The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-05-03

relaxed in brief smile.
Don't see no marks on him,
Artie," commented old Pop" after
looking at Dan with exaggerated in
terest. With dozen words he had
turned the case from near-tragedy
to farce.
"Well-ah, had my gloves on" ex-
planned the flustered Pine. At nod
from Bunty he hastily stepped out OF
the witness seat
That's our case, your honor" an
nounced Shinn.
Amt you goin' to swear Miss
Soule?" queried Slear. blandly. lie
nodded to where the complainant sat
between her bulldozing uncle and her
thin, harried-looking aunt.
Heretofore the girl had hidden the
discoloration of her face beneath her
handkerchief. Now she gripped tbs
arns of her chair Indignantly. her
hunt forgotten. a slow flush rose IN
her cheeks. She faced ShinE as 4
awaiting the summons.
But the peoples lawyer ayoidss her
glance. No" he eplied. firmly, we
eave made our ease with Mr.. Pine
Pop smiled, shook his head at
iiella and called Dan Welcome
The, noisy courtroom, camping on
sofas from which springs protruded;
on wobbly chairs and uncomfortable
piano stools, paid the prisoner tie
tribute OF profound silence as he
| strobe to the witness box. He vas
broad-shouldered young fellow,
whose red-brown hair ran in erinkly
confusion from a good forehead
How about it. DAM" as.ed pop"
Slear, conversationally. Go back a
ways, so the jury will understand"
Il guess folks know l don't tight
women began Welcome. Least of
all, Bella Soule. I've liked her since
we We're kids. We We're engaged till
this Pine came here six months ago.
Bella's uncle got stuck on him be-
cause he wears a white shirt week
days. He thought l wasn't good
enough because | drive a team lie
lied about me to her-yes, you did,
Sam" addressing his remarks to the
black-browed uncle, who had growled
in dissent
HE wouldn't let me come to the
house to see her, or anything. 1t
made me sore, and | got to drinking.
amt denying nothing.
Last Friday night I'd had a few,
but was goin' home till | met EN-.
This Pine says: There's the drunk.
ard now.
What's THAR l says, stopping.
81 said you was a drunkard, no
says.
Il took punch at him and missed,
and then"-his voice dripped scorn-
Just as | made another swing he
pulls Bella in front of him. | couldn't
stop, though | tried to, and | struck
her in the eye"
Dams testimony was interrupted by
a buzz of angry condemnation from
the courtroom. Pine made himself
small in his chair All his COM
placency was gone and he looked lur-
lively toward the door
Amt that right, Bella?a Dan APP
pea'ed to the girl 1t was the first
word he had addressed to her II
months
Yes. Dan, that's Just what hap
pened,' she agreed instantly. You
didn't mean to do it. wouldn't let
him go home with me afterward, he
was such a coward And didn't
want you arrested, but"
But your uncle swore out the war
rant against me and made you come
here today. Yes, you did" He turned
on Sam Nader with such sudden
fierceness that the latter quailed de-
spite his bullying air.
This is all irregular, Tole-yoUr
honor interrupted Bunty. The girl
hasn't been sworn
But she told the truth" retorted
the court. Prisoners discharged;
amt he, boys23
You bet" responded the jury.
heartily.
Say, Vane!" screamed the frantic
Bunty, Il protest against this fool.
ing, You can't coerce the jury"
The court turned on him the
crushing phrase he had heard a city
lawyer use: "Aw, forget it"
Bella! Aunt Sue!' Dan master
fully ushered the girl and her aunt
into Vane's private Office and shut
the door. He addressed his remarks
to both of them: Let's start all
over This Pine amt no good; you
know that Bella. Let's get married
right now. Oh, | know it's sudden,
but there's no use waiting. I'll be
good to you You know | always was
before they broke us up. I'll quit the
booze. I don't care for it-only | had
to do something.
Here's the license; I've carried IT
ever since last summer Old ToIe II
marry Us right here. VIII you? Say
yes deary" He took the girls hands
gently and drew her into his arms,
Something strong and brave came
into Mrs. Madder's face. Say it,
lamb; say it, she whispered. And
then she opened the door to the thin
ming courtroom.
"Jedge Tole, come In here. And you,
too, Sam Nader. Act white, for
once, and be a witness at your nieces
weddin'"
Nader recognized a rare tone in
his wife's voice, one that brooked no
cavil or delay. Bewildered, but
obedient, ne came.