Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1911-01-19

II who am the sufferer in this sad AZ
fair-the names you shall have
Thomas R. Billings and wife and
Henry X. Jessup, the man with whom
she is infatuated"
Client number three laid his hand
upon Mr.. Gooch's arm. Deep emotion
was written upon his careworn face.
For heavens sake" he said, fervent-
ly, help me In this hour OF trouble.
Seek out Mrs. Billings, and persuade
her to abandon this distressing pur-
suit of her lamentable folly. Tell her,
Mr.. Gooch, that her husband Is willing
to receive her back to his heart and
home-promise her anything that will
induce her to return. have heard of
your success In these matters. Mrs.
Billings cannot be very far away /
am worn out with travel and weari-
ness. Twice during the pursuit saw
her, but various circumstances pre-
vented our having an interview. Will
you undertake this mission for me,
Mr.. Gooch, and earn my everlasting
gratitude?"
at is true" said Lawyer Gooch,
frowning slightly at the others last
words, but Immediately calling up an
expression of virtuous benevolence,
that on a number of occasions have
been successful in persuading couples
who sought the severing of their mat
rimonial bonds to think better of their
rash intentions and return to their
homes reconciled. But assure you
that the work is often exceedingly diff
ficult. The amount of argument, per-
severance, and, If may be allowed to
say it, eloquence that 1t requires would
astonish you. But this is a case in
which my sympathies would be wholly
enlisted l feel deeply for you, sir,
and would be most happy to see hus-
band and wife reunited. But my time"
concluded the lawyer, looking at his
watch as II suddenly reminded Of the
fact. "is valuable"
81 am aware of that" said the client,
"and If you will take the case and per-
suade Mrs. Billings to return home
and leave the man alone that she Is
following-on that day / will pay you
the sum of one thousand dollars.
have made a little money In real es-
tate during the recent boom In Susan
Vile, and will not begrudge that
amount"
Retain your seat for a few mo-
ments, please" said Lawyer Gooch,
arising, and again consulting his
watch. 81 have another client wait
ing in an adjoining room whom l had
very nearly forgotten. will return
In the briefest possible space"
The situation was now one that full
ly satisfied Lawyer Gooch's love Of in
tricacy and complication. He reveled
in cases that presented such subtle
problems and possibilities. 1t pleased
him to think that he was master Of the
happiness and fate of the three indi-
viduals who sat, unconscious Of one
another's presence, within his reach.
His old figure of the ship glided into
his mind. But now the figure failed,
for to have filed every compartment
endanger her safety; while here, with
his compartments full, his ship Of af-
fairs could but saili on to the advan-
tageous port of a fine, fat fee. The
thing for him to do of course, was to
wiring the best bargain he could from
some one Of his anxious cargo.
First he called to the office boy:
Lock the outer door, Archibald and
admit no one" Then he moved, with
long, silent strides into the room in
which client number one waited That
gentleman sat, patiently scanning the
pictures in the magazine, with a cigar
In his mouth and his feet upon a table.
"Well," he remarked, cheerfully, as
the lawyer entered, have you made
up your mind? Does five hundred dol
lars go for getting the fair lady d.
vorce?"
You mean that as a retainer"
asked Lawyer Gooch, softly interroga-
tive.
Hey? No; for the whole job. It's
enough, amt it?"
my fee," said Lawyer Gooch,
would be one thousand five hundred
dollars. Five hundred dollars down,
and the remainder upon issuance OF
the divorce"
A loud whistle came from client
number one His feet descended to,
the floor.
Guess we can't close the DEAL" he
said arising. II cleaned up five hun
dred dollars in little real estate dick
er down in Susanville. I'd do any
thing could to free the lady, but 1t
out-sizes my pile"
Gould you stand one thousand two
hundred dollars?" asked the lawyer.
insinuatingly,
Five hundred is my limit, tell you.
Guess III have to hunt up a cheaper
lawyer" The client put on his hat.
"Out this way, please" said Lawyer
Gooch, opening the door that led into
the hallway.
AS the gentleman flowed out of the
compartment and down the stairs,
Lawyer Gooch smiled to himself. Exit