Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-11-09
ByOrder of
Court
a.
By Archey Cameron New

per Syndicate.)
Sleepy desolation settled more thick
ly on the courthouse square at placid
Euclid Corners as the mercury stead
lily rose In the tube and the county
seat siZzled under the fierce summer
heat. Even the few horses hitched out
side the general store while their mas
tiers dawdled on the steps with old Zeb
Marks, were too lazy to brush aside
the flies that swarmed about their
sweaty TANKS.
In the old courthouse across the
square the county clerk and his single
assistant, perched upon their high
wooden stools, scrawling at the docket,
bemoaned the fate that kept them
there while the summer recess afford
ed some Of their more fortunate breth-
rem chance to get away to cooler
climes. But off in one corner of the
old gray building, in small chamber
rather imperfectly cooled by a large
electric fan, lounged one individual
who seemed to care not whether the
rest of the world was sizzling. For be-
hind q desk, heaped high with law
books, stenographers' copies, blue
prints and papers Of every description
his feet encased in large, roomy gal.
tiers, and resting on the desk before
him, a huge silk "kerchief" wrapped
about his seamy neck and an old green
eyeshade perched atop his broad, hui
morous nose, old Judge Bates sat
drowsily staring at the printed page
before him, his thoughts afar Off.
And into his musings, as If II were
a dream, there stole the sounds OF
the rustic Of q woman's dress, and sud
denly he turned his head toward the
half-opened door, and brought his feet
abruptly to the floor. For young, de-
liciously cool little apparitlon in thin
blue frock, revealing a white, rounded
throat and a slender, graceful figure
from the top of her glorious golden
head to the tip Of her tiny slippers,
advanced toward him, a troubled look
in her big blue eyes.
"Well, bless my soul" exclaimed the
judge, kindly, rising and extending his
horny brown paw and grasping her
slim white hand cordially; 'llttle Ruth
Marston. What brings you In town
todayf
"I-came-for advice" faltered the
girl nervously.
'Wel1, this is the place" said the
other, smilingly. Here-slt down."
And he graciously brushed the dust
from an old armchair and beckoned
the orphaned daughter of his old law
partner to be seated. "What is the
troubled"
She regarded him a moment In
doubt, then plunged ahead.
T-er-if-er," she stapmered, and
he leaned forward and patted her hand
reassuringly.
"Go ahead" he urged, In a kindly
tone. Don't be afraid, Ruth. You're
Just like my own daughter. Is ter
love AFFAIR.""
She stared and looked into his keen
eyes before replying.
yves" she admitted, blushing fu-
riously. "I-wanted to know IL l could
that is, can young mango back
on you whenever he wants TOT"
The old judge whlstled.
$50" he exclaimed. as that iti
Who's the Teller? Is he-all right,
Ruth2"
IL don't know as 1 ought to tell
you" she continued, "but thought
maybe 1 could sue him for breach OF
promise"
"Whatl" almost yelled the Judge
"a daughter of Sam Marston suing q
man for breach Of promisef Never
My dear girl, where's your prldef The
ideap
She dropped her eyes and blushed
more furiously than ever.
"Well, thought" she started, then
breaking into tears, she cried, through
clenched hands, "but, Judge, l love him
sol And do want him. He's so fine
so noble. And maybe It's my fault
He"
The Judge, who was gazing at her
alphabetically, felt wave Of pater'
nal interest surge through him, as he
reached forward again and patted her
arm.
"Come, come" he soothed her
"Brace up and tell me all about It
Breach of promise suits never bring
'em back. Maybe there's another way
Tell me, who's the man7 And what's
the trouble?"
ats John Summers" she answered
brokenly, and the Judge jumped again
mot that young Teller that's prac
ticing law over tn way2" demanded
the judge. incredulously. "What
Well, see here, he's nice boy. Tel
me the rest"
SWELL" she continued, "he was go
ing with me until papa died. Then hi
started to grow cold. He stopped com
ing to the house, except once in 9
while, and then he didn't come Mt all
And-and now he's going with the CIR
next to us. They moved here from the
city six months ago, and he's boarding
at her house. They're always together
What can dor"
The Judge bit an end off his plug Of
tobacco and settled back in his chall
TO think. Young John Summers
Why, he was one of the brightest ant
finest young men that practiced befor,
him. Upright, honorable, always cour
teous to the court and considerate t