The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-12-24

HER ATTORNEY.
And the Divorce lie Didn't Gel
For Her.

hcsitatlhg Iashinhs Nhr ElahsSh AZ Wv
signs on tho doors aud seemed unable "a
come 10 ,lcrision, llsF pals face NnFr .
irouhled expression. A irown daIkenei
her forehead,
She was a slender nrl, with dark hair
aud eyes, aud her quiet gown aud hat
were tasteful aud Docomins. That Was
the opinion. at lrAsl, of the elderly man
who Was sitting at table IN one Of the
offices when she paused At the Open door
and looked in. lie Nas an elderly man 81
middle height, a little Inclined % stout
Ness, man with thick gray hair aud
short gray mu,iaehr, aud hts expression
was delightfully."- irien. y one
Ii was this characteristic expression That
attracted th. attention ~ the girl' she
PAUSED timidly Tor moment and then
came into the room a little way, ahd when
,he saw the man was alone she spoke,
"Sir," she asked "ae you lawyer
His pleasant smile derpsned. j.,
at i a curious fact. he said, that
have never llscn asked that question be-
ion." His voice was deep aud pleasant,
too. iii You know our profession, Young
lady, You will not expect direct answer
Mnl Il suffice You II ! say that ] have
h,cn a member Of the bar OF this county
for forty years"
She did NO, smile At his playful tone.
Her faor retained II. serious expression;
May | consult yong' she asked a. she
took a sicp nearer.
lie was watching her closely.
Take the chair here he said a. he
quickly arose. You arr Ill.
mo. No" she family protested - she
sank into the chair. IL am only tlred
and worried,
II see" said the gray haired man and
he brought her a glass OF water. FER
haps this Is the tirsi time you have en-
tered a lawyers deng
YES" she murmurcd.
And Il has much the same effect ON
YOU that a dentists office might have.
Faintness all gomez"
Thank you. yes. am very foolish 10
be 50 weak.
Would you do away with one Of the
greatest charms Of the sext' he snilingy
asked As he took his scat at the table, his
keen eyes closely regarding the face of his
visitor.
The girl with an effort regained her
MAY repeat my last question:" she
asked. ,
You asked il you might consult me, One
moment" He took out his watch and
glanced at it. 'How can ] aid youf
She hesitated and her voice trcmbled.,.
Il want to consult you about d.
vorce."
lie was a little startled at this reply
and glanced at his watch again.
IL haven't had much divorce practice
lately" he said. and his face suddenly
4 a la l.r
look. "Oh, WELL" he went on. "let me
hear your story--if it is brief and you care
to coniide in me.
eyes. yes," said the girl. Your face
is so kind. so sympathetic
He softly laughed
II should have worked up a divorce
practice long ago. he said.
Go on"
II didn't know who to go to in my
trouble" said the girl Lawyers, you
understand, were but names to me-
"A very happy state OF ignorance, NUT
tered the old man
"And then ! saw you through the door.
way"
"a cheap and tasty form Of advertis.
ing said the listener
"And somehow your face inspired me
with confidence.
my dear girl said the old mar. "fou
confuse me with sense of the opportun-
tiles ] have missed. A face that inspires
confidence would make the fortune OF a
bunko man. May ask you TO confne
your remarks to the business in hand!
We shall get on so much faster. How
long have you been married.
Five months"
Eyes. First quarrel :,
The tears suddenly came into the girls
eyes.
yes"
Every serious. of course. Haven't you
anybody to advise you?'
NO I'm a Chicago girl. All my friends
live there"
Eyes. Then you haven't thought of 60
ing home to mother"
mo. I'd be ashamed to do that"
Good Mother thinks you are happy
)f course?'
'Ie.es'
"And father"
Father didn't want me to marry IA
New Yorker. II he knew | was unhappy |
he would come here and take me away
md make a dreadful scene i
"No nonsense about father, ehy And
what do you propose to do atter-after |
,ou get the divorce?"
She gave little shudder. Il
Father sends me an allowance and l
,hink | would like to find something to |
to make me feel indie
pendent" -,
Don't you expect to ask for alimony?"
"No. no." cried the girl. Il don't |
want til don't want anything that be-
ongs to jim" ~
"a very proper spirit" said the old |
nan with queer little twinkle in his |
yes "And how old is JIM"
''Twenty-seven on the 9TH of June. He |
$ FIVE years older than | am"
sh follies. Ell? A lively young rounder-
ate suppers and lots of red liquor, no |
loubt." ~
mo. no. said the girl quickly. Jim
sn't like that"
"Never goes anywhere, Ell? Always
hoping at home and refusing to take you
lnywhere?"
"No,' said the girl. "Jim always took
ne wherever I wanted to CO.,
''Close with his money, perhaps. For
.ver grumbling about the household ex-
)enses?"
The girl opened her eyes very wide.
yays saved part of the money he allowed
ne. He never grumbled about il"
"He had an ungovernable temper,
hen? Struck you, perhaps?,
The girls face turned white.
"Struck me! Jim couldn't do that"
"There, there" said the old man. "Of
course he couldn't. Then I'll have to con,
Jude that he's married firt. Very fond
If the ladies', isn't he?"
A dull red surged INTO the girls cheeks.
mo" she said in low voice.
Once more the old man looked at his
watch. and this time he snapped the
over down with a sharp click.
Then came an interruption.
A tall man entered the room, lie
anne hurriedly, but paused at sight of