The Washington herald., 1910-08-05
CHAPTER Iv-COntinued.

@HS1 were III olvue down there Wleu
mad gone upstairs. 1 went to sleep
I was walked up in the very early morn
ing by quarreling voices. and before I
was wide awake l heard a pistol shot
I ran down the stairs and back into the
back OF the house. as I do when there is
trouble, and wait until 1 think it is
over. Then. after listening awhile.
everything perfectly quiet. I go out into
the bar where I left them and It was
empty; but on the floor I see a pistol:
look at it and it is discharged; then I
go into the other rooms. no one. Then
I hear the crowd crying. look out the
door-there / see him.
1t seemed TO me I couldn't bear to hear.
any more, and I STOPPED my ears until
l saw the lawyer for the prosecution sit
down. But as soon as he was down the
lawyer for the defense was on his feet.
and had begun asking a lot OF questions
that seemed to me very foolish, and
very little concerned with Johnny Mont
gomery. Then. without seeming 10 have
made any point at all, Mr. Jackson sat
down; the Mexican came down from the
witness stand. the judge left his place
and went out through a door At the
back, and man who had been hover
ing on the outskirts Of the lawyers
table. hurried TO Mr. Dingley. and
whispered something 10 him. Instead OF
coming over 70 speak 10 US, as ] had
expected. Mr. Dingley went hastily out
OF the room. Father left me 10 speak
to man on the other side Of the court;
and, among all the standing and walking
and going out. ohnny Montgomery and
were the only ones who sat quite still
AS set I saw him in profile He was
leaning toward, his elbows on the table:
now and then he ran his fingers through
his hair. Once I thought he was going
to drop his head IN his hands: but after
an instants dropping he threw it up
sharply with a sort OF shake that tossed
che long locks out OF his eyes. and faced
around IN his chair and saw me He
didn't seem surprised at finding me there.
! coTldn't be sure that he had not known
just where I was all the while; but
though he looked al me so steadily II
was not. somehow. like a stare He did
not look at me quite as II I were a
human being. but as Il I were a statute
or a picture He was the one who
turned away Then 1 sat looking at
the back Of his head.
There was a murmur Of talk all
through the room. but above il I heard
two men behind me greeting each other
One said, well what's the game? Is
she a stricken widow or q hopeful
hancee?"
"A little OF both. I guess. the other
answered. She's been pretty good 10
ROOd-ten years-but he was gettig gray
and fat, and the fair Carlotta herself Is
nearing the age when a woman begins
to yearn for beauty and youth There
one thing I viii say for her though. she
seems TO be hard hit I never saw the
man Carlotta would turn her little finger
over for before. and she's going in for
acquittal with all she's got"
It's scandslous, that's what Il isv'
heard the first speaker bring down
his fist on his oSfn palm.
"Oh, don't know the other said
Il think it's pretty decent Of her, and
she may manage il. Great is Carlotta,"
They moved away. and sat still. star
ing stupidity az the back Of Johnny Mont
gomery's head. The cool callous tones OF
the men knocked on my heart like blows
was amazed at the familiar way they
spoke OF the Spanish woman. in spite Of
all her dignity. and commanding beauty:
but 10 hear them speaking Of Johnny
Montgomery as II he belonged to her was
intolerable. It was ridiculousi OF course
1t might be that she was interested in
his case. might even be in love with him;
but that he should care for her
was so unnerved that I didn't notice
fathers temperance until he leaned
over and touched my arm.
You VIII probably De called next ne
said. Then he must have felt me trem-
bling and supposed it TO be nervousness.
Remember. for the hcror Of the family"
he whispered. smiling,
The lawyers and the men who had
been writing were all coming back TO
their places and then Mr.. Dingley hur-
ried in. and down the aisle to where we
were.
My dear Fred. he began: and then
couldn't hear any more. because he
pulled father by the arm until they stood
a little father of from me. where they
talked very earnestly for some moments.
Father looked perfectly disguised t
Next time. be very sure before you
order our presence in court" he said as
he came back TO his chair II am cap
able Of great disagreeableness as you
know"
Mr.. Dingley smiled and rubbed his
hands. and said these little unexpected
things would turn up. Then. as the
judge was coming into the room. he
FASTENED back into his place. Father
threw his coat over his arm and said.
Come along. Ellie"
What is the natter" asked.
"Oh. one OF their internal technical
bitches. After insisting on your presence
this morning, your testimony is not re-
quired."
Il got up very slowly. I couldn't re-
sist sending one glance toward where
Johnny Montgomery was sitting, and as
did so he turned his head II was the
same quiet gaze he had given me be-
fore. 1t must have been only my fancy
that saw something wistfal in It; but I
hated to so. I felt as II I were leaving
him alone In the hands OF his enemies.
--------------