The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-02-19
ACCOMPLICE"
By FREDERICK TREVOR HILL

tators than eve before.
The Judge wants to see You in his
private ROOM" whispered a court at
tendant in my ear.
l started ut the summons, but rose
and followed the man.
Judge Dudley acknowledged my en-
trance with Il grave inclination of his
head as the door closed behind me. but
his reception was far from cordial. In
deed, his severe expression so COM
pletely occupied my attention that l
did not Immediately observe that Gill
bert and RnrStow were also present.
Before l could conjecture what was
coming his honor interrupted my
thought by ordcrin. me to sit down.
'Mr. Lambert" he began, II was
yesterday advised that you, the fore
man of this jury. contemplated DISC
heying the orders of this court and
We're only prevented from so doing by
accident. ! take occasion to inform
you. sir. that IL bench warrant was is
sued for your arrest and would have
been executed had not Mr.. Corning
found you within instead Of without
the limits of Melton township. Now,
sir. quite apart from any question of
the respect which YOU this court,
l am surprised that a gentleman of
your intelligence should jeopardize the
comfort of his fellow jurors, to say
nothing Of imperiling the conduct of
this case, by taking undue advantage
of the liberty accorded him. l have
refrained from enforcing strict custody
of the jury. and it is entirely due to
these conference.-the waved his hand
toward the lawyers-''that l do not
now DO SO. However. | warn YOU that
no infraction of either the letter or the
spirit of my orders will be tolerated
in future. and if you have no consider
alton for the comfort of your associates
you will do we'll to have regard for
your own safety. That is all l have to
say, sir. You may now return to your
place in the jury box"
l rose from my seat. flushing with
Indignation. l had been scolded like a
%schoolboy. but I did not propose to be
dismissed like one.
IF Your honor will permit me- l
began. with dignity.
mo speeches. it YOU please, Mr.. Lam
bert" the judge interrupted CURLY. II
know Your excuse. and it is not good.
You may retire, sir"
But, your honor protested hotly.
The old man turned on me. his eyes
flashing and his under lip %protruding
dangerously.
You may retire, Mr.. LAMBERT" he
Numbered. Did YOU hear me: You
may retire.
l backed toward the door and re-
entered the courtroom. my face still
hot with anger. Before my fellow
jurors could question me, however. IN
attendant announced the advent of the
judge, and his honor took his place
upon the bench. Then. as my eyes fell
upon Gilbert, my wrath received fresh
impulse. and | fairly boiled with in
di@nation. | dWclt upon it as the
clerk called the roll Of the jury. Be
fore the last man answered to his
name. however, Judge Dudley stopped
the proceedings With Il rap of his gavcl
Oh the desk.
"Wnit a moment" he ordered. glanc-
ing over the room. The defendant is
not present. What does this mean,
Mr.. BnrStow:'
The lawyer arose and. stepping to
The railing, laid his hands upon it and
yAZed earnestly at the judge until he
held the attention Of every man and
WOman in the room.
IF your honor please" he began IN
Il low tone. but which could be dis
tinrtly heard in the fnrthcSt corner of
the room. II must crave the indul-
gcncc of the court for my client this
morning. ] rose from a sick bed my
self only a few hours ago, to find Miss
Emory so seriously i%ndisposed that l
insisted upon her seeing a physician
before she attempted to appear in
court. | have word, however, that she
is now on her way here, and I trust
your honor will overlook the delay. We
are ready to proceed at once, sir" he
added as Il young man entered the
courtroom and whispered something in
his ear.
The judge nodded and Barstow i'm
meuiatcly followed the messenger out
OF tho room.
At last the door opened and every
eye in the room turned to it as the de
PENDANT entered leaning heavily on her
cuunScls arm. She was very pale, but
the same calm. reSolute, fearless en-
preston was in her eyes, and I was
impressed anew with the sweetness and
-cntlenrSs of her face.
The little procession halted before
tn" ro,lnsel'S table, and Barstow ten
derby supported his client as she slowly
sank into her chair. and then, laying
his hand encoulayingly ul,nn her Shout
der. whispered Il few words in her ear
and remained gazing earnestly into her
eyes until he received her answer.
Then he turned to the bench rs nyyres-
Slve and determined AS ever.