The San Francisco call., 1906-07-08


Tibet I will" cried Mary, wiping
ye know how, darlin'."
"Tll ask him to CALL" said Katna-
rine, seating herself at her desk. III
have him come right away.
DO. darlin'," urged Mary.
AS soon as she had dispatched the
note. Katharine's heart misgave her.
She ran to the window to call Mary
back, but the agile little old-country-
born Irishwoman was already halfw ay
down the hill and, after all. what
better was there to do? There was no
time to send for an out-of-town law
yer The trial was to take place al
most Immediately, after the manner of
Eureka justice. There were few law
yers in the State, any way. more able
than Eugene Winslow. He could do
1t, If he would If he would! How
more than wise, and prudent. che must
be!
The minutes dragged like hours until
he came, yet when she heard him
mount the steps and ring the bell the
time of her preparation had been all
too short. She had removed the traces
of tears and had changed the fashion
of her hair and gown. He must find
her no mourning dove.
He entered hastily, his lip twitching
He had not been alone with her for
months.
She gave him her hand. DO you
know why 1 sent for your" she asked.
Il can imagine" he replied abruptly
'It is this affair of Vaughan's. You
are NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Yes, 1 am" she said with tran
quillity which surprised herself "Sit
here by the fire. It's chilly morning"
Winslow obeyed, holding out his
hands to the blaze
From the first I've taken an inter-
est in Mr.. Vaughan" said Katharine in
calm, well bred tones-were they too
calm, too we'll bred, she wondered. He
seemed so young and ingenious.
He is your own age" exploded Wins
low.
"Is he?" she asked. 'I should have
said that he was much younger. 1
fancy he has not seen very much Of
the world. He is very boyish-don't
you think?"
Possibly" said winslow
Well, anyway" said Katharine with
an access of energy. "of course we can't
let him-let them-do as they please
with him after he has been one of US,
a member of your club. sent for you
to consult with you to see what could
be done"
She had really managed very WELL
she told herself. She had kept tremolo
out of her voice. and across the room
Winslow could not hear the beating of
her heart.
Have you spoken to Arthur about
this?" inquired Winslow searchingly.
"N-no," said Katharine. Arthur
Arthur doesn't like to talk about the
things which he takes very much to
heart He is, of course-disturbed. like
me. You know you can talk over your
troubles more easily with some one
outside tho family-that is, not too far
outside, an--an intimate friend. like
you
She was actually stumbling over her
words. This would never do.
There is strong feeling against
Vaughan" said Winslow, scowling.
And 1t is increasing"
Katharine's blood turned to ice in her
veins. She did not dare to look at
Winslow or to trust her voice. After
a pause he continued 1T looks pretty
black. you know, for a man to kill his
wife and child. She was his wife. there's
no doubt about that. And she was evil
IDENTIFY a provoking creature, but-mur-
der is murder, you know He'll prob
ably have to swing for It."
In Katharine's clenched fists, hidden
among the folds of her gown, her nails
wer tearing their way into her soft
palms. II seemed to her that in another
minute she would shrek out at the
top of her voice. Yet when she spoke
IT was with the same deliberate calm.
I'VE must prevent that, if possible" J"
she said. slowly.
There's very little that can be done
in a place like this" returned Winslow.
I'm a more sophisticated, less direct
community he would probably be got
off on a quibble, but here 1t is did he
or didn't he. and swing him UP to the
IT,
every day that they'd break into the
Jail and take him."
He nonchalantly flicked a bit of dust
from the sleeve of his coat. Katherines
eyes blazed under the dropping veil of
their long lashes. But all she said
was, 1T would be fairly clever piece
of work to get him off"
Eugene Winslow started and gave
her quick glance TT would, wouldn't
itw he exclaimed
you've never had as big criminal
case as this, have you?" she inquired,
smothering a yawn Excuse me: l
didn't sleep very well last night. Nor
did any one else Every ones nerves
are upset l didn't know which way to
turn. So 1 sent for you" she finished,
brightly.
You did quite right" he answered.
with more of his old cordial manner
than he had hitherto shown. You
were asking If I'd had as big criminal
case as this. No, l haven't; they used
TO go TO Barker, and since he's been
District Attorney, there have been
none"
"Of course. If the prisoner has no
case" suggested Katharine.
Il wouldn't say that he returned
But it would take a smart lawyer to
overcome the prejudices of these peo-
pie. 1t might be done. 1 don't say it
couldn't
Il should think that sort of thing
would be a temptation to a man, just
TO show that he could do it," said Kath-
arine, ref1ectively.
TT is. in a way" said Winslow. He
scrutinized her sharply; was she play
ing a part? If she was 1t was an
adroit one. She was leaning back in
her chair now. her bright hair thrown
into relief by its dark. carved head
piece, her hands stretched out along
it's arms He could not see her eyes
Katharine had such tell-tale eyes. He
wished that he could see them. But
the heavy lids concealed them. She
seemed to be studying the ruins of
the log castle, glinting and glowing
on the hearth.
You used to grow so excited over
the big cases." she pursued, dreamily