The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-11-16

For n few moments he shut his eyes, |
and ii seemed to her that he had |
drowsed off again. The old clock on |
the wall licked away the minutes and
she was getting impatient-a bit an !
gry-for it seemed as If her fathers
friend had deserted her in her hour
Of extremity. when his eyes opened
and he brought his fist down on the
desk heavily, jolting a few papers to
the floor.
"See here" he told her, "you leave
this to me. I'll tend to it,
But, judge" she demurred, gently,
II have no right TO trouble you
about that. You"
"Never mindr he interrupted, run
ming his hand contentedly over his
broad, bald pate. "Jes' leave it to me.
Us old fellers don't have much fun
these days. Nothin' new to interest
us. This here business will give me
something new to think about. Now,
you jes' run along, and come back
here-let's sea week from today.
that's it--a week from today"
And he settled back again IL his
chair and seemed to be browsing. She
started to speak, then checked herself,
and, looking at him doubtful1y, half
lovingly, she tiptoed from the room
and closed the door.
A clean-limbed young man, with
girl at his side, emerged from the
Burns cottage laughing merrily. They
swung down the village street in step,
he carrying a suitcase, and she a large
box On the opposite side, from be-
hind the wide trunk of an oak, there
stepped gray-haired but vigorous old
gentleman, and, staring after them, he
shook his fist at their backs menac-
ingly.
"Well, John Summers" grated Judge
Bates between his teeth, for it was he
who had been watching the house OPP
posite for nearly an hour. $50 you're
jiltin' Ruth, eh?' He started to NUT
ter something else, when a sudden res
olution seized him and he swung
across to the watched cottage and rang
the bell.
"Judge Bates |" exclaimed Mrs.
Burns In surprise, as she opened the
door. "What brings you here?"
81 want to see young Summers" he
answered, jumping at an excuse.
"Why, you just missed him." an
swered the woman; "he and Katherine
just left. She's going back to the city
for six weeks He's taking her to the
station. You see, Kits going to marry
Johns brother. He works up in the
city. Wanted her to come up and help
pick out the furniture"
Judge Bates stood and gasped. She
stared at him in amazement, and he
caught her stare and brought himself
back to earth with a bump.
"Can-I--er-would you," he STAN
mered confusedly, "show me his room
I-er-Td like to see how the young
man is fixed"
"Why-no!" answered the surprised
Mrs. Burns, taken aback at the un
usual request. This way, judge"
Judge Bates prowled about Johr
Summers room, and several times
paused and took various photos in his
hand, then set them down without com
ment. Five minutes later he left the
house. but q humorous twinkle had SCI
in the corners of his keen old eyes an6
there was a grim set to his lips, as hi
ambled back toward the courthouse
1t was early morning, three days
later, as Judge Bates sat across hi:
desk from John Summers. For severa
seconds he had stared at the youns
man silently, then he broke int
speech.
you're a funny mixture, Summers,
he was saying. you're a whoppin,
big fool, and a durn fine man. l kind,
reckoned you was a bit proud. Blu
tn fool part of it is-stoppin' speakin
to girl jes' cause she's got money an
Z you haven't. Hang it, boy, haven't yol
> got gumption enough to be lookin' for
ward? Dye expect t. be poor all you
| life? Y got tn counselorship fer tn
t pillow works over t. Grandin. An your
t tn lawyer for the two Smith old maids
You're gettin' on. What's the matte
. with your"
4 "But haven't as much as Ruth has
:. judge" stubbornly persisted the youn
e lawyer. "And don't want her for he
money"
! "Stop!" Numbered the judge, bring
ing his fist down upon the desk. "Sto
a before I-before this court loses it
d temper. Now, see here, you prou
a young fool, God bless you. I'm trus
), tee for Ruth's money and her tw
: brothers and sister, besides. Now In
getting too old for that job. It's abou
r time 1T went to a younger man. TIL
: law allows Z per cent commission O
e the estate. That with what you've &c
r now, will be as much as Ruths go
Dye seer"
:. "Yes, but" John started to pre-
t. test, but again the judge exploded.
g mo butts" he snapped; you're az
z. pointed trustee for the Marston estat
S to take effect at once. lists a
order of this court. And what's more
d yell find Ruth over there in the mex
/. room. You've had your fill at lookin
: round your room at her picture. Nov
d go get good look ~ And a secon
latar q racoupdiru smack from th