Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-05
A Lawyer in the Family.


which the lady regarded the yonns
man With 4 steady gaze.
Il knew" she presently said, that I
was taking great chances when Clarp
made that visit In New York with
Louise Humphrey"
Tho ysung man wisely waited, but
the lady relapsed into silence.
Il haven't auch to offer her, he
said; at least ut present. I'm Young
and I'm making my way, and my
chances seem coed. I can give Clare a
modest home In a nice neighborhood, a
home In which there will always be
room for you, dear madam"
The lady slightly shifted.
You are getting ahead a little too
fast, young man. I've no thought of
moving Just at present Does Clare
know about this-thls delightful ar.
rangement?"
Eyes, madam"
"It's all settled, them"
NO. madam. 1t all depends on you. ="
Again the lady slightly shifted.
My niece was In New York Just a
month. During that month you con.
trived to persuade yourself that she
was the only girl In all the world you
could ever care for. Did you, or did
you not?"
II did, madam"
Seems nonsensical, doesn't it7.
NO, madam"
She shook her head at him reprov.
ingly.
You look like a fairly sensible
young man. Does my niece reciprocate
this-this fanciful attachment?
Eyes, madam"
And she sent you to mel"
"Yes. madam"
But why come to me II you are
both agreed~
Glare owes you too much, madam.
to do anything contrary to your ap-
prevail"
"HoIty-toity! And suppose I re-
fuse?"
I'VE can wait, madam"
That's Just what you should do.
How silly this seems. You have met
my niece twenty times, we1l cay. and
no doubt think her the one perfect
flower Of all girlhood. Do l use the
right expression7"
Eyes, madam"
She drew the gray shawl a little
closer.
DO you appreciate what you are
asking Of me?" she suddenly famed
out What do we know about you ?"
VERY little. madam. I can only tell
you that | am clean and honest, and
have a good profession"
That Is what you say" Then her
eyes suddenly twinkled behind her
glasses. "I'll admit that I'm a little
prejudiced In your favor-although YOU
certainly are not as good looking as
| Glare would have me believe. And I
like your letters"
odd Clare show them to your
"IIow else could have seen them d?
They were not nearly as slushy as
might have been expected"
Thank YOU"
THAT one that told about the italian
child In the police court was M good as
a book. I'll admit that Clare and I
both cried over It." She paused and
drew a long breath. ITS very silly In
me, know. but never having had any
love affair Of my own 1t Is natural /
should feel an extra interest In Clare's."
She took of her glasses and again
wiped them with much care. He looked
at her curiously.
II begin to have a suspicion" he
said.
"Of what?"
THAT you knew me all the time"
The lady laughed softly.
II wasn't particularly startled by
your appearance"
And you didn't really take me for
a book agent?"
"Ns."
Aunt Lucy" said the young man.
you certainly are very clever won-
an"
Aunt Lucy! Hoity-teity! You are
taking a good deal for granted. Richard
Barclay. Bat here; let's be frank and
straightforward. l promise You moth
ing. You will stay and take dinner
with us and then we three will talk
this all ever. We are gsing to be Der.
fectly Independent o. our side, you
understand. We may be poor, or at
least very far from rich. but we are
proud. We come by 1t naturally. That's
my fathers picture up there, Jethro
Holt He was as proud as a lord"
The young man looked up quickly.
"what did you call his name7"
"Jethro Holt"
The young mans eyes sparkled.