Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-11-09

his clients-what few he hadi There
was something back Of it. But what?
For a few moments he shut his eyes,
and 1t 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 1t 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,
IL have no right to trouble you
about that You"
"Never mindr' he interrupted, rum
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 1es' run along, and come back
here-let's sea- week from today.
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 herself,
and, looking at him doubtfully, half
lovingly, she tiptoed from the room
and closed the door.
A clean-llmbed young man, with a
nj MT CT
Burns cottage, laughing merrily. They
swung down the village street in step,
he carrying suitcase, and she 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 1t 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 hereT
II 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 bump.
"Can-I-er-would you" he STAN
lmered confusedly, "show me his rooml
lI-er-rd like to see how the young
man is f1xed."
"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 humorous twinkle had set
in the corners of his keen old eyes and
there was q grim set to his lips, as he
ambled back toward the courthouse.
It 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 funny mixture, Summers"
he was saying You're a whopping
big fool, and q durn fine man. kinda
reckoned you was bit proud But
tn fool part of 1t is-stoppin' speakin'
to girl jes' cause she's got money an
you haven't. Hang 1t, boy, haven't you
got gumptlon enough to be lookln' for
ward2 Dye expect t be poor all your
life2 Y got tn counselorship fer tn
pillow works over t Grandin. An you're
tn lawyer for the two Smith old maids.
You're gettin' 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 I-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 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 seer"
Eyes, but" John started to pro-
test, but again the Judge exploded.
mo butts" he snapped; 'you're APP
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 fill at looking
round your room at her picture. Now,
go get a good lookw And a second
later a resounding smack from the
next room acquainted Judge Bates
with the fact that the order Of court
had been obeyed.