Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-06-29
In the Matter
OF Elizabeth
Copyright, 1904, by ). I. Stern
BY ). L. STERN

almost side by side, ana neltheF ol
them had learned of the others exist
ence Three hundred feet of metropoli-
tan space and several hundred thou
sand dollars separated them socially
and completely. The elder Miss Lang
ham resided near the middle of the
block in a plutOc-atic white stone man
sion At the corner of the same street
in a modest fat house lived the other
Elizabeth
Though neither of them was aware
of the circumstances, these two pos
sessed one link in common. His par
ents knew him as James Carruthers.
His clients and professional friends
called him Jack, the cotfhselOr. Miss
Langham knew him as her oldest and.
he hoped, her best friend. Elizabeth
Langham knew him as her employer.
Elizabeth Langhan. often wondered
that Jim had selected her from two
dozen applicants for the position of ste
nographer in his legal establishment.
A callow graduate from business col
lege. she had hardly hoped to gain ac-
ceptance over a score of experienced
typists The true reasOn-her name
she never guessed. Still Jim had no
reason TO regret his choice. Miss Eliza
beth was neat, pretty and bright. Jim
dictated 10 her daily, and she tran
scribed without an error
Not 50 Miss Langham, the focus Of
fifty bachelor aspirations Jim tried
dictation there only once.
Mr. Carruthers," said Miss Langham
coldly, "you are taking "A mean advan-
tage of our friendship. You have no
right to criticise my other friends.
am proud to number Judge Newton
among my friends"
But he's fifty If he's a day." Jim
persisted
80 shall you be- Mr.. Carruthers-
some day. Good night"
There were tears after Jim had taken
his departure, but that Jim did not
know lie did know, however, that
Miss Langham had dismissed him, and
he sorrowed accordingly.
Its that fellow, Colonel Newton" !"
he mused. "Since they've elected him
a judge Elizabeth has been indiffer-
ent 10 me. Mrs. Judge Newton evi-
dently sounds better to her young
ears than plain Mrs. Jimmy .Carruth-
ers." So he houndered homeward in
the slush OF a winter evening and
nursed his first great sorrow.
Sorrow maketh sympathizer.
Jimmy. blue and hopeless, became hu-
manitarian in Il week. One morning
when his stenogrupher, Miss Eliza
beth, showed him n court summons
which had been served upon her, de-
forthwith or suffer the entry of judg-
ment for that amount Jimmy simply
radiated consolation. "Who Is this
Nine. Nellie who IS suing you?'
II never heard of her" was the re-
sponse.
Jim scanned the papers closely.
Mime. Nellie" he said after he had
finished, "seems TO be the trade name
OF a being whose Christian appellation
is Michael O'Malley. He says you
ordered one blue dress of the value of
$3.50. He swears that you have re-
fused TO accept 1t. and he sues accord
ingly."
There must be some mistake.
never ordered dress one-fourth as
expensive as that Nor have 1 ever
laid eyes on Nine. Nellie"
where do you live?" he inquired.
Her reply astonished him. mo. -
Sixth avenue"
''Is that near Forty-seventh street"
1T is on the corner. The side street
is very fashionable This summons
must be intended for some wealthy
woman near by who doesn't pay her
bills"
When Jim saw that the papers were
signed In the name Of the Hon.
William Newton, justice, his mind
was made up. He tod his secretary
TO have no fear. He was happy TO
show his appreciation Of her faithful
and long continued service.
He tried the Cdse himself. His rival
sat on his ben h and glared savagely
at him-at least that is Jimmy's re-
port Of the judicial attitude.
AS II happened, Nine. Nellie was not
present In the courtroom, having been
detained elsewhere on jury duty.
In his place he sent two OF his as
sistants One OF them took the stand
NJ once-a forid faced lady she was,
who confessed amiably that she had
been dressmaker for twenty-one
years and was approaching her thir-
tieth birthday. It's this way, Judge,
yer honor" she testified glibly Mime.
Nellie sent the dress, and she sent
II back, saying II didn't fit l didn't
have nothing TO do with 1t, but the
lady in our house as did has assured
me that 1t fitted to perfection. Nine
Nellie says Miss Langham should be
compelled 10 pay"
Az this point Jim felt called upon to
explain matters. "You see" he start
ed to say, they've got the wrong
Judge Newton waved him aside.
"The issue in this case IS simple Does
the gown ft? That Is all. | would
like TO ask Miss Langham question
or two. Take the stand, miss"
Miss Langham did so.
What Is your nameF
elizabeth Langham."
"Where do you live"
"No - Sixth avenue"
you may retire to my private cham
Der and don the dress The plaintiffs
experts will accompany you"
Miss Langham commenced to weep
IF you please, Judge Newton" she
stammered
do as 1 say ne responded testify.
THE court will judge for Itself"
Five minutes later Miss Langham
re entered the courtroom clad in the
gown under dispute Nine. Nellies
expert beamed with satisfaction as she
addressed the court You can sec
for yourself. judge, yer honor 1t fits
without a wrinkle"
Il should call that an amazingly
good lit" said Judge Newton. frown-
ing, adding by the way of judicial con-
cession, "and nightly becoming. 1t
fits, doesn't itY
Yes" said Miss Langham. but