Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-07-07
In the Matter
Of Elizabeth
BY S. T. STERN
Copyright. lp04. by s. 7. Stern

ence. lnree nunured rect or 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 Z plutocnutic white stone man.
slon. At the corner of the same street
In a modest fiat 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 counselor. Miss
Langham knew him as her oldest and.
he hoped. her best friend. Elizabeth
Langham knew him as her employer.
Elizabeth Lanshail. often wondered
that Jim had selected her from two
dozen applicants for the position Of Ste
nOgraphsr In his legal establishment
A callow graduate from Il 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 to her daily. and she tran
scribed without an error.
Not so Miss Langham, the focus Of
fifty bachelor aspirations. Jim tried
dictation there only once.
"Mr. Carruthers," said Miss Langham
coldly. "you are taking 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 II he's a day." Jim
persisted.
so shall you be. Mr.. Carruthers-
some day. Good night"
There were tears after Jim had taken
his departure. but that Jim did not
know. He did know, however. that
Miss Langham had dismissed him, and
he sorrowed accordingly.
ITS that fellow. Colonel Newton"
be mused. ''Since they've elected him
4 Judge Elizabeth has been indiffer-
snt to me. Mrs. Judge Newton evil
dently sounds better to her young
sars than plain Mrs. Jimmy Carruth-
srs." So he foundered homeward In
the slush Of winter evening and
nursed his first great sorrow.
Sorrow maketh sympathizer.
Jimmy. blue and hopeless, became hui
manitarian in week. One morning
when his stenographeE. Miss Eliza
beth. showed him court summons
which had been served upon her, de-
manding that she pay the sum of $3.50
forthwith or suffer the entry of judg-
ment for that amount. Jimmy simply
radiated consolation. "Who is this
Nine. Nellie who Is suing your
II never heard Of her." was the re-
sponse.
Jim scanned the papers closely.
"Mme. Nellie" he said after he had
finished. seems to be the trade name
Of q being whose Christian appellation
II 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. I
never ordered a dress one-fourth as
expensive as that. Nor have 1 ever
laid eyes on Nine. Nellie"
"Where do you liver he inquired.
Her reply astonlshed him. mo. -
Sixth avenue"
rs that near Forty-seventh streetY'
ut II 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 tho Hon.
William Newton. Justice. his mind
was made up. He told 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 bench and glared savagely
at him-at least that is Jimmy's re-
port Of the judicial attitude.
As 1t 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
at once-a Horid faced lady she was,
who confessed amiably that she had
been u 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
1t back. saying 1t 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 to pay"
At this point Jim felt called upon to
explain matters. "You see," he start
cd to soy, they've got the wrong
Judge Newton waved him aside.
''The issue in this case is simple. Does
the gown At? That Is all. would
like to ask Miss Langham q question
or two. Take the stand, miss"
Miss Langham did SO.
"What is your nameT
elizabeth Langham."
"Whsre do you live?'
"No. - Sixth avenue"
"You may retire to my private cham
osr snd don the dress. The plaintiffs
experts will accompany you"
Miss Langham commenced to weep.
If you please, Judge Newton" she
stammerad.
"DO rs i say" ne responded testify.
'"The court will Judge for itself"
Five minutes later Miss Langham
rs-entered the courtroom clad in the
gown under dispute. Nine. Nellie's
eYnert haa med with "a tia IN ctfon an ahe
addressed the court. you can SEQ
for yourself. Judge. yer honor. 1t fits
without q wrinkle"
Il should call that an amazingly
good IT." said Judge Newton. frown-
Ing, adding by the way Of judicial con-
cession. land nightly becoming. II
ats. doesn't TT"
Yes" said Miss Langham. but
That's all. Judgment for Nine. Mel
la R1~ R,,n