The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-12-02
"a Friend
Indeed
M0
By RHoDA woRTHINGToN
Copyright. 1919, by tho western News
paper Unionl

h"RSA OAiohl
"I cannot take your case, Mr.
Boyd"
Wilton Brice was definite in ton,
ana face as he spoke, but there was 1
tremor to his frame. He was by NJ
means friendly with his caller, Perci
val Boyd, but that was not the reason
that he had refused to act as his at
torney. He asked a client with whom
he was conversing to step into the
anteroom While he consulted with the
newcomer.
The latter was the prosperous man
ufacturer of u patent scale which was
making him a fortune. Its inventor
was Andrew Mayhem, who had sold
or had been cozened out of an inter-
est IN the same by the father Of Boyd,
now deceased. More latterly Mayhem
had devised new scale, which WAS
SO superior to the Boyd possession
that there could be little doubt as to
its eventually outdlstancing its COM
petitOr.
only q month previous Brice had
met Mr.. Mayhem, and the old inventor
had asked him to come to his home
in professional capacity There Mr..
Mayhem had gone over the details Of
his experience with the Boyd people,
mad asked Brice TO look over his new
patent papers and advise him as to
the best course to pursue.
Il think young Boyd is trying to
block my way" said Mr.. Mayhew.
He told me the other day that he
had document given to his father
years ago and signed by myself, in
which | agreed never again to engage
In the scale business, and if l ever
did, or made any new inventions in
the line, l was to agree to turn the
same over to him on ten per cent
royalty. This Is not true, Mr.. Brice.o
declared the old inventor with unmis-
taxable sincerity. Il never signed
such paper.
At the Mayhem home for the first
time Brice met Anice, the old mans
daughter. 1t was not the last time.
however. She was a girl likely to at
tract any man admiring modesty, in
e'hN AAitSAHECHNCs anu IBIlCG
fell strongly in love with her. Now,
when the menace Mayhem feared ap-
peared, Brice was naturally disturbed
at the charge made against the father
OF the girl, whose fondest ambitions
were involved in getting a new start
in the world.
Tell you, Brlce," spoke Boyd
smartly, Il think you are making a
mistake. / do not wish to oppress
Mayhem, but l don't intend to lose my
rights. ! had rather employ a local
lawyer like yourself who might intlu-
ence a fellow townsman, than our
regular firm in the city / have de-
cided that If you will not handle the
case l shall give it into their hands," I
and Boyd took an addressed, stamped
envelope from his pocket and with
drew its inclosed sheet. There is
the contract" he continued; "read it
for yourself"
"As l have said, I cannot be your
in the premises" he spoke.
And why not." demanded Boyd
sharply.
Because the copy Mr.. Mayhem
showed me does not contain the clause
IN your own"
"Erasures are easy and convenient
ut times" sneered Boyd.
mo more so than the filling in Of
l blank space" retorted Brice quickly.
I believe in Mr.. Mayhews statement
lhd will not take a case where l am
the prospective client is in
he wrong"
"lndeed! snapped Boyd resentfully.
You weren't so careful in defending
he man who just left the room, Jerry
'lympton, who is a professional Grim.
nal."
But who was innocent of the spe-
'ial charge l defended, and that is
Why l won the case"
My retainer fee would be a thou
and dollars" insinuated Boyd spe-
iously. Think moment. 1 will
lot hesitate to spend money in win.
ling this case" He lifted the flap Of
he envelope toward his lips. "Once
seal this letter and post it your
hance is gone"
Brice coolly shrugged his shoulders
nd with a muttered imprecation
'oyd sealed the envelope and left
he room, Brice arose and went into
he anteroom. His client, Jerry
'lympton, had strangely departed. He
id not put in any further appear
nee that day, but as Brice that eve
Ing rather gloomily started on the
'ay to visit Mr.. Mayhem and report
hat threatened, Jerry almost ran
ITO him coming around the corner.
Hello" hailed Rrice. "Where
way?"
"New fields, where l can keep hon
st, Mr.. Brice," reported Jerry spicily.
think | had better, for was tempt
4 into our last dangerous act here.
overheard that Boyd cad threaten
on and / followed him. He mailed
nat letter Well, took my cue.
aited till he was out of sight, poked
few lighted matches into the mail
Ok, waited till things smoked-and
nat fake contract will never trouble
Dur good old client aRainn