The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

Iha policeman vent to him and tapred
r | on re shoulder. The m:n turned
denl' i'll fright. He rega;Hed some
pos e as tie policeman smiled at
49,. L. sili.cd back craftily.
Gloria and Royce were Whispering
and laughing together over Mulry's
wrath. They did not see the new pris-
oner brought in. When he came to
the bar the officer spoke as he handed
up the complaint. The Judge nod
ded YEARLY and sc;d plain drunk.
First offense. Discharged"
At the sound OF the judges voice
Gloria looked up. Her casual smile
changed. slowly to wonder. incredulity,
conviction. wild excitement, She
s,eranG to her feet, Pointing at the
man and trying to cry out She top
pied and swoOned as Doctor Royce
leaped to catch her
The prisoner gaped il amazement
and started to leave, but the police
man checked him.
Royce carried Gloria out of the
room, followed by Pierpont and the
judge. Royce deposited Gloria en- a
divan and, putting a cushion under her
feet, ran to fetch q glass Of water
from the ice water stand. He sprin-
klcd hcr face lightly. The Judge and
Pierpont murmured together in Devil
derment. Gloria returned gradually
to consciousness, looked about still
dazed and wondering. At length she
saw the judge, lifted herself to her
feet, and, finally gaining her voice,
rod To
that man is the murderer! saw him
when he killed my Dick!"
She fairly assailed the judge to drive
him back to the courtroom, crying
"Quick! Quick! Stop him!''
The Judge walked out more slowly
than Gloria wished. Gloria started to
follow. Pierpont restrained her. Royce
tried to quiet her.
The crowd in the courtroom was
Still in furry of excitement when
the court officer called for order The
tramp was greatly alarmed. He strug-
gled with the policeman The Judge
entered and paused with one foot on
the step. He stared ct the tramp, then
back at the door, hesitated, set his jaws
in stern resolution, r2otioned to the Of
fcer, and said, 'Re!ease him.
I The policeman holding the tramp let
him go. He threw a glance over his
shoulder at the judge. then hurried
through the gate and through the
crowd and out. The Judge waited a
moment, pondering deeply.
An officer brought to the bar two
fierce looking desperadocs. The judge
motioncd them to wait and left the
! courtroom, pausing at the door to con-
troll himself.
When Gloria saw the Judge return
ing she ran to him demanding, lis he
there? IS he a prisoner?
The judge shook his head and mum
bled, Gle had gone when got there
Gloria flew into a fury and command.
cd, "Hhcn send some one after him.
The judge shrugged his shoulders, nod
ded, and went slowly back TO the court
room. The outside steps Of the court
were lighted by street lamps and the
court lamps. Various people were
joitering outside the courtroom or go
ing up or down the stairs when the
tramp came down, forcing his way
through the crowd. He ran into q
! policeman standing there. The po
, pliceman gave him a shove and he
hurried away.
Back in the retiring room Gloria
thought hard L moment, then made UI
her mind, and darteu for the door tC
the street.
Pierpont checked her. "Where are
you going?'
Gloria answered, resolutely: ''Tl
find that man."
She tore the door open and rushed
through. Royce seized his overcoa
and dashed after her. Down the pri
vate stairs to the judges room RAJ
Gloria, followed a moment later b!
Royce. teaching the street, GloTi;
stared up and down, wildly searclin;
the crowd. She was frantic to see thu
tramp. She turned to Royce, question
ing him susDiciously. 'The Judge le
him go. Why?"
Royce shrugged his shoulders an(
| tried to dismiss the riddle.
Gloria rounded on him with sudde1
doubt. "And you tod me it was al
, delirium. Why's"
, Royce was startled by her tone