The Elbert County tribune., 1917-04-20

Inc pOilcelnan went TO MIN anu tuppeu
him on the shoulder. The man turned
suddenly in fright. He regained some
composure as the policeman smiled at
him.. He smiled 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 wearily and said. "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
sprang 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 In 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 on a
divan and, putting cushion under her
feet, ran to fetch a glass Of water
from the Ice water stand. He sprin-
kled her face lightly. The Judge and
Pierpont murmured together in bewil-
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.
pointed to the door, crying. 'That man
that man Is the murderer saw him
when he killed my Dicki"
She fairly assailed the judge to drive
him back to the courtroom, crying
"Quick QuickI Stop himr'
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 at the tramp, then
back at the door, hesitated, set his jaws
in stern resolution, motioned to the of
ficer. and said, Release him."
The policeman holding the tramp let
him go. He threw glance over his
shoulder at the judge, then hurried
through the gate and through the
crowd and out. The judge waited
moment, ponderlng deeply.
An officer brought to the bar two
fierce looking desperadoes. The judge
motioned 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, rs he
there? Is he prlsoner?"
The judge shook his head and num-
bled, 'He had gone when l got there"
Gloria flew into n fury and command
ed, "Then 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
lettering outside the courtroom or 60
ing up or down the stairs when the
tramp came down. forcing his way
through the crowd. He ran into a
policeman standing there. The po-
pIlceman gave him shove and he
hurried away.
Back in the retiring room Gloria
thought hard moment, then made up
her mind, and darted for the door to
the street.
Pierpont checked her. where are
you going"
Gloria answered. resolutely: ITO
find that man."
She tore the door open and rushed
through. Royce seized his overcoat
and dashed after her. Down the pri-
vate stairs to the judges room ran
Gloria, followed u moment later by
Royce. Reaching the street, Gloria
stared up and down, wildly searching
the crowd. She was frantic to see the
tramp. She turned to Royce, question
ing him suspiciously. "The judge let
him go. Why?"
Royce shrugged his shoulders and
tried to dismiss the riddle.
Gloria rounded on him with sudden
doubt. "And you told me it was all
delirium. Why?'
Royce was startled by her tone.