The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-07-15
Copyright, 1909. by Joseph Medill
Patterson and Harriet Ford.

judith. please-please don't let's
quarrel about this"
The girl turned to him impulsively.
"Oh. Wheeler. we were on the
verge of 1t. weren't WEI" He cast
his arms around her. You're sorry.
aren't your" She looked fondly into
his face. And you will take back
that article. won't youT
You mustn't ask me to do that;
can't" looking at her earnestly.
You can'tY'
NO"
Judith drew away from him step
or two. She surveyed him coldly.
Wheeler, | came here thinking only
of my father, but | suddenly find my
self facing much more serious ques-
tion-not what kind of man he is
but what kind of man are you"
Brand was deeply cut by her manner
and her intonaton.
Judith. if you only knew the truth,
all of 1t, things | can't tell you. you'd
be With me heart and soul in what I'm
trying to do
He caught her in his arms again.
whatever I've done or whatever
| may do | love you" he insisted pas
sionately.
Judith showed equal fervor as she
said:
And you're more to me than my
father. but for my sake you mustn't
work against him. How could we
ever be happy together If you did?
You'll do this for me. Wheeler. just
this? | want you to carry out your
ideals and live up to your high pur-
poses in every other way, but you
must not attack him. Promise me
that you'll never do 1t again. Won't
you promise me that? And you'll re-
tract that article you had this MORN
ing. You'll do this for me, just this?'
"Judith-it's the truth-and. knowing
that, would you have me retract it"
yes"
81 can't"
Judith began to take Off the engage
ment ring Brand had given her.
You don't mean to do that"' he
cried In amaZement.
81 most certainly do"
He was almost frantic. He grasped
her hand
Il won't let you mean it. | can't let
you go without your ring. You may
be Judge Bartemy's daughter, but you
are going to be my wife. You've worn
my RUG for a month and you must
wear 1t forever"
The girl passed his passionate ap-
peal by without needing it. She tossed
back her pretty head defiantly. snatch
ed the ring from her finger and threw
1t on the managing EDITORS desk.
''I'll not wear it again. she exclaim-
ed resoutely, unless until you come
to your senses" So expressing herself.
she stalked majestically across the
room.
Judith called Brand in despera-
ton, fearing that she was about to
leave him.
"Will you do what l ask? she
queried imperiously.
~ cannot" he answered simply.
The judges daughter tossed her
head independently, caught her skirt
in her hand. turned her back swiftly
on Brand and walked Indignantly
from the room.
Wheeler Brand. dazed. heartsick
and discouraged and torn by the emo
lions that welled within him. leaned
helplessly against the desk. After all,
he reasoned, what did 1t all matter?
There were lots Of evil men In the
world. always had been, always would
be. What harm would 1t do If one dis
honest Judge were allowed to go I'M
molested. even If he happened to be
United States Judge? Surely there
were other dishonest judges, and he
could not drive all of them on the
bench-no indeed. And. moreover,
this thankless task he had shouldered
would If he succeeded rob him of the
girl he loved. II would rob him Of the
love of the girl who loved him.
Then the thought of the enthusiasm
that had buoyed him as be wrote the
story that had exposed Judge f'artel-
my came to him and chung to him The
inspiration in doing strong mans
work for the public good enthused the
spirit of Wheeler Brand, captured his
soul. The steady light burned once
more In his eyes tie shook himself
together fastened his old time grip on
himself AS for judith. he would do
his duty. and he would win her yet
When the managing editor of the Ad-
vance reenterpd his office and ed
briskly toward his desk he found
Wheeler Brand looking eagerly over a
notebook which. quite unknown TO Nc
Henry. contained the data for an ar
ticle on the Lansing Iron case even
more damaging to Judge Bartelmy than
the one already printed
well. did you settle it," asked Nc
Henry.
Brand looked up and started toward
the door.
Eyes. SIR" he answered, and he was
gone
AT this juncture Downs. the city ed
itor. came into the managing editors
room. He addressed McHenry rapidly.