The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-03-22

until you were forced to, and to avoid
the confession you sent her the income
which was rightfully hers. That was
your great weakness"
Joe had spoken with great rapidity,
though keeping his voice low, and he
lowered it again as he continued:
Judge Pike, what chance have you
to be believed in court when you swear
that you sent her $4,000 out of the
goodness of your heart? Do you think
she believed you? 1t was the very
proof to her that you had robbed her,
for she knew you. Do you want to
hear more now? Do you think this
is a good place for it? Do you wish
me to 60 over the details of each step
I have taken against you to land you
at the bar where this poor fellow your
paper is bounding stands today?"
The Judge essayed to answer and
could not. He lifted his hand uncer-
tainly and dropped it, while a thick
dew gathered on his temples. Inar-
ticulate sounds came from between his
teeth.
"You will come?' said Joe.
Martin Pike bent his head dazedly.
and at that the other turned quickly
from him and went away without look
ing back.
Ariel was in the studio half an hour
later. when Joe was announced by the
smiling Mr.. Warden. Ladew was with
her, though upon the point of taking
his leave, and Joe marked, with
sinking heart, that the young minis
ter's cheeks were flushed and his eyes
very bright.
at was a magnificent thing you did,
Mr. Louden," he said, offering his hand
heartily. 'I saw it, and it was even
finer in one way than it was plucky.
1t somehow Strengthened things out
with such perfect good nature. 1t
made those people feel that what they
were doing was ridiculous"
$50 1t was" said Joe.
"Few under the circumstances could
have acted as if they thought so. And
l hope you'll let me call upon you, Mr..
Louden."
II hope you WILL" he answered and
then. when the minister had departed,
stood looking after him with sad eyes,
in which there dwelt obscure medita-
lions. Ladew's word of farewell had
covered a deep look at Ariel which
was not to be mistaken by Joseph
Louden for anything other than what
1t was. The clergyman's secret was
an open one, and Joe saw that he was
as frank and manly in love as in all
other things. He's a good fellow" he
said at last, sighing-"a good man."
Ariel agreed. "And he said more to
me than he did to you"
Eyes; l think it probable" Joe
smiled sorrowfully.
about you, l mean" He had time
to fear that her look admitted confu-
sion before she proceeded: HE said he
had never seen anything so fine as
your coming down those steps. All, he
was right! But it was harder for me
to watch you, think, than for you to
do it. Joe. / was so horribly afraid
and the crowd between us-if we could
have got near you-but we couldn't
We
She faltered and pressed her hand
close upon her eyes.
"We?' asked Joe slowly. "You mean
you and Mr. LadewT
Eyes; he was there but / mean
her voice ran into a little laugh with
beatific quaver in TT mean Colo
mel Flitcroft and Mr. Bradbury and
/ Mr.. Buckalew, too-we were hemmed
| in together when Mr.. Ladew found us.
And, oh, Joe, when that cowardly rush
started toward you those three I've
heard wonderful things in Paris and
Naples, cabmen quarreling and disap-
pointed beggars, but never anything
like them today
"You mean they were profane?
ooh, magnifcently, and with such
inventivenessl All three begged my
pardon afterward. 1 didn't grant it
I blessed them"
"Did they beg Mr.. Ladews pardon?"
"Ah, Joev' she reproached him.
"He isn't a prig. And he's had to fight
some things that you of all men ought
to understand. He's only been here a
few months, but he told me that Judge
Pike has been against him from the
start. 1t seems that Mr.. Ladew is too
liberal in his views. And he told me
that If it were not for Judge Pixies
losing influence in the church on &C
count of the Beaver Beach story the
judge would probably have been able
to force him to resign, but now he will
stay"
HE wishes to stay, doesn't hep
Every much, think. And, Joe" she
continued thoughtfully, 81 want you to
do something for me. 1 want you to
go to church with me next Sunday"
''To hear Mr.. Ladew?"
Eyes. 1 wouldn't ask except for
that"
Very WELL" he consented, with
averted eyes. "Tll CO."
Her face was radiant with the smile
she gave him. 1T will make me very
happy" she said