The Ordway new era., 1909-08-20


constant nagsing? Did you know that
MS unhappy home drove him to drink
anu that she-not he's responsible
ior MS ruined life? Did you know all
this?"
her companion paused a moment:
ne liked to go to the root of a matter
before hatly contradicting 1t.
What Is your authority for such
extraordinary statements?" he in.
quired judicially.
The best" came her quick re.
spohse. her sweet old voice breaking
uncertainty. the very best. He told
me so himself"
an occasional murmur arose from
'he next room. but the two old peo.
pie. completely absorbed In the past.
no longer felt Interested in the expon.
ents of the present.
lie told you So" repeated the
Judge. loftily tolerant of the illogical
conclusions of the weaker sex. and
you believed him, oh. the credulity
oil 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 stroye
nobiy to reclaim him. notwithstaud.
ing his neglect and abuse. She en-.
dured many things and suffered In ST.
lcnce-"
Indeed" interrupted Miss Weston
sharply. and what is your author.
ity. II you please
Il know 1t to be true" said the
Judge. still calmly superior, because
she told me so 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
II 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 wearily, Il
know he was dissipated and all that.
But II was her fault-yes, 1t was.'
and returning to the subject with
some warmth
I'VE remember him. you and l.
when he was like that boy in the 9TH
cr 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 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 fall when he was drunk.
You know all about 1t. Whose fault
was 1t that he lived as he did-his or
that of the two women who might
have helped him? | mean his wife,
had she been different. and-the 9TH
er. Come. you are a judge. Whose
fault was it?"
1--WE all have our idols" said the
I,,l. rlD ssnui fhnv often have
feet Of clay"
II 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 stiff. 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 dell
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
been an afternoon OF confidence:
probably we will never indulge In
such another. Tell me the name OF
the woman who could have made a
man of Grayson.'
"Her pame," said the old lady,
quietly Withdrawing her hand. was
Dorcas Weston"
An hour later q girl strolled into
~. ,ittIe hack drawing.room and seat.
ed herself upon the rug before the
fire, leaning her bright head anec'
tionately against Miss Westons knee
and taking possession OF the naho
which had excited the admiration oi
the Judge.
Its funny" she remarked thougnt
fully, how awfully coniidentiai tne
fire makes you feel, isn't lt!'
Miss Weston agreed.
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