster in 8 matter Of fact way. 1t was
during a table d'hote dinner ON a
Rhine boat, and he addressed the stran.
ger who at first glance shortly after
| they had steamed out Of Cologne he
had decided was likable fellow.
Eyes, reallggeo'' answered the young
man. Its bit difficult to be sure of
ones etiquette on foreign Shores"
"Oh, I felt sure You were an Amer
icanp ,cgieG the elder man delightedly.
"And fspoke to you because I was
rather homesick for the voice of one
of my eauatrymen today
| Just here there twanged from across
the table the voice Of a Chicago butch
| er:
Like 'em to see 1 mean business" "
He winked to nobody in particular and
to everybody in general as he poured
into tie hand Of the surprised waiter,
interrupted in his duties, a quantity
Of small change.
The nkable stranger looked at Judge
| Brewster and murmured humOrously
as he caught the elder mans smile:
"Well, there's another one of our
countrymen. One gets bit ashamed
| Of the species though-eh?"
They went on deck together shortly
after they left CoblenZ. The younger
fellow, whose name was Gale, told
stories Of the Philippines, where he had
been for five years. He had important
business in Germany and had come
home that way-for the United States
was home to him. He had interesting
tales of the Philippine Islands, Of the
great things that had been done during
the American occupation and Of the
many things that were yet to do. He
had something to say of the wealth Of
virgin material in the country; also he
had something to say of the trials and
desolation.
Obviously, the Judge concluded, this
likable chap had experienced the trag-
edy as well as the comedy Of life. 1t
was true he had good, honest laugh
and a certain merry way of saying
things, but, also, in repose there was a
stern sadness about the mouth as of
one who has suffered overmuch. The
kindly Judge found himself wishing he
knew more about him. Perhaps he
was hunting for a leader when, as the
twilight was coming on, he remarked:
"SaS.ngo a man who's as fond of the
/ Sn b. you are should have left
tb br five years-especially as you
ID belong to the army"
laps twas for the comprehen-
| s&ssNfeason that ninety-nine men out
of hundred do anything-a woman"
,Ah, there was lady in the case"
The young fellows eyes were turned
rather gravely toward the grim, gaunt,
massive skeleton Of departed prowess,
heaped high above st. Gaur.
"Ihats Rheinfels," volunteered the
Judge. But his companion seemed not
to hear.
"You see," he breathed, half to him
self, II loved her too much to stay, SO
1 determined to bury myself some
where. The Philippines were as good
as any other place."
why you couldn't stayY
"She was married to a drunken
wretch who ought to have been horse
whipped all over the states. He gam
bled; he raced; he made her life un-
bearable"
''How hard that must have been for
you! And she loved your
The judge spoke with genuine sym
pathy. 1t was the sort of night which
induces conference.-the peaceful river,
the little sleepy village, the quiet glid-
ing Of the boat.
Yes, she loved me. 1t was my
knowledge of that which in the end
gave me the pluck to tear myself away.
Out there in the Philippines 1 don't
suppose there's been an hour in all
these five years that I've forgotten it.
Why"-his firm, manly voice broke a
little-'if 1 hadn't remembered that
she was still loving me, praying for
me, believing in me, life would not
have been possible, that's all!'
"Where is she now?" asked the judge
at last, breaking long silence.
"She's at Wiesbaden just at present.
She's spending the season there with
her younger sister, who's been perfect
ing herself in music-in Munich.
could tell you tales that would make
even a heart of stone love her-tales Of
her devotion to Rose CHATS her little
sister,, of the sacrifices she has en-
dured, the deprivations she has under
gone, in order that Rose might have
the very best musical education. Oh,
l swear she's a woman in mlllion!'
The judge noticed-he could not help
but notice-that his young friends deep
chest was swelling deeply with unaf-
fected pride, that his eyes were fash
ing and that a ruddy color had crept
into the brown Of his chin. "By Jove,
he's a handsome chapY' he commented
to himself.
Gale consulted his watch.
"Just think" he said as he slipped
it into his pocket again, Gin a few hours
I shall see her! We're due at Biebrich
at $50, and then Wiesbadenw He
was like boy in his fresh gladness.
But" said the judge slowly, trying
to get into the spirit Of the thing, "you
see, you didn't tell me- Her husband
has died, has he, and it's all plain sail
ing at last?"
"Died?" All the boyishness went out
of Gale. The stern sadness about his
mouth was plainly perceptible. mo,
he hasn't died, and she hasn't got
divorce but we're going to play at tho
old, old game Of pretending We're
going to pretend that that confounded
rake is dead, and we're going to begin
our lives afreSh."
The judge stroked his chin in way
that meant he was seriously troubled.
All the clerks in his offices knew that
sign, but it conveyed nothing whatever
to Gale.
Eyes, and next month we're going
back to the States together. We"-
''Is that quite fair to the woman, do