Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-11-15

the wall licked away the minutes and
she was getting inpatient bit an
gry-for 1t seemed R IL her fathers
friend had deserted her in her hour
of extremity, when his eyes opened
and he brought his Est down on the
desk heavily, Jolting q 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
IL have no right to trouble YOU
about that. You"
"Never mindw he Interrupted, run
ming his hand contntedly over his
broad, bald pate. "Jes' leave 1t 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-lets sea week from today.
that's it-a week from today"
And he settled back again In his
chair and seemed to b browsing. She
started to speak, then checked herself,
and, looking at him doubtfully, 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 large
box. On the opposite side, from be-
hind the wide trunk of an oak, there
stepped q gray-haired but vigorous old
gentleman, and, staring after them, h"
shook his fist ut their backs menac-
ingly.
"Well, John Summers" grated Judge
Bates between his teeth, for it was he
who had been watching the house OPP
poslte for nearly an hour. $50 you're
jiltin' Ruth, eh?" He started to NUT
ter something else, when sudden res
olution seized him and he swung
across to the watched cottage and rang
the bell
Judge Bates 70 exclaimed Mrs.
Burns in surprise, as she opened the
door, "What brings you here?
II want to see young Summers" he
answered, jumping at an excuse.
"Why, you just missed him." an
swered the woman she 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-nop answered the surprised
| 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 COM
ment. Five minutes later he left the
house, but q humorous twinkle had set
In the corners Of his keen old eyes and
there was a grim set to his lips, as he
ambled back toward the courthouse.
1t was early morning, three days
later, as Judge Bates sat across his
| desk from John Summers. For several
| seconds he had stared at the young
man silently, then he broke into
| speech.
you're a funny mixture Summers"
! he WAS saying. you're q whopping
4 big fool, and durn fine man. l kinda
recksned you was a bit proud. But
| tn fool part of 1t is--stoppin' speakin
! TO girl jes' cause she's got money an
you haven't Hang it, boy, haven't you
/ got gumption enough to be lookin' for
ward? Dye expect { be poor all your
life? Y got tn counselorship fer tn
pillow works over t Grandin. An you're
/ tn lawyer for the two Smith old maids
You're gettln' on. What's the matter
with your"
"But haven't as much as Ruth has,
| Judge" stubbornly persisted the young
| lawyer "And don't want her for her
money"
"Stop!" Numbered the judge. bring
ing his fist down upon the desk. stop
| before 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 1t went TO a younger man. The
/ law allows Z per cent commission on
the estate. That with what you've got
now. viii be as much as Ruth's got.
Dye See?'
yes, but" John started to pro-
test but again the judge exploded.
"No huts," he snapped; you're ap-
pointed trustee for the Marston estate
to take effect at once. lists an
order of this court. And what's more
yen find Ruth over there in the next
room. You've had your fiji mt looking
round your room at her picture. Now,
/ go get q good look" And n second
later a resounding smack from the
next room acquainted Judge Bates
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