The Washington herald., 1913-03-02
By the Bobbs-Merrnl Company

Chester and my mother. and was reas-
sured by their whispered communica-
tions, she looked serene. save when
she noted the Judges averted face.
Chester's lawyer spoke insinuatingiy
of spite. prejudice. and unreasonable
provincialism as being at the bottom
Of the case.
And" he added. 'T may add jeal-
ousy-jealousy, your honor, of the de-
PENDANTS charms Of person. which. as
a part of the res .gestae, are evidence
in this case, II your honor only would
observe them."
, The Judge started and blushed, but
still looked steadily away. Mr.. Mid
dlekauff looked relieved. Miss Frayn
fretted the linoleum with little tops OF
her toe. and her delicate nostrils nut
tered. There was a mystic tension in
the air.
Mr.. Chestah." said the girl. IN a low
voice, "he seems to be alludin' to
what does he mean?'
Judge worthington raped for 81
lence Miss Frayn's eyes grew bright.
and her cheek showed q spot Of GRIM
son which deepened as the reading OF
the affidavit went on. As the legal
verbiage droned through the story of
the boys infatuation, I looked at her.
and knew that her Indignation was
swelling fercely at she scarcely knew
what. I began repeating to myself a
passage from Seneca
OBJECTED to-" roared Chester's law
yer. ''as incompetent. irrelevant. imma-
terial. impertinent. and grossly scan
dalousv'
Miss Frayn clenched her hands and
held her breath as II at the realization
of her worst fears. Then the Judge
spoke. THE affidavit" said he, at
,-SL %
corrupting influence over the whole
neighborhood. and"
''SuhT she gasped.
Again did the Judge rap for order.
Ruling reserved" said he. Pro
ceed''
Triumpha ntly Beasley went on with
the resolutions. At last Miss Frayn
seemed to understand. She rose with a
gesture. and in frozen dignity ad-
dressed. the court.
Judge wo't'h'in'ton.'' said she.
"Ah'm not quite ce'tain All get the full
meanin' of this. but All feel that All
cain't pe'mit it to go fu'thah. All de-
siah to say to you as a gentleman and
an acquaintance, IL not a friend, that
these ah things that cannot be said
of a lady. suhI'
THE defendant" said the Judge, after
two or three Intellectual attempts to speak
will be heard through her counsel-pro-
ceed,'
She was hurt and desperate as she sat
down. and in a cold and livid fury
With her eyes level and shining like
knife-points, she put OFF. with look like
a blow. Chester's efforts to comfort her
She sat, an alien in an inhospitable land.
hedged about by wall OF displeasure
at some formless insult. and at friends
without chivalry. The Judge began stat
ing his decision. giving the argument for
the one side and then for the other as
judges do.
The evidence tends to prove" said he.
that Roberta Lee Frayn has a malign
fascination over her pupils-the larger
boys especially: that she has lured them
into personal attendance upon her rather
than to study: that she has melted young
men to duels, brawls, breaches OF the
SY.le. and
I could see that she thought the phrase
1T tends to prove an expression OF his
belief in the charges; and as he went
on her face famed red once more. and
then went white as snow. She stepped
back from the table as IL to clear for
action, one little hand lifted, the other
In the folds OF her dress.
"Suh"' she cried. in a passion OF in
dignation which was splendid and terri
BILE. This must stop, II nah false
friends lack the chivalry to protect me
and nah good name, AhTl defend NAH
self. suh.'
Chester half rose. as IL to throw him
self into the hopeless contest
THE defendant does not understand"
said the Judge. THE defendant will re-
sumo her seat! The veidence tends to
prove that"
But the decision was never finished:
for the girl drew a short small pistol and
aimed at him. We were frozen In horror.
Judge Worthington looked unwaveringly
into the muzzle.
Roberta said he.
then saw a rush by Capt. Winfield
to strike her arm; the pistol roared out
in the courtroom like a cannon: and as
Miss Frayn sank back into my mothers