The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-11-05


there ever was palm tree there, al
though Sir John Saunders, the oldest
inhabitant of the Court, declares it
stood on the spot where the stone
flags incline to a small drain which
carries oisPthe rain water. To hear
him talk you would think he had seen
the tree, which is ridiculous, andH only
mention this opinion because the drain
happens to be opposite the door of No.
5, and on the third floor of that build
ing happen to live. This may appear
round about way of introducing my
self, possibly you will find the method
characteristic of men. Barristers,
waiting for briefs and recognition,
often take to the pen to keep them
selves going, but l never had any
inclination this way, let alone the abil-
ity, so now that it has fallen to my lot
down these chronicles they suffer
naturally at the hands of novice. At
any rate you have gathered that am
barrister and briefless.
It is fortuitous wind which drifts
most of us into our particular rut in
life, and l think / must have been
blown into the wrong rut. My fathers
idea that because there were many
solicitors in the family a barrister
ought to have an excellent opportun-
ity. Several of my legal relations died
about the time / was called, and the
others prereferred to take their bust
ness to someone who had no connec-
ton with the family. l do not blame
them; l would sooner deal with
strangers myself. Their neglect did
not trouble me greatly. had enough
to make two ends meet, and to be
candid, my youth longed for more
strenuous adventure than l was likely
to find in the law courts. / lacked the
energy to get out of my groove and
seek adventure, but was quite ready
to welcome it if it came to me. And
it did It came knocking at my door
in the mot unexpected and tartling
manner.
am metaphorical when say ad-
venture knocked at my door; as fact,
it began at my window, half an hour
after breakfast-not very early meal
on this particular morning, by the
way. It was late March, the first
touch of Spring was in the air, and
having lighted cigarette, l threw
open my window and looked out. Palm
Tree Court is not beauty spot. The
buildings are too high to admit much
sunlight. Entrance at one end is
through short tunnel; at the other
there are three arches, which we call
the colonnade end. 1t requires little
imagination if you have ever seen a
real colorado /. This morning there
was as much sunlight as ever got into
the court, but it was the girl going
toward the colorado which lent it
especial grace and beauty. She wore
long brown fur coat and toque to
match, not a particularly distinguish
ing costume because lot of girls were
wearing these coats just then, but
there was something which differenti-
ated her from others. There was an
elasticity in her step, a swing to her
body which attracted me; it was not
merely the fact that she was the only
girl in the world visible at the moment.
The opening of my window had made
a noise, suppose and she glanced up.
OF course, was looking at her from
an angle, and from the height of a
third floor, but got the impression
that she was pretty. AS she entered
the colorado she looked up again,
smiled and gave little wave of her
hand in which she carried her glove.
/ can almost hear the thought
passing through the minds of some
people, Not a nice type of girl they
argue, but remember it was the first
touch of Spring. 1t was in my blood,
/ Jumped to the conclusion it was also
in hers, and thought no harm. had
to change my coat and put on my
shoes, but only few moments elapsed
before l was rushing down the stairs.
On the bottom fight met an elderly
gentleman coming up-it would per-
haps be more correct to say l just
missed him in my hasty descent.
as there Mr.. Anderson in this
building he asked as l went past
him.
"Second floor, but he hasn't been
4 here for months" called back over
my shoulder
ran as far as the Temple Church,
then halted, wondering whether the