The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-11-13

"NS "ANh SuNA AalAAllSSo as i COlI0
command. 1t was idle to deny that
my desire for first hand information
had placed me in Il very embarrassing
if not a humiliating position. The
gravity of the situation. however. aid
ed me to a solution, for as l thought
over what l had heard l saw that l
could not conscicntiously retain nv
seat in the jury box. AS this aspect
of the affair dawned upon me all nv
irritation and nervousness disappear-
ed, and with an apologize good night
to my abused volumes l returned to
bed and straightway fell asleep.
Immediately after breakfast the next
morning l started out to find Judge
Dudley and tender my resignation
from the jury, and, much to my de-
light, l learned that his honor's resi-
dence was only a few miles from
H%efryville.
At the judges house, however, l was
Informed that the owner had gone to
the city and would not return until
Monday evening after the adjourn
ment of court. Though disappointed
at this. l was not discouraged, md,
learning that the prosecutor lived near
Pollicet, l resolved to tell him why
could take no further part in the EN-
DRY case and ask him to present my
excuse to the court. The journey to
Pollicet would spoil a mornings work.
but l knew it would save me the long
er trip to Melton on Monday, and un-
til l had disposed of this business l
had little hope of concentrating my
mind on other things.
But at Pollicet l met with another
disappointment. Mr.. Gilbert, it ap
peared, had gone out early in the
morning, leaving word that he might
not return for luncheon.
An l reckon he won't" concluded
the colored gentleman who supplied
this disheartening information.
l eyed the fellow sharply and de-
tected a knowing smile lowering on his
lips.
Did he leave word where he was 60
ing"' l asked, with sudden inspiration.
mo, sub. He done leave no word"
asserted the darby, with a broadening
grin.
"Well, do you know where he isl" l
inquired %anxiously.
Il 'specks l could make a right smart
guess, subj
I've got the mate Of this for you if
your guess is right" l asserted, tossing
him half a dollar.
He caught it deity, his eyes spark
ling merrily.
II reckon you all mays we'll give me
the rest now boss" he grinned; save
yo' drivin' back-'deed it WILL" he con-
Guided, with a chuckle.
The sound of his musical laughter
reminded ME of his masters, and l
had not the slightest doubt where
Deake Gilbert had acquired his infec-
tious gift of mirth.
"Out with your guess, and if l think
it's good maybe I'll pay you in adj
vance," said.
The darby made no immediate an
sWer, but after a few embarrassed
chuckles glanced up at me with a con-
fidential wink.
"Reckon he's down to Mis- Frayne's,
boss he vouchsafed and started
chuckling again, but the expression of
my face evidently made him think l
mistrusted his information and that
his contingent fee was in danger.
Hes down there suah, boss,' he as
serted, with convincing earnestness.
Every likely you're right" answer
ed coldly, and, tossing him the other
half dollar, l drove on.
For awhile l flouted the idea that l
was unpleasantly affected by the
knowledge of Gilbert's whereabouts.
How could I possibly be annoyed by
finding the man I was seeking! Moth
ing could be more unreasonable and
absurd. Nevertheless it was a fact.
But when l admitted this to myself l
was unable to assign a reason for nv
irritation and concluded with no little
internal rage that l was not in the
least disturbed.
Less than half a mile separated Gil
bert's cottage from the Fraynes', but
in that short distance l was so busily
engaged in combating my ridiculous
state of mind that l completely forgot
the object Of my errand, and / must
confess l did not Immediately recall
it when I heard a cheerful shout as I
turned in at the Heathcrcote gates and
saw Barbara Frayne running across
the lawn to meet me. In another mo-
ment she had bounded into the seat
beside me and was shaking my hand
most cordially.
This is a welcome surprise. Sir
Knight she exclaimed. I've been
blaming myself because l did not in
sist upon your staying for dinner last
night. 1t was nothing less than inhu-
man to allow You to 20 on. Mother
said so, too. and when l mentioned
YOUR name father declared l ought to
be ashamed of myself for no knowing
that you were the most distinguished
writer of the day on-on''-
Miss Frayne paused and yaZcd at me