Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-07
The Red Mouse
. A Story Of Love, Jealousy and Politics
BY WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

berlng only that she was a woman robbed
of her mate she cried
II am going to make you suffer for this
as you made him suffer in this courtroom" >"
she waved her hand toward Chaloner. "Ill
invoke every law against you" she went
on, "and if the law can't help me, I'll spend
my life to make you pay for this. You
made an agreement with me and you must
keep it or | will ." Suddenly she
sank exhausted into the chair next to Chal-
loncr and buried her face upon the pris-
oner's shoulder.
Laurie. Laurie" she sobbed IN her de-
spair. For the first time Chaloner showed
some feeling he found her hand and patted
1t with affection for n moment
The Justice shook his head Presently
he said increduousy
Mrs. Challoner, this is terrible charge
to make"
She sprang up, but Immediately sank
back again.
IT'S true. it's true" she walled
Shirley turned to Thorne and said feel
ngly:
THE trial has been too much for her.
She's overwrought."
Broderck who overheard the remark
grinned sardonically. Turning to Thorne,
he remarked:
I'm an expert in these matters. It's
got all the earmarks of the real thing
Murgatroyd did we'll" And then. as one
who enjoyed all the privileges of the court
room, he advanced close to the bench and,
shading his mouth while he spoke sug-
gested genially:
Your Honor. get out the Penal Code"
But the Court merely beckoned to Thorne
and suggested that he take charge Of his
client: that the strain had been too much
for her. And much as Thorne wanted to
believe her story he felt as the Court felt !:
that the tale was little short Of prepos-
ferrous.
"But-it's true" Miriam persisted to her
counsel, incredible as It may SEEM"
Thorne eyed her steadily for a few mo-
ments At last he said:
"At any rate. 1t may have some effect
upon the verdict" And then addressing
himself to the Bench he exclaimed: Your
Honor, Mrs Challoner assures me that this
charge is absolutely true" And. finally.
turning to Murgatroyd, IT should like to
hear from Prosecutor Murgatroyd as to
the truth or falsity of thls?'
AS the two men faced each other Shirley
once more touched Miriams arm. and said
affectionately:
Miriam, do you realize all that you are
saying? Look into my eyes. dear, and tell
me candidly, Is it true? ."
Before God l swear 1T" And moment
later she added. and he never kept his
word"
We'll. Mr.. Prosecutor, what have you got
to say?" asked the Court, a trifie apollo
getcaly.
During the pause that Immediately en-
SUED Miriam Challoner wondered what
Murgatroyd would say; what he could say
what was left for him to say,
Ihe prosecutor stood in the center Of an
open space, and, looking first at Miriam,
then at Thorne and finally at the court. he
answered gravely:
Your Honor. have heard the charge.
| don't see that it behooves me to answer
II as this time, nor indeed" bowing to-
ward the court, before this tribunal If
II be charge made in earnest-as It seems
to be-then the only question that can
possibly interest this court Is whether I
nave done my duty toward the people of
the state. The charge assumes the pro-
portions OF brlbe to free guilty man.
My answer is, | have convicted Challoner.
III there was bribe, ii was a bribe that
didn't work..
The Court stared with the rest. Peter
Brodericl; gazed at Murgatroyd in OPEN
mouthed admiration; even Miriam felt
baffied unaccountably.
Mr. Thorne," said the Court, ''if this
charge be made in good faith, and even
assuming assuming II 10 Dc literally true, isn't the
prosecutor rlghtE 1t cannot be that this
eharge Is true but If Mrs Challoner claims
IL 70 De true II you believe 1t to be true
Her remedy then' is to go to the Grand
jury and indict, to the Legislature and i'm
peach" He paused judicially and added,
me iuIiest reiutauon atter all, Is that
the prosecutor did convict"
Thorne considered for an instant.
II agree entirely with your Honor" he
assented. bowing
''The incident is closed" went on the