Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-11-08
By Archey Cameron New
Copyright,
1917. by the Mcclure New
per Syndicate.)


Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Nawspa-
per Syndicate)
Sleepy desolation settled more thick
" on the courthouse square at placid
Euclid Corners as the mercury stead
lily rose in the tube and the county
seat sizzled under the fierce summer
heat. Even the few horses hitched out
side the general store while their mas
tiers dawdled on the steps with old Zeb
Marks, were too lazy to brush aside
the flies that swarmed about their
sweaty TANKS.
In the old courthouse across the
square the county clerk and his single
assistant, perched upon their, high
wooden stools, scrawling at the docket,
bemoaned the fate that kept them
there while the summer recess afford
ed some Of their more fortunate breth-
rem chance tovget away to cooler
.climes. But off Id one corner Of the
old gray building in small chamber,
rather imperfectly cooled by large
electric fan, lounged one individual
who seemed to care not whether the
rest Of the world was sizzling. For be-
hind desk, heaped high with law
books, stenographers' copies, blue
prints and papers of every description,
his feet encased in large, roomy gaf-
tiers, and resting on the desk before
him, huge silk "kerchief' wrapped
about his seamy neck and an old green
eyeshade perched atop his broad, hui
'morous nose, old Judge Bates sat
drowsily staring at the printed page
before him. his thoughts afar off.
And into his musings, as If 1t were
a dream, there stole the sounds Of
the rustic ola woman's dress, and sud-
denly he turned his head toward the
half-opened door, and brought his feet
abruptly to the floor. For a young, de-
liciously cool little apparition ID a thin
blue frock, revealing white, rounded
throat and a slender, graceful figure
from the top Of her glorious golden
head to the tip of her tiny slippers,
advanced toward him, a troubled look
in, her big blue eyes.
"Well, bless my soul!" exclaimed the
Judge, kindly, rising and extending his
horny brown paw and grasping her
slim white hand cordially; little Ruth
Marston. What brings you in town
today?"
"I-came-for advice" faltered the
girl nervously. s.
"We1l, this is the place." said the
other, smilingly. "Heresit down
And he gfaciously brushed the dust
from an old armchair and beckoned.
the orphaned daughter of his old law.
partner to be seated. i"What is the
trouble?"
She regarded him moment in
doubt, then plunged ahead.
"Eer-if-er," she stammered, and
he leaned forward and patted her hand
reassuringly.
"Go ahead" he urged, in a kindly
tone. Don't be afraid, Ruth. You're
just like my own daughter. Litter
love AFFAIR.""
She stared and looked into his keen
eyes before replying.
Yves" she admitted, blushing fu-
riously. 'I-wanted to know If could
that is can young mango back
on you whenever he wants TOT"
The old judge whistled.
$50" he exclaimed. us that it,?
Who's the Teller? Is he-all right,
Ruth?"
I'll don't know as / ought to tell
you," she continued, "but I thought
maybe I gould sue him for breach of
promise"
"What!" almost yelled the judge.
"a daughter of Sam Marston suing
man for breach of promise? Never.
My dear girl, where's your pride? The
idea p
She dropped her eyes and blushed
more furiously than ever. S
SWELL, thought" she started, then
breaking into tears, she cried, through
clenched hands, "but, judge, love him
so! And do want him. He's SO fine,
so noble. And maybe IT'S my fault.
He"
The judge, who was gazing at her
sympathetically felt wave of pater-
nal interest surge through him, as he
reached forward again and patted her
arm. no
"Come, Gomez he soothed her.
Brace up and tell me all about nit.
Breach of promise suits never bring
'em back. Maybe there's another way.
Tell me, who's the man? And what's
the troubie?"
Its John Summers" she answered
brokenly, and the judge jumped again.
'Not that young feller that's prac-
ticing law over TIL way?" demanded
the judge, incredulously. "What !
Well, see here, he's nice boy. Tell
NE the rest"
SWELL" she continued, ''he was go
ing with me until papa died. Then he
started to grow. cold, He stopped COM
ing to the house except once in a
while, and then he didn't come at ALL
And-and now he's going with the girl