Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-04-14
In the Matter
OF Elizabeth
By S. Il. STERN
Copyright. 1904. by S. L. Stern

There were two Elizabeth Lang
hams. For fifteen years they had lived
almost side by side, and neither OF
them had learned OF the others exist
-ence. Three hundred feet OF metropoli-
tan space and several hundred thou
sand dollars separated them socially
aud completely. The elder Miss Lang
ham resided near the middle OF the
block in plutocratic white stone man.
sion. AT the corner OF the same street
In 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 counselor. 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 a 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
dictat'on there only once.
"Mr. Carruthers," said Miss Langham
coldly. you are taking n mean advan-
tage of our friendship. You have no
right to crlticise my other friends. I
am proud to number Judge Newton
among my friends"
But he's fifty If he's a day. Jim
persisted.
$50 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.
"It's that fellow, Colonel Newton"
he unused. 'Since they've elected him
judge Elizabeth has been indiffer-
ent to me. Mrs. Judge Newton evil
IDENTITY sounds, better to her young
ears than plain Mrs. Jimmy Carruth-
ers." So he foundered homeward in
the slush OF n winter evening and
nursed his first great sorrow.
Sorrow maketh sympathizer
Jimmy. blue and hopeless, became hui
manltarian In a week One morning
when his stenographer, Miss Eliza
beth, showed him a court summons
which had been served upon her, de-
handing that she pay the sum OF $3.50
forthwith or suffer the entry OF judy
ment for that amount, Jimmy simply
radiated consolation. "Who Is this
Nine. Nellie who is suing your
81 never heard of her." was the re.
Spouse.
Jim scanned the papers closely.
mime. Nellie" he said after he had
finished, 'seems to be the trade name
of n 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 IL, and he sues accord
ingly."
There must be some mistake. I
never ordered n dress one fourth as
| expensive as that. Nor have L ever
laid eyes on Nine. Nellie"
Where do you liver" he inquired.
Her reply astonished him. mo. -
Sixth avenue
us that near Eorty-seventh street?-
ut 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 told his secretary
to have no fear. He was happy to
show his appreciation of her faithful
and long continued service.
He tried the case 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 IL happened, Nine. Nellie was not
present la 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 fiorid faced lady she was,
who confessed amiably that she had
been n dressmaker for twenty-one
years and was approaching her thir-
tieth birthday. Its this way, Judge,
yer honor" she testified glibiy "Mrne.
Nellie sent the dress, and she sent
it back, saying 1t didn't at. / didn't
have nothing to do with 1t, but the
lady In our house as did has assured
me that IL fitted to perfection. Nine.
Nellie says Miss Langham should be
compelled to pay" ~ m ir p
At 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 fit? That is all. would
Ike to ask Miss Langham a question
or two Take the stand. miss"
Miss Langham did SO.
What is your manner"
Elizabeth Langham"
where do you liveY
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
stammsred
do as 1 say" he responded testify.
"The court will judge for itself"
Five minutes later Miss Langham
re-entered the courtroom clad in the
gown under dispute Nine. NeIlies
expert beamed with satisfaction as she
addressed the court. You can see
for yourself. judge, yer honor. 1t fits
without wrinkle"
II should call that an amazingly
good fit" said Judge Newton, frown-
ing, adding by the way of judicial con-
cession, "and nightly becoming. II
fits, doesn't it?"
Yes" said Miss Langham, but
That's all. Judgment for Nine. Nei
lie for the full amount"
Once more Jim rose from his chair.
won't Won permit me IN Sav faxv