The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER XX~-(CONTINUEDl

- was sun early ana he was QOuDIleSS
there in consultation with Payson, who
was not to return to New York until
late in the afternoon.
Go, my dear" sal her aunt. lose
no time. 1t is most Imperative"
As for Eric, we know that he did
not go to the Widow Payson's.
With Judge Bright he entered the
county court house at 10 o'clock. They
had gone to the office of the lawyer in
Bank street, only to be told by the
clerk that Mr.. Gates unexpectedly a
been called to the slleriff's office a few
minutes earlier. He did not know the
nature of the business, but it was i'm
portant, as his superior had departed
in haste.
AS they walked down the corridor
they were met by the editor of the
Courier, who came up from the other
entrance, quite out of breath and Wis
IDLY excited.
Hello" he said. Being an editor. he
was on familiar terms with
great and small. A justice of the SUI
preme court possessed no terrors Cor
him. Morning, Judge. Well, well,
Eric, let me congratulate you. Great
piece of news. All in type by this time,
100. l.
Congratulated gasped Eric.
"Type@" calculated Judge Bright.
Sure. Your uncle released it by
phone 10 minutes ago, and told me to
get over here as quickly as 1 could.
Corinth will turn over in its grave
when 1t sees the Courier this evening.
Great guns! Think of a library build
ms bigger than the new paper mill
n straw board works combined
| Why, its
Eric's bitter laugh topped him.
Il fancy, Cooper, you'll nave an
other bit of news that will surprise
YOU" said Judge Bright.
Not the wedding announcement"
gasped Cooper, showing how the wind
blew.
THAT later on" said the
Judge.
well, well. Il do congratulate
you," said the editor, sticking out his
hand nee more. But Eric's eyes We're
on he door Of the sheriff's office and
he did not see The ink-stained fingers.
In the private office, judge" said
the lone deputy in the front office.
"Waitin for Eric in there. Hare you,
Eric? What's up?"
Mr.. Cooper was following the pair
into the private office when the deputy
called out to him:
Private, Joe. Can't go in yet"
I've been sent for retorted Coop
er, the editor.
Set down. They'll send again, l
guess said the deputy succinctly.
There Were three men in the private
office, all standing. Judge Bright closed
the door. Mr.. Gates, the lawyer, stood
beside the table, confronting the sheriff
and the states attorney. The latter
evidently had been reading aloud the
document which he held in his hand.
The sheriff, a fat little man with chin
whiskers, was looking over the others
shoulder as the newcomers entered. He
Immediately turned to them. betraying
considerable excitement.
. s.c,- ,o.o ,,1, ,,> s5tl+,-,,a -, -
greeted, stepping forward. clad to
see you How are you this morning?
Morning, judge. Well" he affected a
pleasant grin-"I guess it won't take
long to fix it all up. This is the states
attorney, Mr.. Midthorne. Reckon you
know Mr.. Gates. He is to represent
you, l believe. Course, / suppose. to
be quite regular, l should put you I'M
der arrest, Mr.. Midthorne. But what's
the use going yer all that? We I'M
derstand each other. I reckon, So"
But / do not understand" cried Eric
in establishment. How do you happen
to know what l am here for? How one
knows except"
"Oh, Mr.. Blagden's upstairs in the
court room now, waiting for u.s." ex-
planned the sheriff. Got the bond all
ready to be signed and everything. So,
don't worry. Mr.. Collins here has got
the affidavit drawn-on information
| anu .DellCl, r III l. AZ tollS DE
you're satisfied to give yourself up, il
won't be necessary for me to have a
warrant. Course, the affidavit will have
to be read, and all that, but it won't
take long"
My uncle has been here?" gasped
Eric, recovering from his surprise.
Mr., Gates came forward. He has at
tended to everything, Mr.. Midthorne.
You may leave it all in my hands.
think we will nave no difficulty in Sc
curing a speedy trial. You-but we
will discuss the matter later in my
office He waved his hand in the
direction of the states attorney, smiling
blandly, You see, we can't afford to
play into the hands of the enemy"
Completely dazed, Eric followed the
men out of the office and up the broad
steps to the court room. Mr.. Cooper
took it upon himself to wall beside the
: young man.
what's up?" lie whispered eagerly.
Whats going on? Put a fellow next
Erie. Tbe-old geezer upstairs ISM
thinking of a divorce. is he?"
Good heaven. mol" exclaimed Eric
He liked Joe Cooper. wait a few min
utes. / can't tell you now"
The court room was quite empty, ex-
cept for the presence of a long figure
seated inside the railing, quite close
to the bench, and two bailiffs who con-
versed lazily at n of the windows
overlooking Main street.
Despite it's deserted appearance, court
was in session. The judge leaned for
ward to converse in subdued tones with
the man below. He looked up as the
group came through the swinging doors
and settled back in his chair to COM
pose himself for that typical exposition
Of judicial Indifference that never fails
to create In the min of the lay1nan
doubt as to whether the court Is asleer
or awake, or merely thinking of some
thing entirely foreign to the cause be.
fore him. And just when you think he
is sleeping he soundest, he starts VI
and says something so pertinent thai
you know he has been listening all the
time. Only 1t does make one drowsy tc
watch the half recuinbent court on {
warm day late in the April term. Yor
wonder If he, too, isn't thinking OF
meadow larks.
Eric, a trifle dazed inc bewildered
stopped just inside the rail, while the
others went f~orward-that Is to say
with the single exception Of the sheriff