The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1921-06-24
Darkness
and Dawn
BY HAZEL SMITH
"a. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

1t was merely business coinci-
dence that James A. Holton, lawyer,
had offices in the same skyscraper
where James B. Holton, also lawyer,
had an Office. The comparison, how
ever. was grotesque Judge" Holton
occupied a suite on the second floor.
about as elaborate as the upholsterer's
art could make it. "Jim" Holton, as
| his friends Familiarity called him, had
little ten-by-twelve room at the top
| story. 1t contained a worn rug, a
small desk, two chairs and q book
case holding only the most necessary
law books required in the profession.
| At these, his sole possessions, Jim
was staring gloomily. 1t was the
darkest hour in his life, and the late
afternoon shadows formed a fitting
frame for his environment. The agent
for the building surveyed Jim rather
pityingly.
Sorry, Mr.. Holton," he said, "but
It's the rule. There's two months
rent overdue. I'll just have the stuff
here stored with good care. Soon as
you get on your feet again you can
pay up and get 1t back"
NO" said Jim defiantly; "sell it.
I'm through"
Don't say that" spoke the agent.
Don't give up the ship-always dark
est before the dawn, you know"
"1'll be on hand when you call on
me-" he added as he left.
Holton pulled open a drawer AS if
q devil had stung him, his hand shot
out eagerly at the little silver-mount-
ed weapon it contained.
1.-THE quick way" he said hoarsely.
There was a click. Then with a shud.
der he flung the weapon back into the
drawer, crashed it shut, and his face
fell across his arms. Some power
drove his lips to the low sobbing ut
teranee of prayer, learned at his
mothers knee.
rs this Mr.. Holton?' asked timid,
almost frightened voice.
"I-that is" the girl was pale and
her hand was trembling as she ten
Gered large envelope There was
no doubt that she had seen the
#eapon and heard the prayer She
was confused in delivering a mes
SAGE. My aunt. Mrs. Helen Hurley,
asked NE to give you this. 1t is
something about-about another law
yer, and-you are to write aunt or
see her"
Then she was gone. Jim sank to
a chair. His heart had leaped up
at such loneliness. But-not for him
He, penniless, failure! He opened
the envelope, supposing it to be some
papers in one of the few law cases
he had assisted in. Around file of
documents two fifty-dollar bills were
folded. Next to them was a note. 1t
read:
Il am the attorney at Sackville of
Mrs Hurley. She will come to you to
assist her in getting possession of
some important papers, will give you
a retainer fee, and if we win the
case at this end there will be a con-
tingent fee for you.'
| Why" exclaimed Jim glancing at
the envelope, this is for the Holton
downstairs. All that money!
An hour later Jim was ushered
into suite of rooms in an apart
nent house three miles away. An
old lady and a young one arose TO
gleet him.
Mr.. Holton-you are prompt" said
/ TIE elder lady. holding his card in
! her hand. The younger one, his Office
F5sst7f locked at him With interest.
5ut strangely.
MIR. Helton. yes" said Jim with
eorcea smile. but not the Mr. Holton
-or whom these documents were in
0fea." And then jim told of the
TO- Holtan. # his ahsence. and hand