The Dolores star., 1909-09-24

so 1t was you." she said again
you"
why not?" he inquired imperturb-
ably.
ITO be sure" she acquiesced. why
not?"
The old gentleman drew his chair
forward and crossed his knees with
elaboration. He liked to discuss every
subject dispassionately and was quite
celebrated at the bar for the Justice
Of his decisions.
g Did you know" she said a little
breathlessly. that she never opened
a book or read a paper, and that her
neglect OF her child (this boys IA
ther) made her husband what he
was? Had you any idea how she
could whine and sulk for days togeth.
er over tribes? Did you realize how
untidy and slovenly her dress be-
came when alone with her husband,
and how she wore away his love by
constant nagging? Did you know that
his unhappy home drove him to drink
and that she-not he-is responsible
for his ruined lifs7 Did you know all
this?"
Her companion paused a moment:
he liked to go to the root Of a matter
before fatty contradicting It,
What is your authority for such
extraordinary statements?" he In.
quired judicially.
The best" came her quick re-
sponse. her sweet old voice breaking
uncertainty, the very best. He told
me SO himself
An occasional murmur arose from
the next room. but the two old peo.
pie. completely absorbed In the past,
no longer felt interested In the expon.
ents of the present.
He told you So" repeated the
Judge. loftily tolerant OF the illogical
conclusions of the weaker sex, land
you believed him! Oh, the credulity
of the female mind! Why, Dorcas.
Tom Grayson was bad clear through.
His wife," he continued firmly,
tried in every way possible to make
happy home for him. She strove
nobly to reclaim him. notwithstand.
ing his neglect and abuse. She en-.
dured many things and suffered In 81.
lence-"
"Indeed!' interrupted Miss Weston
sharply. "and what is your author
ity, If you please?"
Il know 1t to be true" said the
Judge. still calmly superior, because
she told me 80 herself"
The Judge was not blessed with a
sense of humor. else he would have
understood the short laugh with which
his companion leaned back in her
chair and contemplated the fire. As
1t was, he merely continued train
of thought and promptly voiced his
sentiments.
Il never could understand" he re-
marked sententiously. why good
women always defend worthless men.
Now, Grayson-"
I'm not defending him." interrupt
ed Miss Weston little YEARLY, II
know he was dissipated and all that.
But 1t was her fault-yes, 1t was"
she continued, once more sitting erect
and returning to the subject with
some warmth.
We remember him. you and I,
when he was like that boy In the 9th.
er room-handsome, generous. care
less. and care-free; quick-tempered
and full OF faults. perhaps. but with
the making Of man II he had had a
fair chance. You know 1t In your heart
as well as / do. The right woman
could have been proud OF her hus.
band. He found her too late to mar
ry her. but he realized what she might
have been to him. He knew that he
loved her and told her SO, asking for
her love in return and her help"
And she?"
"She loved him because she could
not help 1t. But she was a woman and
had the scruples Of her sex; she
feared the criticism of the world and
would have nothing to do with him
nothing. He went from bad to worse
until he met his miserable death, the
result of a fall when he was drunk
You know all about It, Whose fault
was 1t that he lived as he did-his or
that Of the two women who might
have helped him? 1 mean his wife,
had she been different, and-the 9TH
er. Come. you are Judge. Whose
fault was it,"
I'VE all have our idols" said the
Judge slowly, "and they often have
feet Of clay"
Il am waiting for an answer to my
question:" insisted the old lady, her
voice trembling noticeably.
But her companion did not reply
Instead, he rose slowly, for his joints
were somewhat stif, and prepared to
take his leave. Miss Weston rose
also and extended her hand in silence.
The judge bowed low and held the lit
tie hand moment, admiring the deli
cate tracery Of blue veins and the
smoothness which had defied even the
wrinkles which usually mark the trail
Of passing years.
"Dorcas." he said gently. this has