The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-29
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Golden Barrier.
BY A. w. PEACH.

~ ROM his office window over the
village square Attorney John
: Stephens had seen the springs
d 6orty years work their magic spell
on the gray grass left after the reced-
Ing shows. He was the only lawyer
n the town, and the secrets hidden
under his white hair were the secrets
q generations He knew the stories
and lives OF his people and their inter-
ests were his.
So. wher he saw a dapper stylish
polished man come up the street from
the station he became suspicious,
knowing the type that spread trouble
wherever they go. He saw the man
was coming to the office.
He did enter, greet the lawyer cor
daily, and skillfully state his mis-
SION. He wished to engage Stephen to
act as the local attorney for his firm
At q salary that made the old attorney
start.
"Just what do you want in return for
that salary?" Stephens asked.
With assurance the other explained,
and Stephens. old in the ways OF men,
read the purpose.
"Mr. Amiens," the old lawyer said
quietly, II have read that in your city
there is firm that offered to sell
post holes, and the proposition you
have is worse than that. You should
be Jailed for representing 1t. My adj
vice to you is to go on-leave the peo-
pie here alone. You will bring moth
ing but regret"
The other smiled. Sorry, but |
can't accept your invitation. have
other business here. In fact, was
asked to come"
Stephens watched the well-groomed
figure cross the street and enter a
store over which was sign, William
Joslyn,' With grunt Of disgust the
lawyer leaned back.
$50 Will is after another scheme to
get rich fast" he said to himself, and
lapsed into musing.
The romance of the village was CEN
tered in William Joslyn and Emma
Adams. Emma had inherited wealth Of
her father and lived in the old man
sion on the hill. William had loved
her and still did; and she loved him
% that the old attorney was certain.
The one thing that stood between
Will and her was her money. Whether
abe knew that or not Stephens did
not know. He had sighed over the mat
ter, had chatted with William, but that
firm. quiet, old fashioned and set In
divtdual could not live on his wife's
money and keep up his own respect
and he had little money Of his own.
Now. so the lawyer unused, he was
probably going into a get.rich-q,hck
scheme to get the money he wanted
IN order to have the right to speak to
Emma.
Its a queer world and there are a
lot Of queer people in It," Stephens
thought as he rose from his chair.
That evening he met the calm-faced
patient Joslyn and warned him against
investing IN the Starr Investment Com.
pany. Joslyn thanked him for his adj
vice, and then went on to say that he
had invested in it-all he had.
"You stand to lose every cent Of J"
the lawyer said.
II stand to win. too. I am tired OF
waiting for my ship. am going out
TO meet 1t was the quiet answer.
Tired OF waxing" the lawyer said
to himself as he went to his office for
his evening smoke. Hell have a
longer wait STILL"
Three months went by, and then
came the shock. He discovered that
there was rumor around the village
that Emma had invested all her for
tune IN the Starr Company, The old
lawyer, getting the rumor straight, i'm
mediately set out for the Adams home.
Like some picture of other days
come to life she came to meet him, as
stmple, honest and beautiful as one Of
her roses.
He asked her anxiously about the
aituatton-whether it was true that
che had invested In the firm. She nod
ded. Stephens looked at her in de-
SPAR and wrath. miss Adams, your
father trusted me and his father trust
cd me. Why did you not come to me
tor advice? That firm is a gang OF
crooks operating within the law and
just statute or two out Of jail. You
VIII lose every cent-and ! know It."
She was smiling into her lawyers
eyes. and she said simply, 81 am not
worrying"
He stared at her. wondering, but
nut when he was on the way home he
guessed the reason behind her mad
ness.
"of all wild dreams Of foolish hearts
IN love. She wants to lose the money
90 that chump OF Puritan Joslyn will
ask her to marry him; and that fool
% get rich, so he can, has invested in
the same crazy scheme-good heav.
ens!" the angry lawyer suffered to
himself.
Once more In his office, be slammed
down his hat and stood in thought
TO be aroused by his telephone. He
answered 1t and heard Miss Emmas
sweet voice say, IN odd note OF pleas.
tre IN It. Dear old friend, Just got
my mail: and they write me that for
several reasons my investment failed
and my money is gone"
He dropped the receiver with eroan
Ana you want me to get the word to
Jostyn! Never, I'll get the money
hack"
70 plan was to act: and the evening
train carried the old lawyer to the city
niles away. The next morning he was
hot on the trail OF the Starr Invest
nleut Company.
He .curd them and grtmly held on
uuttl he was ushered into the splendid
private office OF Amiens who greeted
hip With the same smooth manner as
months ago IN the office In the village.
Il Swiftly the attorney told his errand
and biz nnrnoae-tn gave 70. Miar Err,