The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-02

the quarrel had been OF long standing.
This was very exciting 70 hear about vet
I didn't enjoy talking Of it as the other
girls did
Only when I was alone, with hot cheeks
and anxious eyes. read through the long
accounts that flled the papers, hoping to
find some word in his favor. j seemed
10 me that the whole city was against
Johnny MONTGOMERY The Bulletin had
stories OF another shooting down South.
though it appeared that that time he had
been the one who was shot at: and OF
how he had lost his money in land specu-
lations Of a doubtful character. The Alta
California called aim a rebel. and said
that his career had been "a demoralizinr
Influence 10 the youth OF the city"
Though. on the other hand, it called Mr..
Rood our esteemed and lamented citizen,
which was puzzling 10 me. for he was
only gambling-house keeper whom none
Of the best men in town was friendly
with. But the papers spoke very warmly
Of him; called Mrs. Rood ST.. his sor-
rowing mother. and then they men
/ toned the Spanish woman They said
she had been in love with Rood. and that
]
called a memory OF what father had told
me when I first asked him about the
I Spanish woman-that she had money and
! Influence IN high places-and I wondered
What that influence could do to Johnny
. Montgomery's case. Altogether I was
/ much disturbed. I hated 10 ask oues-
/ tions Of father he had been so dis
/ tressed over my part IN the affair; and
/ besides he had been very busy that
/ week. so many men interviewing him
, wren he was at hOme-Mr. Dingley and
/ others, who were not elegant but very
ousinesslike-that I hardly saw him ex-
| cept al meals. Once or twice I had
caught him, when he thought I wasn't
/ looking, watching me with an anxious
/ and harassed expression. but most OF the
/ time he was preoccupled.
/ On the morning OF the fourth dav after
/ the shooting. as I sat at breakfast r
took up the paper and read that the trial
/ OF the People versus John Montgomery
was set for the last week OF Nav
/ glanced down the column and a sentence
: caught my eye. 1T is said the prosecu-
\ ton IS in possession Of sensational evil
/ dence, which will materially affect the
/ aspect Of the case" / sat for some min
/ utes with the paper in my hand. listen
/ ing 10 it rustic. gathering my courage.
Father. 1 finally said 30 you think
that Mr.. Montgomery is really wicked"
/ He looked over at me with that smile
/ OF his which is most serious. My dear
/ child, / am not Almighty Cod"
/ But you know what I mean I pro-
tested. THE papers have been saving
/ such nice things about Mr.. Rood. but YOU
/ yourself once said he was an Insidious
4 and pernicious influence in the commu-
nifty and the papers are printing such
\ dreadful things about Johnny Montgor-
/ cry! They are telling all sorts OF stories
sabout him-that he has been in shooting
scrapes and dishonorable business deals.
and-and horrible things I ended rather
! uncertainty.
/ oh no doubt he hasn't been such a
/ bad fellow" father said. passing his
\ cup for coffee. las far as his land oper-
/ atoms are concerned. I know for a fact
that the 'dishonOrable dealing the Bull
/ letin talks about was all on the side OF
! the men who got his money. But YOU
see he would go into the deal in spite
! OF the advice OF the executor Of the es-
l tate, antagonized all his fathers friends
/ -plucked the Roman senators by the
boards. as Il were-so. Of course. they
were ready 20 believe the worst Of him.
Then he went badly into debt. and ac-
cumulated too many creditors 10 be pop
uiar. But Rood. you see. always had
money. always kept his escapades quiet.
and was very liberal to the city. He
has given a deal 10 different public in
stitutions. They can't do otherwise than
lpraise him"
He took up his letters and began 10
open them with a paper-knife
But" I said. they say Mr. Mont
gomery has been engaged TO a girI for
her money"
Father threw back his head and laugh
ed can never tell when I am going 70
amuse him
Engaged 10 a girl for her money!
That's the worst thing on his list.
suppose, ell, Enie?" Before he finished
the sentence he was almost grave again.
Il know where you got that informa-
ton" He shook the Paper-knife at me.
"Women's gossip is an invention OF the
devil, Don't listen 10 IT, The poor fell
low has enough real counts 10 be &C
Cused on. God knows"
He said the last words with such an
emphasis as did away with all the COM
fort his explanation had brought me.
did not dare to press him further;
was afraid I might hear worse
He sat moment frowning down at
the tablecloth; then, How would YOU
like 70 so down TO the ranch for a week
or so?' he inquired.
Alone" I asked.
Well I viii go down with you. and
stay as long as I can. Abby. OF course.
will be there all the while The colts are
to be broken in next week-that will be
worth seeing: and no doubt the flowers
will be beautiful"
I said I would like to-though, indeed.
I did not at all care. I was not thinking
of flowers. After father had left the
house I went upstairs 10 my room; and.
first locking the door and drawing the
curtains close. because I did not want
even my climbing white rose to see me,
I took out my new bracelet and clasped
it--one gold band around each wrist with
it's chain swinging between-and closed
my eyes and holding my wrists out.
drew them apart until the chain jerked
and stopped them-to see just how Il felt!
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.
BLUEFIELD WITHOUT FUNDS.