Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-22


ton in such matters than my client.
She asked me TO name a sum Mr..
Stanley would accept for the return
of her letters.
| communicated this request to my
client, expecting that he would instruct
me as to a reply within short time,
but month passed. and. although I
met him frequently. he made no men
zion of the matter. When fortnight
had elapsed without my having sent
any further communication to Miss
Stanley she wrote again, reminding me
that she had not heard from me in re-
ply to her request for statement of
the sum that would buy her letters
and begged that would name a price
since she did not wish them to remain
in the possession of Mr Elliot
| noticed an absence of temper in
the young lady's letters that caused me
to think they We're dictated by counsel.
Thus far she had refrained from ex-
pressing herself toward my client ex-
cept as a lady to gentleman. When
] showed Elliot this letter l told him
that doubtless in the defendants case
counsel was the manager. while in the
plaintiffs case counsel was simply a
go-between in a matter which he did
not understand. Bob made no reply to
this assertion, but l could see by the
expression of his face that it amused
him. He told me to write the lady
that his object in pressing the matter
was not one of money. but justice.
IN no Of
I, court-in the way he had suggested,
and If that was not satisfactory l had
orders to bring the suit.
The reply | received to this commu-
nication dispelled any belief on my
part that the lady was acting under
the advice of counsel. She said that it
was. matter of common report that
my client had broken the hearts of a
dozen contiding girls. She would new
er consent to apologize to or ask par
don of one who was far more guilty
than herself.
was we'll aware that no lawyer
would dictate such a letter. common
report having no standing in court
of law However, / had by this time
given up IL lHs W OeSlphSl thS upShOS
of the case and was awaiting some
sort of a denoument. Bob gave me no
more confidence than he had conferred
upon me when he put the matter into
my hands. or. rather. employed me to
write his letters for him.
He again took up the Fabian do
nothing policy, making no reply to the
defendants last letter. Then another
one came in which the writer said that
her attorney had advised her to con-
fer with Mr.. Elliot direct. With
view to setting the matter, which
meant getting back her letters. she
asked if my client would meet her at
her attorneys Office or at mine at such
time as he might elect. Bob told me
to write her that he would meet her at
her counsels office. and she might APP
point the time. He knew well that
she had no coupsek and he did not be-
lieve she would take any lawyer into
her confidence. confess that by this
time | felt sure she had been acting
on her own responsibility, and 1 was
not surprised when her reply came
that after consideration she preferred
Mr.. Elliot should call at her house.
When | received this letter | confess
the scales fell from my eyes. 1t oc-
Cured to me that this. instead of be-
ing an incipient law case. was nothing
more than a Irritation between two
champions in the game of love. | sent
the letter to Bob and, at the same
time. resigned as his counsel. writing
him that while I would be happy to
serve him thereafter in Legitimate law
business. | didn't propose to do any
more intermediate work between
| pair of lovers.
The first | knew of the outcome OF
this legal contest in the court of love
was an announcement in society
| journal of the engagement of Robert
| c. Elliot and Miss Kathryn Stanley.
| wrote Bob. congratulating him and
inclosed a bill for a box of Havana
cigars in lien Of fee for bringing
| about his engagement. He paid the
bill and soon after gave me an order
to search a title for him, which was
followed by other business.
After the wedding and the return
from the honeymoon trip | dined with
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot and told them
that, inasmuch as I had brought them
together, thought I was entitled to
the inner story.
Its this way" said the husband.
az was bucking against half dozen
other fellows. and 1 didn't propose to
remain in and of the crowd. My
| threat TO sue was a bluff"
"And my offer to buy my letters"
|, the wife added. "was a counter lluff.
knew perfectly well that Bob had
nothing but a few notes from me. but
let yOu think ! couldn't remember Just
| to, whom | had written letters that
might be construed as promise of
marriage. Besides. l preferred that
Bob should think 7 would rather pay
a round sum than marry him"
"Havlng heard your two storfes,'' |
said. raising my glass. 81 drink to the
health of Tie two biggest buffers who