The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-01-16
n. "
"a Friend
Indeed
go

w~oRTHINCroN

II cannot take your case, Mr..
Boyd"
Wilton Brice was definite in tone
and face as he spoke. but there was a
tremor to his frame. He was by no
means friendly viii, his caller, PEREZ
val Boyd, but that was not the reason
that he had refused to act as his at
tOrney. He asked IL client with WHOM
he was ,sOnyersiug to step into the
anteroom while lie consulted with the
newcomer.
The latter was the prosperous man
ufactnrer OF a 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 a new scale, which was
so superior to the Boyd possession
that there could b, little doubt as to
its eventually understanding It's COM
petitOr.
Only a month previous Price had
me Mr.. Mayhem, and the ole inventor
had asked him to come to his home
in a professional capacity. There Mr..
Mayhem had gone over the details of
his experience with the Boyd people,
had 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.. Mayhem.
He told me the other day that he
had a document given to his father
years ago and signed by myself, in
which agreed never again to engage
in the scale business, and il ever
did, or made any new inventions in
The line, / was to agree to TURF the
same over tn him on u ten per cent
royalty. This is not true, Mr.. Brice,'
declared the old inventor with ilnmis-
taxable sincerity. II never signed
such a paper.
At the Mayhem home for the first
time Brice me Anice, the old mans
daughter. 1t was not the last time.
however. She was a girl likely to at.
tract any man admiriag modesty, in
sOSSAhsG ~ IutCitf6CISC anu DTICc
fell strongly in love with her. Now,
when the n 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, Brice," spoke Boyd
slhartly, Il think YOU are making a
mistake. ! do not wish to Cypress
Mayhem, but | don't intend to lose my
rights. l had rather employ a local
lawyer like yourself. who might infiu-
ence a fellow townsman, than our
regular firm In the city. l have de-
cided that il you will not handle the
case | shall give 1t into their hands,
and Boyd took an addressed, stamped
envelope from his pocket and with
drew Its inclOsed sheet. 'There Is
the contract" he continued; read 1t
for yourself"
AS l have said, l cannot be your
attorney 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
= blank space" retorted Brice quickly.
Il believe In Mr.. Mayhew's statement
and will not take n case where l am
convinced the prospective client Is in
the wrong"
"Indeed!" snapped Boyd resentfully.
You were 1t SD careful In defending
the man who Just left the room, Jerry
Plympton. who Is q professional GRIM
inal."
'But who was innocent Of the spe-
cial charge l defended. and that Is
why ! won the case"
MY retainer fee would be d thou
sand dollars" insinuated Boyd spe-
ciouxly. ''Think u moment. l will
not hesitate to- spend money In win
Ming this case He lifted the fiap OF
the envelope toward his lips. "Once
seal this letter and post 1t your
chance Is gone"
Brice cOolly shrugged his shoulders
and with . muttered i~mprecation
Boyd sealed the envelope and left
the room, Brice arose aud went, into
the anterOOm. His client, Jerry
PlymptOn, had strangely departed. He
did not put 10 any further appear
ance that day, but az Brice that eve
ming rather glOomlly started on The
way to visit Mr.. Mayhem and report
what threatened, Jerry almost ran
Into him coming around the corner.
| Hello" hailed Brice. where
awayr'
New fields, where / can keep hon
est. Mr.. Brice." reported Jerry spiclly.
II think ! had better, for I was tempt
ed into our last dangerous act here.
I overheard that Boyd cad threaten
sou and ! followed him. He mailed
that letter. Well. I took my cue. l