The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-04

dUOuL Ludl. 1Ou
Never mind" 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 in.
terest 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 to.
day. That's it--a week from today"
And he settled back again in his
chair and seemed to be browsing. She
started to speak, then checked her.
self, and looking at him, half doubt.
fully, half lovingly, she tiptoed from
the room and closed the door.
A clean-limbed young man, with a
girl at his side, emerged from the
Burns cottage. laughing merrily. They
swung down the village street in step
he carrying suitcase, and she a
large box. On the opposite side, from
behind the wide trunk OF an oak.
there stepped a gray-haired but Wig.
orous old gentleman, and, starting at.
ter them. he shook his fist at their
backs menacingly.
We'll, John Summers" grated
Judge Bates between his teeth, for it
was he who had been watching the
house opposite for nearly an hour.
$50 you're jiltin' Ruth, eh?" He
started to mutter something else,
when sudden resolution 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" ans
wered the woman; "he and Rather.
inc just left. She's going back to the
city for six weeks. He's taking her
10 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 grasped. She
stared at him anazement, and he
caught her stare and brought himself
back to earth with bump.
Can I-er-would you" he STAN.
mered, confusedly, SHOW me his
room? I-er-Id like to see how the
young man is fixed"
"Why-no" answered the surpris.
ed Mrs. Burns, taken aback at the I'm.
usual request. This way, judge
Judge Bates prowled about John
Summers room, and several times
paused and took various photos in his
hand, then set them down without
comment. Five minutes later he left
the house, but a humorous twinkle had
set in the corner of his keen eyes and
there was grim set to his lips, as
her ambled back toward the court.
house.
1t was early morning, three days
later, as Judge Bates sat across his
desk from John Summers. For sever.
al seconds he had stared at the young
man silently, then he broke into
speech.
You're funny mixture, Summers"
he was saying. You're a whoopins
big fool, and durn fine man. l kin.
da reckoned you was a bit proud.
But tn fool part if it is-stoppin' to
a girl jes' cause she's got money
an you haven't. Hang it, boy, haven't
You got gumption enough TO be look
in forward? Dye expect t. be poo,
all your life? Y got tn counselship
fer tn Plow Work over t. Grandir.
An you're tn lawyer for the two
Smith old maids. You're gettin' on.
What's the matter with you?"
But l haven't as much as Ruth
has, judge stubbornly persisted the
young lawyer. "And l don't want her
for her money"
"Stop!" Numbered the Judge, bring.
ing his fist down upon the desk.
Stop before l-before this court loses
its temper. Now. see here, you proud
young fool, God bless you I'm trus.
tee for Ruth's money. and her two
brothers and sister, besides. Now I'm
getting too old for that job. It's about
time it went to younger man. The
law allows per cent, commission on
the estate. That, with what you've
got now, will be as much as Ruth's
got. Dye see?"
Yes, but" John started to protest,
but again the Judge exploded.
mo butts" he snapped; you're ap-
pointed trustee for the Marston es-
take effect at once. lists
an order of this court. And what's
more-yeIl find Ruth over there in