The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-01-26
CHAPTER w.

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The richly decorated reception
rooms, brilliantly illuminated with
soft incandescent lights artistically
arranged behind banks of flowers,
were filled with people. In the air
was the familiar buzz always present
in a room where each person is trying
to speak at the same time. On all
sides one heard fragments of inept
conversation.
SO good Of you to come. How well
you're looking, my dear"
My husband2 Oh, he's at the club.
playing poker, az usual. He hates
music"
I've such a terrible coldl"
Trouble with servants? I should
say so. bounced my cook this morn
ing"
Aren't these affairs awfully tire
some?"
Il was so glad to come. I always
enjoy your musicales."
DR.. Bernstein coming? How per-
fectly delightful. I'll ask him for his
autograph"
What's psychology"
Something to do with religion. 1
think"
Haven't we been having dreadful
Eeather?'
Il saw you at the opera
Doesn't she look sweet?"
''oh, think it's just IeveIy."
People now arrived in quick sscces-
sion and. forming little groups, the
room soon presented an animated
scene. The women in their smart
gowns and the men in their black
coats made pleasing picture.
My dear Mrs. Jeffries, how do you
do this EVENING"" exclaimed a rich,
deep voice.
The hostess turned to greet an ell
derby and distinguished looking man
who had just entered. Directly he
came in voices were hushed, and on
every side one heard the whisper:
There's Judge Brewster. the IA
nous lawyer"
There was a general craning of
necks to catch glimpse OF the emf
nent iurist whose brilliant address to
the jury in a recent cause celebre
had saved an innocent man from the
electric chair.
Richard Brewster was a fine ex-
ample of the old school statesman
lawyer of the Henry Clay type. He
belonged to that small class of public
men who are Independent of all
coteries, whose only ambition is to
serve their country well, who know
no other duty than that dictated by
their oath and conscience. A bril-
liant and forceful orator. there was
no office in the gift of the nation that
might not have been his for the ask.
ing, but he had no taste for politics.
After serving with honor for some
years on the bench he retired into
private practice, and thereafter his
name became one to conjure with in
the law courts. BY sheer power of
bis matchless oratory and unanswer-
able logic he won case after case for
his clients and it is a tribute to his
name to record the plain fact that in |
all his career he never championed a |
cause of which he need be ashamed. |
Powerful financial interests had at. |
tempted to secure his services by of. |
fers of princely retainers, but with
out success. He fought the trusts bit.
terly every time he found them op-
pressing his profession.
Alicia advanced with extended hand. |
This is indeed kind, Judge" she ex.
claimed with gracious smile. Il
hardly dared hope that my poor must
Gale would be so honored.'
The old lawyer smiled good-humor-
sdly as he replied CALAMITY;
Il don't know much about music,
nm; l came to see YOU" Looking
around he added: You've got a nice
place here
He spoke in his characteristic man
ner-short. nervous, explosive SEN
fences, which had often terrified his
opponents in court
Lawyers are such fiatterers,"
aughed Alicia as she nervously famed
lerself, and looked around to see If
Ter guests were watching.
Lawyers only fatter when they
want to-" interrupted Mr.. Jeffries,
yho rad Just joined the group.
A..sIa turned to greet new arrival
md the lawyer continued chatting
With his host
Il suppose you'n take a rest now,
Ettar ar splendid victory" said the
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