Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-13
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~~~>~$>>>H>><< >~4<@S@%>@> The judge fingered the dainty note rs6ectiyely, narrowed his keen gray eyes, breathsd little faster and star tied himself by blushing. Yet the con tents of the missive were very simple, very commonplace and ran us follows:
 Pecan Grove. Oct. 30.
 Ny Dear Judge-Billy is very anxious Co have you run down for the week end and has asked me to write and urge you to come.
 There Is to be quite jolly crowd-about dozen of us-and we arc going to wind up with big Halloween ball Saturday evening. the sist.
 ture wife. With best wishes.
 DIANA LANDS.
 Judge Underwood was abruptly con scious of vain and frivolous desire to be young again. He even took out his pocket mirror and studied his re- hection critically, noting the little fur rows between his straight black brows with an apprehensive heart.
 Would Miss Landls have written so cordially had she dreamed of the reck- less tide of emotions surging within him at the bare sight of her well re- membered little scrawl? Would she have written at all? He thought not, for Diana was but nineteen. and he was lowering very close to forty!
 Ten years ago he had taught her the three R's in the village school at Pecan Grove, and five years ago she had been the first to discover the half dozen sil- yer hairs that had since grown in.o the little tuft of gray above his left temple.
 Stili, he could no more control the feelings that obsessed him than he could clip off the years that stood be. tween him and his hearts desire, so with an impulsive hand he seized a pen from the rack and dashed down his answer:
 New York. Oct. 22
 Dear Miss Landis--Your kind invitation reaches mo at most opportune time and you may be sure shall enjoy taking W0oh OH uOWn dt tne GEOte.
 The prospect of finding life partner appeals to me almost as much as the an. ticipation of the visit as I am beginning to need ballast very badly. Sincerely yours. R. H. UNDERWOOD.
 As soon as he had dispatched his let ter the judge thrust aside the clamor. ing pile of briefs on his desk, picked up his hat and hurried down to his tailor's.
 When informed by his sartorial ex. cellency that the pearl gray, just com pleted, made him Hook like boy" the judge was again 80 foolish as to allow his face to grow red, but he merely scowled in reply and ordered the suit sent to his rooms at once.
 The next morning at 9 he left on his journey, reaching Pecan Grove at in the afternoon. Billy Landis was at the station with smart little trap, and they had an exhilarating two mile spin through the hectic autumn woods.
 The judge longed to ask some ques. tions about Diana, but kept craftily silent, hoping that Billy would present. ly volunteer little information.
 And after thrashing out every other subject under the sun-so 1t seemed to his guest--Billy finally remarked: "We have six girls-angels, all of them-and six of the opposite variety of brute. in. cluding you and myself. Di has plan. ned no end of thrilling stunts for every day in the week, she and Teddy. Car. stairs."
 The judge felt his heart drop like a leaden plummet. but he forced him. self to say, matter of factly: q don't think ever heard of the name down here. Is he'
 "Of course you didn't" interposed Billy quickly. They're nice Eng. fish family who have leased the ad. joining plantation. Teddy is the old. est boy. He's brick too"
 Judge Underwood was keenly con. scious of a desire to kick himself clear back to New York Why ever had he succumbed idiotically to the tempta. tion of the moment in allowing himself to be inveigled down here? He had permitted himself to be made fool of by girls offer of friendly hospitality, by tailor's stupid drivel, by his owl arrant imbecility.
 But he managed adroitly to box up his feelings and observe with sur. prising degree of enthusiasm: Tt was swtully good of you all to have me