Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-05
CHAPTER VIII.

AS Mrs. Spotswood turned she saw
Josie for the first time, for the girl
had instantly begun a low-Voiced,
somewhat giggling confab with her old
friend, Broadway, and was sitting at
the far side of the center table, where,
to his disgust, the shaded lamp cast
but an imperfect light upon her face.
The judge looked at them, grinning,
and then did a thing which made
Broadway take a silent oath to see
to it that all the high-feed law practice
which he might find within his gift,
ithenceforward and forevermore, as
no one but Judge Spotswood.
Come, nom, please; they've got inn
portant things to talk about" the
Judge petitioned.
yes, l know" said she, but vas not
to be diverted from her hospitality.
broadway, will you have another
glass Of lemonade?"
mo, thanks; not now"
"Josie, have a cup Of tea?"
II don't think so, Mrs. Spotswood."
"Now, nom, pleased" the Judge *
postulated.
"Yes; I'm going" said his wife, but
added, as she cast at him an angry
glance: you have to be polite to
people, don't your"
With that she founced out OF the
room, and, to the distress of Broad
way, went alone. Then and only then
he realized that the Judge intended to
remain. He was actually intent on
talking business. Broadway wondered
If he might not have to give his legal
work to some more intelligent attor-
ney. Could not the gum business wait?
But no. The judge was purely bust
ness. There was no hope. The young
man reconciled himself as best he
could.
"T've explained to MI. Jones, JOSIE"
said the Judge, that the affairs Of the
plant are entirely in your hands. You
can give him a pretty good idea of
how things stand without the books
and figures in front of you, can't your"
To Broadway's grief he sat down COM
fortably."
"Well, hardly, judge said Josie,
smiling at him in a way which panied
Broadway, for it seemed certain to
cement the ~jurist's firm intention of re-
naming with them for the balance of
the evening. 1t seemed to him that
this was inconsiderate.
"The old gentleman told me" the
Judge explained, "that the works
showed a profit of about forty thou
sand dollars last year. Is that right?'
"Oh, it was more than that"
This distracted Jackson Jones atten-
ton even from the color of her .eyes.
More than forty thousand dollars!
"It vast" he said, with an elongating
gesture of the neck and a side head
twist which were habitual with him in
moments of delighted surprise.
He drew his chair a little nearer
even than it had been. Eyes were all
right enough; but, after all, forty thou.
sand dollars! And possibly the ayes
thrown in! Had he been lucky to es-
cape the bonds Of wedlock with the
ancient widow? Verify he had!
ct was nearer fifty, If I remember
rightly" said the pretty business won.
an.
ssWell, that wasn't SO bad, now, was
it?' exclaimed Broadway.
why, no" his fair informant grant
ed, considering that we've been fight
ing the trust all the time. I think
it was perfectly remarkable"
DO your" inquired Broadway, with
the eyes of faith, as If he were quite
willing to accept her judgment 8
all things.
Why, yes; don't you?" Her fore
head had a pretty, earnest quicker tha,
almost unnamed him.
Sure, I think it is" he made haste
to agree. what do you think aho,,t
It, judge?" The judge must be brought
INTO the talk. or course, az long as IL
vas there.
The Judge settled hack into his chat