The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-04-14

Il out alone. azd when. several hours
later. he passed them comfortably set
lied In rustic seat under the trees.
Roe decided that Holland must be
more persuasive out OF court than In
q.
Weeks had slipped by. and one bright
Sunday morning found Russell Roe in
HIS white fiannels and Ida In her
dainuest summer frocks, arguing in
the sun parlor.
But Miss Ida, it's rank injustice. {"
he was saying. Its the meanest kind
OF trick to go over TO the other side.
l never would have classed you with
/ the traitors"
But I'm not a traitor" answered
, Ida blushing. Il think lawyers on the
whole, and one or two individually
are mean lot. Why, their whole
stock seems to be calling people hard
names. Mr.. Holland accused me of
prevaricating and now you call about
and call me a traitor"
Well, Will you go rowing with me
this afternoon or won't your" asked
Roe with somewhat legal tone.
1t is not a question of whether l
will or not my dear Mr.. Roe" said
Ida. Il simply cannot; 1 have an
other engagement"
umphant air with tae LAWYER for
that other side; with tnat mean, des-
picable little HOLLAND 4 man who
stoops to accuse a .,o an of an un-
truth; man who sto, i.5 to steal wit
nesses; a thief, "a"
L refuse to listen to .ou. Mr.. Roe"
hared Ida, and she IT, I'd and left
Roe in his wicker chair 20 finish his
cigar in solitude.
Roes face did not take on a very dis
consulate look. Indeed. a casual OBJ
server would have said it was over
spread with a look of absolute content
ment. And later in the afternoon.
when he saw Ida Graves and his best
friend, Hugo Holland, making their
way toward the wharf, the expression
of Roe's face was still that of great
satisfaction.
The twilight shadows fell about
them and conversation had Jagged
Letting the boat drift slowly where the
tide chose to take it, Hugo leaned for
ward and gazed into his companions
face.
Let's play court" suggested Hol-
land.
All right" agreed Ida, I'll be the
Judge"
Not at ALL" demonstrated Hugo.
You've had no experience in that line.
You will be the witness in the chair"
Well, all right; but what are you
going to be-" asked Ida, somewhat
bewildered.
%" said Holland, with great au-
| thority. I'll be all the rest. I'm the
judge, the jury and the lawyer for
both sides. Now, you're on the stand.
! and under oath, remember"
Promise you won't ask me how old
l am nor what l do for a living. -
| laughed Ida.
Il am now talking to the Judge" he
began, and turning to the imaginary
figure he continued; You see the &C
cused. Hugo Lawrence Holland, is des-
perately in love with the plaintiff. Ida
| Graves"
20. Mr.. Holland" interrupted Ida.
Il really do not think"
Order in the court" roared Holland.
Then looking directly at Ida, he said ::
will you listen TO this suit Of Holland
for your heart and hand?"
Ida laughed. The situation was ir-
resistible.
1T seems that | must-whether l
will or not"
The one bad feature of the case is
the existence Of a two-legged beast"
continued Holland. "one Russell Roe
Looking directly at the witness he said.
DO you love this monstrosity?"
Certainly not" asserted Ida
The entire court seemed greatly re-
lieved.
"On your oath?" added Holland.
ON my oath?" repeated Ida
"And-and-" The counsel seemed
to hesitate. He had lost his grip in
some manner. Finally after much
hating he asked:
And this man. this one Hugo Hol-
land. do you care for him-just the
least little bit?"
Ida looked at him for a moment
and then with a merry twinkle in her
merry big eyes, she said, please let
me be the judge-just for a minute -
"Al right" said Holland, as he
gripped an oar for support
"Ahem," began Ida, with judiciary
manner. II think this case should be
settled out of court. 1t seems to me
that the plaintiff and the defendant
can make satisfactory arrangements
without the aid of outside parties"