Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-02-18

tHTNETass as tltN dlI'Viieu "iouSeu tuc
go suspicious of both the judge
and his lobbyist satellite. However,
they little imagined the pronounced
seriousness Of the conversation they
had interrupted. In the mind of each
ran The thought that the Advances
proprietor and his editor had been dis
cussing the proposal 10 elect Nolan to
the Oak Door ella. Even failure i'll
this laudable venture they would have
considered Il serious setback. but prob
ably had they All intima,iou regarding
the story Brand wanted to write and
the effort that WAS 10 be made 10 de-
tect the judge in Offering Il money
bride they would have exhibited less of
the easy assurance that marked their
re-entrance Into he draWin@ room.
Mr. Nolan. I'm afraid ! must he go
ing" said Bartemy. Il hope to sac
you at my house snop. and yen. to-.
Wheeler"
Nolan rose from his chair.
Judge. can you spare me few mo-
mentS:" put in Brand rpSolutely.
The Judge gave look of surprise.
. Certainly. my boy; certainly. viii
you excuse me-" turning to Nolan.
Nolan, surprised at the readiness Of
Brand to begin on the plan to entrap
Bartelmy, readily assented and pro-
ceeded into the library with Dupuy.
well. Wheeler. what can l do for
you?" asked Judith's father.
The young man stepped close to the
other and faced him squarely.
Judge, how about your latest de-
cision in the Lansing Iron case today"
he asked.
Bartelny started back in surprise.
lit was In accordance with the stat
utes and the constitution" he finally
said
The supreme court of the United
States was at variance with you in a
similar case" advised Brand.
Sir" Indignantly. Il decline to dis
cuSs out of court questions relating to
my conduct on the bench"
The Judge moved rs though 10 go.
"You weren't so particular this morn
ing"
Bartelmy began to lose his confident,
easy pose.
Il fail to comprehend YOU" he an
swered.
Early this morning, between !
o'clock and g." went OIL the unrelenting
editor.
The judge turned his head to one
side and tugged nervously at his gray
beard.
"A reporter for the Advance saw you
come out of your house at four MN
utes to | and walk TO a house ON
Washington avenue that belongs TO the
attorney for the Lansing Iron corpora
ton"
Bartelmy turned his back on Brand.
O furtive look coming into his eyes as
he did So
You knocked al the servants door.
Judge" continued the editor. This
man admitted you. One hour and fifty
seven minutes later you left that house
by the same door and returned home
RAPIDLY OH foot You kept your coat
collar turned up. and. contrary to your
usual custom. you wore siouched nat
pulled dowO over your eyes. Half an
hour later Dupuy came out of the same
house Ten hours later you handed
down your decision reversing Oh a
technicaity the Judgment of the lower
court In the Lansing Iron case ana
freezing out the small stockholders in
favor Of the insiders, as usual Those.
Judge Bartelmy. are my factsr"
Bartelmy made Il desperate effort to
retain his self control and to command
his ability to think clearly and effec-
lively in this dire emergency. At last
he spoke after infinitely scrutinizing
the accusing figure Of Brand before
him.
ITS easily explained, Mr.. Brand"
he said in hOneyed tones. Its lie;
that is all it is. Your reporter lied"
~ was the reporter" exclaimed the
accuscr in Il supremacy contemptuous
manner, and as he spoke he wondered
and marvelpd that such a man us the
betrayer. Bartelmy, could be the IA
Their of such q girl as Judith-Judlth,
whom he was even now, he was con-
WINGED. putting away from his arms
and his love for all time.
The false judge paled. His mouth
became parchPd. Had he not leaned
against chair for support it is likely
that his knees would not have retained
enough strength to hold him up. The
Zig was up. Plainly the end was in
sight. Indeed. it had already arrived
uness-unleSs- Yes, there was one
POSSIBLE way out-if Brand would lis
ten to the proposal. Listen? Every
man had his price. Dupuy had told
him so. He knew it anyway, and
Brand was poor. He was ambitious
too. All, reasoned the false judge.
,ndt is dangerous combination-pov-
erty and ambition Few could over
come it honestly; few ever had. ever
would. And am rich
well. what do you propose to do?"
he asked Of Brand. putting it up to
the other man to lead the conversation
at this point, just as clever tactician
should.
THAT depends" answered Brand
doubtfully. trihe weakly, sinking
thoughtfully into chair beside Ia
BILE.
Bartelmy detected at once the note
of doubt and weakness in Brands re-
ply and questioned to himself what it
might portcnd.
"On what!" asked the Judge careful