The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-08
THE EVENING STORY
The Court of Last Resort.
(By Lawrence t. Berliner.)

had chosen for an office and living
room, he gave a sigh of relief. The
first step in his career had been taken.
Smith was a lawyer. An indulgent
parent, 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 had ask
ed his fathere.
.'Never mind Webb" had been his
reply. I'VE are overrun with bud
ding lights and diploma bred attor-
neys here. You get out where no one
ever heard of a 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 prac-
tice the arts of one Blackstone.
Blairville had never had a full
blooded attorney at law before. There
was Squire Brown, a kindly old mag
istrate who dispensed justice and war
rants at so much per head. No thought
of ever questioning a decision of the
| squire ever entered the heads of the
simple country folk.
The advent of Webster Smith, At
torney at Law, as the sign read, was
duly noted in the weekly Telegraph"
commented on around the cracker bar
rel at Deacon Jones's grocery and then
forgotten.
Time went on as it had habit of
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 a small town, could avoid
it?
There was Sadie Brown, the squire's
only daughter miss of long stand
ing, who always kept a watchout for
strangers, in hopes of annexing hus-
band, despite her advancing years.
Theresa Perkins was another kind
ly soul who took it upon herself to
look out for the welfare of strangers.
Her pity was also for purpose. Mat
rimony was the goal she would reach.
The attorney with the ordinary name
treated all the damsels with politeness,
steadily declined any invitations and
spent most of his time reading de-
cisions Of the higher courts.
Then Betty Sloan came to town. She
was visiting the Turner's, up on the
pike road BIairville at once became
Interesting to the barrister, and he
pondered on a way to get acquainted.
Betty as a typical summer girl.
When Smith first saw her she was
dressed in a fluffy pink gown.
This at once scored for Miss Betty,
for Webster Smith had a decided lik-
ing for pink. 1t had been his favor
tie color at college, and some had gone
so far as to call him Pinkey.
1t was hot, dusty August morning.
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 a knock on one
of the porch posts while voice,
rather timidly was saying: 81 beg
pardon, is this Mr.. Smith,
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. won't you step into
the office %
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 business"
Her words brought him back to
earth. She had come to consult him
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 client must confide in her lawyer,
I have been told commenced Betty,
with an arch glance at the attorney
before her; $50 first Of all 1 have
confession to make"
Miss Sloan. is it necessary" in
terrupted 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
a married woman. Time and again
| had he thought of her, a pink slip of
| girl. and now she told him she was
"You Sc Mr. Smith. have been
living up here with the Turner's for
some time; in fact, long enough to
establish a residence with them for
| vorce' AS she said the last word,
she lowered her voice to whisper,
and looked young Smith straight in
| the eyes.
What she saw seemed to please
Betty Sloan greatly, for she would
have been accused of laughing if
Smiths eyes had their usual shrewd-
ness. which was lacking at this
moment.
Yves. Mr.. Smith 1 want a divorce.
| 1 have tolerated his abuse and cruelty
as long as human endurance can, and
/ I am tired of it. My folks and his
relatives have interposed. but they
have failed. Therefore, I have come
to the court of last resort, you, law
yer" she said.
| webster Smith was coming to him
self. It was not so bad as it might
| have been. Even though she were
married, he might be able to secure
| a divorce and wed her himself.
[ Such evil thoughts could not dwell
| in the mind of an honest person, and
| the lawyer put them away. He would
treat the case as he had planned.
Personalities must not count.
He requested her to explain fully
all the facts of the case residence of
/ her husband, his full name and every
| thing niece ssary.
AS Betty leaned over her flushed
face near his own, Smith felt great
pity for her wrongs. and vowed that