Catoctin clarion., 1918-02-28
The
Viindication
By Saidee E.stelle Balloon


The shades of the house were low
cred and the place bore general at
mosphere of gloom. In one room, alone,
and her tears falling as she mechanic
ally counted the stitches In some en-
broidery she was working at, Myra
Lane bent her head like crushed be-
ing, consumed with wOeful misery
for which there seemed to be no sur
cease.
A mile away, confined in q prison
cell her father paced up and down the
narrow confined space, comprehending
that If within week some evidence In
his favor was not produced, he was at
the mercy Of jury composed Of men
likely to follow the influence of ignor-
ance and prejudice.
A square away, man who had just
left the forlorn prisoner, his hands
clasped behind him, his walk slow and
measured, his eyes bent to the ground,
was revolving over and over in his
mind plan to assist the client he had
Just left. Lawyer John Bird fancied
he saw a 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
hotel, where he sat down in one Of the
armchairs ut rest, to continue his cogi-
tations. Grouped together few feet
away, engaged in casual conversation
and at times joking and reciting droll
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 to
his present train Of thought.
He was keen observer Of humanity
and an expert analyst. While each Of
the young men was Of different tenn
perament, they were on an average OF
respectable, well-behaved class. The
infection of their tones caught his
hearing.
Ned Wing, the fat, jolly fellow Of
the group, uttered bluff, hearty "Ha
Ha !" at the relation of funny story,
indicating little depth of character out
side of taking things as they came,
with a 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
''Ho! Ho!" betrayed cynical half
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 to man.
The HE! 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
q man who knew the art Of listening
and was thinker.
"He is my man." murmured the law
yer and arose and approached the
quartette. "Can l speak with you for
a moment2" he spoke aloud.
Certainly, Mr.. Bird" responded
Alwyn Prescott promptly. Excuse
me-" he directed at his friends, and
courteously followed Mr.. Bird to some
seats at distance.
II 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. II must find some one to exc
cute a difficult mission for me, and I
hope you are SO situated that you can
give me your services for week.
am authorized to pay the person who
will undertake the task the sum Of one
thousand dollars"
The announcement naturally startled
Prescott, but the lawyer, as he knew,
had appeared in some very important
cases where wealthy clients did not
stint the fees. II am fixed so I. can
leave my regular work for the period
of time you name," he said at once.
"Are you sure 1 am the man for the
task?"
~ 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 to her father. It
may the more interest you, If ! tell you
that the whole future happiness of fa-
ther and daughter depends uLon what
you may do through my instructions in
their behalf"
Immediately a quick flash came into
the eyes of the young man, slight
flush transfused his face, his lips quiv-
cred. The astute old barrister had not
missed his mark. Alwyn Prescott loved
Myra Lane, although she had never
shown any more preference for his
company than for that Of his three
friends.
"The evidence against Mr., Lane"
proceeded the lawyer, "seems to show
that after quarrel here with Matthew
Blair, he went down to Gresham to de-
mand of him a settlement Of an ac-
count, where he claimed Blair had
grossly swindled him. There were high
words, recriminatiOns. Threats passed
between the two men. Mr.. Lame came
back here that same evening. Blair
was found shot through the heart in
the yard Of his home an hour later.
You know what followed. The accusa-
! tlon, the arrest. Yesterday a woman
who lives n abort distance from the