The Dolores star., 1912-02-09


make her happy. Il 10 q Wild and fool.
ish seif-deception that makes her
think he will. Her husband. In spite
Of their many disa&reements. 10 the
only one capable Of dealing with her
sensitive and peculiar nature. hut
this she does not realize now"
Would you consider . divorce the
logical cure In the case you present."
asked Lawyer Gooch, who felt that the
conversation was wandering too far
from the field Of business.
"A divorced" exclaimed the client,
feelingly-almost tearfully. No, no
not that. I have read. Mr.. Gooch, OF
many instances where your sympathy
and kindly interest led you to act a. q
mediator between estranged husband
and wife. and brought them together
again. Let us drop the hypothetical
'nse-I need conceal no longer that Il
IL who am the sufferer In this sad A.
fair-the names you shall have
Thomas r. Billings and wife-and
Henry X. Jessup. the man with whom
she Is infatuated"
SHeHt uuuibeT tHTee ihiu MS mana
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.
MIR. Gooch. that her husband 10 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. VIII
you undertake this mission for me.
Mr.. Gooch. and earn my everlasting
gratitude"
1T Is true" said Lawyer Gooch.
frownins slightly at the others last
words. but Immediately calling up an
expression OF virtuous benevolence.
that IN q number OF occasions I have
been successful In persuadiBg couples
who sought the severing Of their mat.
rinonial bonds 10 think better Of their
rash intentions and return to their
homes reconciled. But ! assure you
that the work Is often exceedingly DIT
ncult. The amount OF argument. per.
! severance. and, II may be allowed to
! say II. eloquence that II requires would
asto-ish you. But this In . case In
which my sympathies would be wholly
enlisted. I feel deeply for you. sir,
and would be most happy 10 see hus-
band and wtfe rs.nited. But my time
concluded the lawyer. looking At his
watch as II suddenly reminded Of the
fact. lis valuable"
Il am aware OF that" said the client,
and II you will take the case and per.
suade Mrs Billings TO return home
and leave the man alone that she 10
foliowing-on that day I will pay you
the sum OF one thousand dollars. I
tate during the recent boom In Susan
Vile. and I will not begrudge that
amount"
Retain your seat for q few mo-
ments, please" said Lawyer Gooch.
arising. and again consulting his
watch. u have another client walt.
ing In an adjoining room whom ] 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. II pleased
him to think that he was master OF the
happiness and fate Of the three indi.
viduaIs who sat. unconscious Of one
another's presence. within his reach.
His old figure Of the ship glided into
his mind. But now the fgure failed,
for to have nlled every compartment
Of an actual vessel would have been to
endanger her safety: while here, with
his compartments full. his ship Of II.
fairs could but saili on to the advan-
tageous port Of a dne. 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 once 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 cigar
In his mouth and his feet upon table.
Well" he remarked, cheerfuily. a.
the lawyer entered. have you made
up your mind! Does Eve hundred dol.
lars go for getting the fair lady a.
vorcef"
You mean that n . retainer,'
asked Lawyer Gooch. softly interrogs-
tive. - 2 Doe. fs5FfFtg,
"Hsyf No: for the whole Job. It's
enough. amt tf"'~t., NJ. ~.
MY tee." said Lawyer Gooch.
would BE- one fhousand I'VE hundred
dollars Five hundred dollars down.
and the remainder upon issuance ~
the divorce" @ze -te- "a,
A loud whistle came from client