Daily Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1918-191?, 1918-04-14
The
Vindicaion

By Saidee EaeIle Balloon

tcopyrieAt. 1917. western Newspaper Unionj
The shades of the house were low
cred and the place bore n general ut
mnsphcrr 81 gloom. In one room. atone,
and her tears falling n she mechanic
ally counted the stitches In some en-
broidery she was working at. Myrn
Lane bent her head like crushed be-
ing. consumed with a woeful misery
for which there seemed TO be- no sur
cease.
A mile away. confined In a prison
cell her father paced up and down the
narrow confined space. compromising
/ that II within n week some evidence In
his favor was not produced he was nj
the mercy ~ a jury composed Of men
likely 10 follow the influence OF lgnor-
ancc and prejudice.
A square away. a man who had lust
left the forlorn prisoner. his hands
clasped behind him. his walk slow and
measured. his eyes bent TO she ground.
was revolving over and over In his
mind n plan to assist the client he had
Just left. Lawyer John Bird fancied
he saw single CLEAN Of light In the
vague dimness OF the environment of
the unfortunate man accused of muir
der.
His steps led him to the lobby OF
hote.. where he sat down In one Of the
a,mchairs at rest. TO continue his cogi-
tations. Grouped together n few feet
away. engaged In casual conversation
and at times joking and reciting droll
stories, were four young men. Lawyer
Bird knew them. and had nodded as he
passed them. He raised his head as he
seated himself. and his wise. critical
eyes took them In as though their pres
ence suggested some idea In relation 10
his present train Of thought.
He was q keen observer OF humanity
and an expert analyst. While each of
the young men was Of a different tenn
permanent. they were on an average Of
q respectable. well-behaved class. The
infection OF their tones caught his
hearing.
Ned Wing. the fat. jolly fellow OF
the group. uttered blum. hearty ala
lila :" at the relation OF n funny story.
indicating little depth OF character out
side Of taking things as they came.
with q trend Of mind difficult TO i'm
press with any sense Of responsibility
or serious attention TO the practical
things Of life.
Frank Carter. with his Indifferent
"Hoi Hol" betrayed a cynical. haff-
hearted regard for passing events. and
to the mental view Of the lawyer could
not be relied on to stir far from a
routine OF selfishness In his compre-
hension Of the duty Of man 10 man.
/ The "Hei He" Of diminutive. fop-
pish Gwyn Lavelle was suggestion Of
his petty grasp Of life. The fourth Of
the coterie smiled only. He spoke al
ways In a low. unobtrusive tone, like
n man who knew the art Of listening
and was a thinker.
He is my man." murmured the law
yer and arose and approached the
quartette. "Can l speak with you for
a momentr' he spoke aloud.
Certainly. Mr.. Bird" responded
Awyn Prescott promptly. Excuse
me-" he directed at his friends. and
courteously followed Mr.. Bird to some
seats Mt distance.
Il am In need OF some assistance, or
rather cooperation" spoke the lawyer
gravely. and the clear. earnest eyes Of
the young man evidenced close atten-
ton. 81 must ind some one 20 exc
cute a dificult mission for me. and I
hope you are so situated that you can
give me your services for q week. I
am authorized 10 LAY the person who
will undertake the task thu sum Of one
thousand dollars"
The announcement naturally startled
Prescott. but the lawyer. as he knew.
had appeared In some very important
cnses where wealthy clients did not
stint the fees. II am fixed so l Gun
leave my regular work for the period
OF time you name" he said at once.
Are you sure I am the man for the
taskr'
II know you. and have selected you
as just the man." replied the lawyer.
"You and your three friends know Miss
Lane and admire her. well know. You
are aware Of the terrible trouble and
peril that has come 10 her father. II
may the more intere u you. II tell you
that the whole future happiness of fn-
ther and daughter depends upon what
you may do through my instructions In
shal~ h.hslta