The Washington herald., 1914-05-25

and get the decision.' he ordered ex.
citedly.
Jabbing a commanding glance at the
girl, the servant began to speak. She
| rose slowly. as IL In daze. and shufiied
Imply toward the library. Master and
/ servant exchanged significant glances.
When The girl returned she held q man.
uscript In her hand and gave II to Ka-
mura. The servant handed It to his mas
| ter.
Better get out before she comes to, %
whispered Graham.
With a sudden jerk Of his hand and
| a swift toss of his' head. Kanura brought
| the girI out of the trance. As she opened
her eyes bewilderedly. he hastened from
the room. The girl stared perpiexedly
at Graham. 80
DO you feel faint. Miss Madison? Shall
! bring you glass Of water?
NO. thank you. I feel better now. It
Is rather close in here"
Graham opened a window. and after an
exchange OF trivial comments took his
leave. Reaching his apartments, he took
out the manuscript and read IL.
Looks bad for Bixbie." he muttered.
But perhaps things can be arranged"
Two hours later Bixbie entered his
room.
Judge Madison decided against you."
said Graham. Here is the decision
don't suppose II vii be filed for several
days. You have plenty OF time to act,
Bixbis"
The other read the decision attentively.
"I am greatly obliged to you,' he said.
But had hoped Judge Madison would
see the matter In a different light. This
is going to cost our firm several millions.
What do you suggest?
The two men regarded each other
searchingIy Judge Madison Is only
human observed Graham. Il under
stand he has been dabbling in stocks.
Has been losing pretty heavily. I think
a check for, say, sl0.c00 would convince
him that his decision was rendered with
out adequate study and consideration OF
the case"
An eloquent silence ensued. II think /
unde rstand." said Bixbie. He sat down.
produced a check book and filled In a
blank. Suppose you mail II to Judge
Madison with an explanatory note" he
said. handing the check to Graham. who
pocke;ed the slip
You might leave that manuscript with
me-" said Graham as his friend departed.
II may have use for it." Bixbie smiled
knowingly and surrendered the paper.
Two days later Judge Madison filed
with the clerk Of the Circuit Court a
lengthy decision upholding the conten-
tons of Bixbie & Co, in the patent rights
litigation. Three hours after the de-
cision had been filed Graham was usher
ed into Judge Madison's room.
Il am not going to waste words" he
said. You have just rendered de-
cision favorable to Bixbie 4 Co. May
1 ask what influenced you TO change
your mind?'
paIlor crept into the old mans face.
'what-what do you mean?" he demand
ed.
You know what mean" Graham
Ieered insolently. You wrote two de-
cisions The first was unfavorable to
the interests of Bixbie & Co.-decidedly
so. The second was a complete reversal
OF the first. I should like to know why
you changed your mind. / wonder II that
check for ten thousand which you re-
ceived from Bixbie & Co. had anything
to do with il We are wasting time.
judge. / have the proof. Your first de-
Cision il in my pocket. l can also prove
that you accepted the check. don't
blame YOU. ! only want to know whether
you still entertain those violent-and un-
just-objections to me as a prospective
The old man groaned. and his face
turned a greenish. sickly hue.
You know love your daughter. Judge
Madison" Graham went on 1T would
he an easy matter to convince her that
she should marry me. Do you accept?"
The judge. crushed and broken. fidgeted
in his chair. Il shall see," he groaned. |
Il shall have a talk with her
Graham bowed suavely and left. In
the evening he called a few friends to-
gether to celebrate his victory. for a !
victory he was sure il was. Wine flowed !
copiously. and as faces began to flush
and eyes sparkle the friends taunted !,
had achieved in his wooing of Flo Madi- |
son.
Graham scowled angrily as he raised !
MS glass.
II will wager that can have her here !
n an hour and that she will kiss me-" he |
,oasted. The wager was accepted amid |
shouts and hoarse plaudits. Graham re- |
ired and whispered a few words in Ka-
nuras ear The servant smiled and |
lastened from the house.
"A toast to my sweetheart" cried Gra-
lam as Flo walked into the room ahead
II the servant. And you will drink too.
ny darling" he declared, handing her a
;lass.
She accepted it. but as she brought IL |
o her lips she reeled and fell. She had !!
aInted. The jewellers drunkenly assist !
d her to her feet and a servant carried 4
Ter to a bedroom. II
You win,' cried Graham's friends, II
their glasses.
As soon as the servant had left Flo II
pened her eyes and, suddenly overcoming II
Ter apparent drowsiness, sprang from the
ed. She stole down the stairway and
ntered room that loked like a bache-