Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19

illness in itself that surpasses description. or if
it could be described that surpasses the COM
prehension of the finite mind. W
CHANGING casually in the direction of the
- table, Harley observed that faint smile.
gradually broadening, was illumining Miss Car
penter's face. What's the joker" he asked.
"Oh, nothing, Mr. Bowdoin," she replied
II just had thought that was all
Let me have it, then, " said Bowdoin. Real
thoughts are scarce these days, and maybe it
will help me-"
Il was only wondering said the girl hest
tatingly, if this of the papers in the
Chocolate Trust matter. 1t has sugary sort of
sound
runs sweetly, does it,"
1T suggests candy shop rather than law
Office" she ventured.
Good" retorted Harley. That's the in
tention of it. Suppose proceed:
"'That all of this should SO affect as to in
capacitate me from thinking of anything else is
only natural and you need not therefore be sur
prised when l tell you that my complete OBJ
session by yourself has become such that all
other interests of nv life seriously imper-
lied thereby. l cannot think of other things.
l cannot give my mind to important matters
committed to my care. / cannot go anywhere
without seeing your face before me. l cannot
do any kind of work without finding you at
every turn, and when sit down at my desk to
concentrate upon problems which l am called
upon to solve, at the end of four seconds find
my thoughts wandering off to you. Points
that need to be made for the consideration of
the learned Justices of our courts are forgotten
in the dilation of my thoughts upon a pair of
blue eyes-yours!
"When stand in courtroom to make an
argument before a Judge or a jury, all | can
think of is the sunshine of your presence; and
when it comes to cross examining antag
onistic witness | can see in the chair none but
yourself with the result that instead of tang
-:
tricable mass of contradictions. my duty
calls upon me to do find myself wooing him
or her, as the case NAV be, to the utter ruin of
my clients cause and my own professional rep
utatiOn
Last night I sat until the wee sma' hours of
the morning receiving instructions in matter
of vast importance from the most valued of my
clients, and when he had finished all could re-
member was that your voice surpassed all the
music that was ever written; that one strand
of your golden hair was worth more to me than
all the treasures of the Ind, of Golconda. of
Croesus, Midas. Monte Cristo, and Carnegie
rolled into one massive universe embracing for
tune; that your presence in the vast deserts of
the earth would turn each into lush luxuriant
home of flowers: and that with your eyes
within reach of mine the sun might rise or not
for aught cared!'"
HARLEY paused at this point The impetu-
- ositv of his last paragraphs quite took his
breath away and sorely taxed the rapid powers
of shorthand of his stenographer. Miss Carpen-
ter took advantage of the temporary rest to
fan herself with sheet of legal cap the table.
puzzled smile rested upon her lips; but she
said nothing until Harley deserted the window
and came back to his desk again.
Are you writing novel;" she asked.
NOVEL;" he repeated. "Why should you
think that"
This sounds very much like one" she ex-
planned "Of course l only asked-this is SO
very different from the ordinary run of dicta-
lions one gets in lawyers Office
do you think it is good enough for
mance?" Bowdoin asked, his eyes twinkling.
1T simply breathes a love story" the girl
replied. II can't imagine sweeter letter"
I'm very glad" was Bowdoin's rejoinder
Maybe am writing a novel, Miss Carpenter
or perhaps it would be better to say that l am
living one"
1T is the living ones that are the best" said
she.
eff they turn out all right" suggested Har-
ley. Happy ending, and all that-orange
blossoms for finis and beginning, eh?"
Il like them better that way" said Miss Car
penter. Il suppose the other kind neces-
sary; but personally l don't think story is
worth telling that leaves people worse off at the
end than they were at the beginning, and if after
many chapters of struggle and trial come
only upon unhappiness and disappointment,
for me, at least, it is not good. l think art
should concern itself only with beauty, and not
with ugliness.''
Still there is ugliness in the world" said