The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-11-16
By Order Of
Court
=
By Archey Cameron New

sleepy QeSOldllOn settled more thick
ly 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 to get away to cooler
climes. But off In one corner Of the
old gray building, in a small chamber,
rather imperfectly cooled by a large
electric fan, lounged one individual
who seemed to care not whether the
rest Of the world was sizzling. For be-
hind a desk, heaped high with law
books, stenographers' copies, blue
prints and papers Of every description,
his feet encased in large, roomy gal
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 of.
And into his musings. as if it were
a dream, there stole the sounds Of
the rustic of woman's dress, and sud
denly he turned his head toward the
half-opened door, and brought his feet
abruptly to the floor. For young de-
liciously cool little apparition in thin
blue frock, revealing a 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, 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?'
"T-came-for advice" faltered the
girl nervously.
'Well, this is the place." said the
other, smilingly. "Here-sit down.
And he graciously brushed the dust
from an old armchair and beckoned
the orphaned daughter Of his old law
partner to be seated. "What is the
troubIe?"
She regarded him a moment in
doubt, then plunged ahead.
"I-er-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. Is it-er-
love AFFAIR.""
She stared and looked into his keer
eyes before replying.
"Y-yes," she admitted, blushing flu
riously. "T-wanted to know If I coulf
that Is, can a young mango bach
on you whenever he wants to?"
The old Judge whistled.
49," he exclaimed. "Is that It
Who's the Teller? Is he-all right
Euth?"
III don't know as I ought to tel
YOU" she continued, "but l though
maybe / could sue him for breach O.
promise"
"Whatl" almost yelled the judge
~f No q
man for breach of promise? Never
Ny dear girl, where's your pride? Thu
idea !"
She dropped her eyes and blushet
more furiously than ever.
"Well, thought" she started, thel
breaking into tears, she cried, through
clenched hands, "but, judge, love hin
so And do want him. He's so fine
so noble. And maybe it's my fault
He
Tho judge, who was gazing at he
sympathetically, felt a wave of pater
nal interest surge through him, as h
reached forward again and patted he
arm.
"Come come" he soothed hel
"Brace up and tell me all about il
Breach Of promise suits never brin
'em back. Maybe there's another way
Tell me, who's the man? And what
the trouble?"
TITS John Summers" she answere
brokenly, and the Judge jumped agalr
mot that young Teller that's prae
ticing law over tn way?" demande
the judge, increduously. "What
Well, see here, he's nice boy. Tel
me the rest"
"Well," she continued. she was &c
ing with me until papa died. Then h
started to grow cold. He stopped con
ing to the house, except once in
while, and then he didn't come at al
And-and now he's going with the gin
next to us. They moved here from tn
city six months ago, and he's boardin
at her house. They're always togethel
What can I do?"
The judge bit an end off his plug G
tobacco and settled back In his chat
to think. Young John Summers
Why, he was one of the brightest an
finest young men that practiced befor