The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-04-13
G O N T n u f y
r o
p A @ E Q N E
WHEN JUSTICE

i'I' H'"i' SiS an IilS tilt negative.
What have you to say?"
he queried of the beautiful girl
defendant at DriscOls side.
Il have nothing to say, your
honor, she murmured lowly look
ing straight into the magistrates
sternly narrowed eyes.
What, neither of you wish to eX-
plain this thing. You must know
that this is very serious charge"
queried the judge in astonishment
Il know this is a serious charge,
your honor ! admit that we have
been living together" Driscol said
in clear tones, rising to his feet
and facing the court. Il met this
little girl here about a year ago
and it was not until her husband
attempted to put her in a house OF
prostitution that | took her to live
with me. | know it is illegal, but
| love her and have respected her
just as much as though she had
been my lawfully welded wife all
along. | want to marry her as soon
as can get the money ahead to
procure divorce for her. | was
sick with pneumonia for several
weeks and this little girl nursed
me through it. All my intentions
were honorable
DO you want to marry this
mani asked the judge of the
woman.
Yes. your honor, 1 do" she re-
sponded.
Will you lose your job as the
result of this case?" the judge
asked, addressing Driscol.
Il cannot say as to that. I GER
tainly will if | go to Jail, but think
can get it back if | were not con-
fined" the railroader answered.
Your honor, | can vouch for this
man getting his job back if you
allow him his liberty. l have
known him for months and am will
ing to vouch for him. All in the
fOrepart of the courtroom turned
quickly around, for the last state
ment was made by a big, clean-cut
fellow. a spectator who sat near the
middle of the room.
If | should allow Mr.. Driscol his
liberty, you know that you cannot
live together until you are legally
married, so, what will become or
you? Do you want to 60 to the
Salvation Army home?' Judge
Mann asked the girl.
Yes, your honor, | will go there,
or | can go out and work until l
get NIX divorce" she answered.
If your honor please, would you
be so kind as to allow me the priv
ilege of giving this girl home
with me-"
There were but few dry eyes
in the courtroom at this. The girl
defendant who had sat calm so
far throughout the trial glanced
once shyly at the speaker, whose
tones We're wavering, and then
herself burst into tears.
Tears gathered in the eyes of the
Judge upon the bench and he looked
down at the docket on his desk,
too much filled with emotion to
speak. The prosecutor hung his
head and Driscol rubbed a glisten-
ing tear from his cheek with a
Caloused hand.
1t was Mrs. Cole, the landlady,
whose testimony had been so dam
aging to the defense of the two
young lovers, who had spoken, and
now she, too, was sobbing over in
the corner of the enclosure.
Il will continue this case for 80
days. | will release Driscol on his
own recognizance that he may go
back to work, and | will allow Mel
lie Morehouse to accept the home
offered by Mrs. Cole" said Judge
Mann. as he closed a book with a
bang on top of his bench and hur-
ried out to his private office. J. A.
Driscol, who had faced a sentence
OF six months behind Jail bars, and
Nellie Morehouse filed out to their
liberty, smiling their thanks
through their tears.