Connecticut western news., 1911-01-05
HER JUDICIAL
 FRIEND By SARAH BRYCE VAUGHAN Copyright. 1910. by American Press
 Association.

Frankly, Amy. don't like hIa looks. He is not to be depended upon"
 "Oh, heavens."
 q am sorry I said it. Don't let 1t trouble you for an instant. You asked me for my opinion of him, not some one else's opinion. Try again; ask others. If they agree with me, drop him. If they do not, pay no attention to what I have said"
 That's just like you, Ruth. You have taken a wise course-a judicious course-I may say a judicial course. Men say that we women should never be judges or Jurymen. Your action disproves this. You have given me the benefit of your impressions, but have admonished me that unless get con- hrmatory evidence to pay no attention to them"
 ''I trust you will show yourself as worthy to receive them as you con- slider me worthy to give them"
 What do you meanr
 ''That you are under no considera- ton to reveal to your lover the fact that have even given you any opin- ion"
 Amy Brickwell thought a moment. then said, "I suppose shouldn't, so won't-that Is, if you won't let me"
 Certainly, won't let youl Do you. promiseT
 "Yes; promise"
 "If you tell, that will end our friend ship forever"
 Miss Brickwell asked a number of persons what they thought of her low CT, and not enc confirmed the opinion of her friend. Indeed, all those she consulted told her that they had been very much pleased with his personnel, and those who knew him spoke very highly of him. This lifted load from l her shoulders. She religiously kept faith with her friend, refraining from mentioning the matter between them l to her lover or any one else.
 But time came when she began to wonder If Ruth were not right, after all. The lover's calls became less and less frequent. He grew undemonstra- tive. There could be no doubt that he was preparing to throw off the chain that bound him to his flancee. One evening when he showed this disposl- ton she said to him: ..e
 "I was warned against you soon aft CT we became engaged"
 -"Who warned youT' ..'.
 '''I have promised not to tell that"
 ''Was your friend man or woman2" "Woman" .r.-. -.
 "Well, why didn't you take her ad- vice and shake me?"
 "The person who warned me was a very superior woman. After warning me she told me to get the opinion of others, and if they did not confirm hers I was to pay no attention to, what she had said. You see, she had judicial mind.". .. sr..
 "And you asked the othersf"
 "I did, but 1t turned out she knew better than they"
 "I should like to know the name of this judicial person."
 'That you can't know.r
 And you supposed. that the people you asked for their impressions of me, knowing that you were engaged to me- would tell you the truthT"
 'T asked them all to be frank"
 "Stupidw It's not pleasant to be called a fool Miss Brickwell pouted, but said noth- ing
 I'm going to tell you something" said her fiance. "I have heard reports about you that have needed investiga- tion. After q man is married he should scout evil reports about his wife; before marriage 1t is better that they should be cleared up. I'm going to make a confession as well. An old flame of mine has appeared on the scene, and I've been with her a great deal lately.'
 "You haveT'
 "Yes, I have, my reason being that I suspected she was the author of these reports about you. concluded to renew my devotion to her for de- tective purposes. I have found out nothing as yet, but I hope to soon. She supposes me to be on the eve of breaking with you and renewing my engagement to her"
 "The horrid thing! Who Is she?"
 'T am not just yet ready to teu you. may suspect her wrongtully. If so you will never know. But this person whose judicial talent you appreciate so highly-rm not going to ask you to break n promise but I'm going to mention the name of a woman I sus- pect. You need make no reply. I caught all the information l require without one. suspect Ruth Swain" The young lady started. q am confirmed ia the opinion" her lover ccn'i@ued that your judicial friend and my former fancee, who ex- rects soon t. Da r"-engagcd to me, are one and the same person."
 The girl q x. turned red, then pale. Her lover cIaS:,ed her In his Crms.
 "Swecthear.." he said, whether or 90 Miss Swan has a iudiciGl mind, you have noL 1t was hcr object to Iy-