Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-07

1H~ pAAcu up ta-44cS NlClOuSiy. she
did not wait for her guests 20 depart
before she began demclishirg the
table II was a tremendous breach OF.
etiquette. but she didn't care. To have
an ideal shattered rUthlessly is ever
a heart-breaking thing.
But my dear Mrs. Higgins" ex-
postuiated TIE judge.
You needn't" said that lady, short
y. i cCut care she went on, If
the president himself or an archangel
from heaven came down here and
plastered Dick Gordon with bad-smer-
IN names from the crown OF his little
toe TO the tip OF his head. I'd tell EN-
TO their very faces that they didn't
know what they was a talkin about.
and what's more they'd better go
back TO where they belong and not
come nosin' round in other peoples
business when they don't understand
one single mite about IT, We don't
want EN- putin their fingers In our
pie when they don't know a thing
about as or our ways. That's my
say" she closed. with appalling sig
nificance. fiattering herself that no
one could dream but that she was
dealing in the most on-hand general
tiles She was far too polite 20 an
tagonize, and withal too good a won
an not "a, strike for friend. She
congratulated herself she had been
true 20 all her gCds-and she had
been
Louise sDiled I'm complete sympa.
thy challenging the judge meanwhile
with laughing eyes. But the Judge
he was still much of boy In spite OF
his grave calling and mature years
just threw back his blonde head and
shouted in rapturous glee. He
laughed tin TIE very ceiling rang I'm
loud response. laughed tin the tears
shone in his biE blue eyes Mrs. Hig-
gins looked on IN undisguised amaze
ment, hands on hips.
Dear me. SUI" she sputtered. "is
the man gone clean daCy2"
Won't you shake hands with me.
Mrs. Higgins he asked. gravely. Il
ask your pardon for my levity. and I
assure YOU there isn't man in the
whole world s esteem more or hold
greater faith 'a than Dick Gordon-or
love SO much. thank you for your
championship ~ him. ] would that he
had more friends like You Louise.
are you ready"
Their walk COB The hotel was a silent
one. Later. as She was leaving him 10
so 10 her own room, Louise laid her
head cares. agly on her uncle's
sleeve.
Uncle Hammond" she said. impul-
sivcly. you are-incorrigible. but YOU
are the best man ia all The world" b
The very bcst?' he asked. smiling
ly.
The very bost" she repeated. firm
~.
There va a ul calender that term.
and the close of the first week found
The court stil wrestling with Grimm
al cases. with that OF Jesse Black yet
uncaled. Gordon reckoncd that
Blacks tria, could not possibly be
taken up until Tuesday or Wedncs-
day Of the following week. Long be-
fore that. the town began filling up
for the big rustling case. There were
other rustllg cases on the criminal
docket but they paled before this ono
where the suspected leader OF a gang
was on trial. The interested and the
curious did not mean 20 miss any part
OF T. They began coming IN early IN
the week. They kept coming the re-
mainder OF that week and Sunday as
well. Even as late as Monday. de-.
layed range riders came scurryinc fn.
leaving the cattle mostly 10 shift for
themselves. The Velpen aggregation.
better informed. kept 20 it's own side
Of the river pretty generally until the
Sunday at least, should be past.
The flats southeast OF town became
the camping grounds for those unable
20 find quarters az the hotel. and who
lived too far out 20 make the nightly
ride home and back In the morning.
They We're tempted by the unusually
mild weather. These were mostly In
dams and halfbreeds. but with a good
ly sprink.lng Of cowboys OF the
! rougher order Camp-hres spotted the
plain. burning redly at night. There
was plenty OF drlft-wood 70 be had for
the hauling Blanketed Indians SQUAT
ted and smoked around their hres-a
revival OF an older and better day for
them Sometimes they stalked ma
jestically through the one street OF
the town
The judicial party was safely housed
In the hotel. with the best service IL
was possible for the management TO
/ give in this busy season OF congested
| patronage. 1t was impossible to &C
commodate the crowds. Even the Of
fee was damned with cots at night.
Mary Williston had come in from
Whites 10 be with Louise. She was
physically strong again, but ever
strangely quiet, always somber-eyed.
| CHAPTER XIV