The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-04-06

servatory. She was crying and told
James and that her brother and Mr..
Langdon had just quarreled about it."
what did you do?"
II went in search Of I.angdon."
"Wherc did you find him:"
Brandon flushed. and again his eyes
turned appealingly toward Langdon as
II begging forgiveness as he said in a
low voice:
"He was in the bar, drinking with
group Of workmen."
did you join him?"
Eyes. Or. rather, I urged him to
join me at one OF the tables. l was
surprised to see him take anything to
that he was drinking to forget that he
had lost girl who still loved him,
though she was going to marry anoth.
er man. asked him II he meant Mary
Page. and he said yes"
Did you remain with him long?''
mo. l tried to persuade him to
come home with me, and when he
wouldn't, left him. In the hall, how
ever, met Miss Page. l wanted her
to see Mr.. Langdon at that bar. led
her to the door. remember how hor-
ritied she seemed. and how she strug-
gled to control herself l tried to
steady her; but suddenly she went right
over to Langdon's table, and several
loafers gathered around them. She
seemed not to see them ut all. Her
mind was apparently on Langdon
alone. Langdon was just sober enough
TO realize that Miss Page ought not to
be in such place. He tried to push
her away; but she cried out, Don't
drink any more, Phil!"
did Mr.. Langdon make any reply?"
Yes. He said. Why should stop
drinking? What have to live fory
Then she put her arms around his
neck. and 1t was while they sat thus
that James Pollock came in. This
seemed to sober Langdon completely.
l rushed forward, fearing there would
be horrible scene. and urged Pollock
to go away. He pushed all Of us back.
i want to get ut him. he kept calling.
Just let me get my hands ON himv
Langdon was trying to get Miss Page
out Of the place. He did succeed. while
several of us held Pollock back by
main force, in getting Mary into lit
tie anteroom. a sort Of parlor next to
the cafe"
Eyes, go on. Mr. Brandon" urged the
prosecutor, who seemed pleased with
his witness.
well, Pollock was determined to fol-
low them. and we couldn't prevent him.
l found myself dragged into the little
room with him, and l slammed the
door. But James. for some reason, was
calmer now. What does this mean.
Mary?' he said.
lit MEANS Miss Page answered,
that can't marry anyone but MIR.
Langdon,' and Langdon went on, Now,
James. what are you going to do
about it?'"
The prosecutor interrupted: Ibid Mr..
Langdon know at that time that Mary's
father had forged Mr.. Pollock's check? p
mo, sir, he did not. for Pollock pro-
duced it ut that moment. and Langdon
didn't know what it was. He looked
at Miss Page. who seemed overcome
with emotion. What does this mean,
Mary?' he asked. But she didn't an
swer. Then Pollock told him-the
straight truth. Her father did it,
remember he said, and she's going to
marry me. Now do you understand
"Langdon thought he was blutting.
You skunkv he shouted; and Pollock
waved the check In his face. Langdon
grabbed it. and there was struggle
The check tore In two, and when Lang
don looked ut the piece he held. he saw
that it bore the forged signature. as
Dan Page had written it. saw him
turn white as sheet. But suddenly
he smiled. and then he went calmly
over to lamp on the mantelpiece ant
burned 1t. | remember, as though Il
had been yesterday. how happy Mis-.
Page looked when she thought this evi
dence against her father was de
stroyed."
The people In the courtroom gaspet
with relief They could almost share
Marys sense OF relief. But they were
soon brought back with shock as the
witness went on:
"Pollock had fallen down; but he re-
covered himself. and began to sheer a
Langdon. That isn't the check. any
how, you fool! That's only copy
for just such occasions as this!
"Was Miss Page disconcertedT thu
prosecutor wanted to know.
"Oh, yes. sir. She said, What shall
10. Phil? I'll do whatever you say.
And he said. 4 won't influence 70,
now. DO as your conscience dictates,
or something like that. ! can't remem
Der every word. Of course. There wa
something about his not being veal
again, and then he turned as II to SO
He looked pretty dOwnhearted."
"What did Pollock do all this time :?
HE jumped up then, when he saw
that I.angdon's back was turned. an,
tried to put his arms around Mis-