Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-05-31

" ttie OiHtrS. he uiu not answer.
The policeman went to him and tapped
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 We're 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 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 ut 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, folio ed by Pierpont and the
judge. Royce deposited Gloria on
divan and, putting a cushion under her
feet, ran to fetch a glass of water
from the ice water stand. He sprin-
killed. her 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,
pointed to the door, crying, THAT man
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 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 a glance over his
shoulder at the judge, then hurried
through the gate and through the
crowd and out. The judge waited a
moment, bordering deeply.
An officer brought to the bar two
fierce looking desperadoes. The judge
motioned them to wait and left the
troll himself.
When Gloria saw the judge return
ing she ran to him demanding, rs he
there? Is he a prisoner?"
The judge shook his head and num-
bled, 'Ile had gone when l got there"
Gloria flew into a fury and command
ed, "rhen 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 go
ing up or down the stairs when the
tramp came down, forcing his way
through the crowd. He ran into
policeman standing there. The pc.
pliceman gave him q shove and he
hurried away.
Back in the retiring room Gloria
thought hard a moment, then made III
her mind, and darted for the door t
the street.
Pierpont checked her. "Where are
you goingY
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 a 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
q delirium. Why?"
Royce was startled by her tone.
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