Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-13
The EVENING STORY.
THE COURT OF LAST RESORT.
BY LAWRENCE T. BERL1NER.

4 = = i
BY LAWRENCE T. BERLINER.
Copyright, 1910, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)
When Webster Smith placed his
sign outside the door of the cottage
he had chosen for an Office and Nv
ing room, he gave sigh OF relief. the
first step in his career had been taken.
I Smith was lawyer. An indulgent
parent, a leading member OF the bar
Of a nearby city was responsible for
Smiths residence in the suburban
village.
what the deuce will they want Of
a lawyer out there, dad?" he mad
asked his father.
Never mind, Webb" had been ms
reply. 1--WE are overrun with bud
ding lights and diploma-bred attor-
neys here. You get out where no one
ever heard of lawyer named SMITH
and let's see what's in you"
So the newly admitted member OF
the bar had come to the little place,
more to satisfy his father than to
pra ctice the arts of one Blackstone.
Blairville had never had 1utl-
blooded attorney-at-law before. Tnere
was Squire Brown, kindly old mag.
istrate. who dispensed justice anu
warrants at so much per head. NO
thought of ever questioning a decl,
sion of the squire ever entered the
heads of the simple country folk.
The advent of Webster Smith, At.
as the sign read, was
duly noted in the weekly Telegraph.
commented on around the cracker
barrel at Deacon Jones's grocery ana
then forgotten.
Time went on as it had a habit OIL
doing and the attorney still waited
his first client.
Repeatedly, he had Travelled TO town
to inform his father that the simple
life. was too wearisome for him to
bear longer.
Webster had become acquainted
What good looking young man, a
stranger in small town could ayolH
it.
There was Sadie Brown. the 'squire's
only daughter, miss of long stand
ing, who always kept watch on
for strangers, in hopes Of annexing g
husband, despite her advancing years.
Theresa Perkins was another kind
ly soul who took it upon herself 10
look out for the welfare Of strangers.
Her pity was also for purpose. Mat
rimony was the goal she would recah-
The attorney with the ordinary
name treated all the damsels with
politeness, steadily declined any in
vitations and spent most of his time
reading decisions of the higher
courts.
Then Betty Sloan came to town. She
was visiting the Turner's. up on the
pike road Blairville at once became
interesting to the barrister and ne
pondered on way to get acquainted
Betty was a typical summer Gil.
When Smith first saw her she was
dressed in fluffy pink gown.
This at once scored for Miss Betty,
for Webster Smith had decided lik-
in,; for pink. It had been his favorite
color at college and some had gone SO
far as to call him Pinkey.
It was hot. dusty August morn.
ing. Seeking cool nook. the young
lawyer had ensconsed himself in a
hammock on the porch Of his office. a
fan in one hand and magazine in the
other.
Evidently the story had not proved
very interesting, for he was aroused
from his slumber by knock on one
of the porch posts, while a voice
rather timidly. was saying: 81 beg
pardon. is this Mr.. Smith? 2"
Smith hastily leaped from the ham.
mock and bowed low to the vision In
pink before him, and whom he at
once recognized as Betty Sloan.
webster Smith, at your service!
he exclaimed. Wont you step into
the Officer
81 would much prefer to sit out
here where it is cool and shady. Mr.
Smith, she replied. "You see have
come to consult you on legal busl.
ness"
Her words brought him back 10
earth. She had come to consult him
on legal business. His first case!
Smith could not bring his senses to.
gether to figure out what kind of a
case she could have for him.
He brought out his large Office
chair.
"A cllSll IDuol COHHuo III HCi 10 "
yer, I have been told.'' commenced
Betty, with an arch glance at the at,
torney before her, $50 first Of all
have a confession to make"
Miss Sloan, is it necessary
Interrupted the young man.
The young woman waved her hand
for him to stop. and said slowly,
THAT'S just it, every one here calls
me Miss Sloan when they should
say 'Mrs!''
what" gasped the astounded
man. All his day dreams had slipped
away in that explanation. Betty was
married woman. Time and again
had he thought Of her, a pink slip
of girl, and now she told him she
was-married.
''You see, Mr.. Smith, lave been
living up here with the Turner's for
some time; in fact, long enough to
establish residence with them for
an express purpose. | want di
vorce. AS she said the last word
she lowered her coice to a whisper
and looked young Smith straight in
the eyes.
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