Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-06-08
Old Darrow's
Lawsuit
BY wINIFRED DUNBAR


Copyright, 1922, Western Newspaper Union.
Abel barrow had two appurte-
nances that were prominent and pc
culiar to himself-a wooden leg and
lawsuit. The false limb was old,
clumsy and splintery, for he could not
afford an artificial one. The lawsuit
also was frayed and worn and weak,
for the reason, Abel declared, that he
did not have the capital to push II to
a conclusion.
Abel worked in bank, and his du-
ties, like himself, were erratic. He
had charge of the waste paper depart
ment of the institution.
Abel lived in a garnet room of a
boarding house kept by Mrs. Smith,
Miss Eva Tracey lived at the same
place. She was a stenographer. and
through two years almost every day
Abel had bowed to her as they met
on the stairway or at the table.
One evening he came to know the
pretty maid very much better, how
ever, and it was bright spot in his
dreary life.
After supper Abel repaired to the
parlor to pass the evening. He found
a book In chair and began reading
it. He had been thus engaged for a
few minutes when Miss Tracey enter
ed the room. He nodded to her, and
then, as he observed her looking about
from place to place, remarked:
II think you are looking for book
picked up, Miss Tracey"
"Only to take It to my ROOM" was
the reply, But have read it, and
you are welcome to the use Of It."
That broke the ice. She sat down
near to him. The conversation drift
ed on pleasantly. Finally she said:
81 have often wondered what be-
came of the young man who seemed
so intimate with you when first came
to the boarding house here"
"You mean Robert Burtonr spoke
Mr.. barrow. shade first gloomy. then
sorrowful coming into his face.
"Yes, II think that was his name.
In fact, am sure of 1t. IL knew him
slightly" and Eva flushed deeply,
81 thought him my best friend" ex-
planned Abel, and something like
sob choked clear utterance. IT was
grossly deceived. / loved him as a
father and helped him to his feet
when he was penniless and friendless,
and-he sold me out"
"Oh, Mr.. Darrow!" exclaimed Eva,
growing deathly pale. "It cannot bel"
'Did he also deceive your he ask
ed bluntly.
"0h, no-that isl knew him, we
were friends. / learned to esteem him
and-he went away so abruptly IL
have often thought of him." fluttered
Eva.
"He is unworthy OF your thought"
persisted Abel. "I'm sorry to say It,
but 1t is true. As you must know
three years ago / lost limb In a ma
chine while in the service Of william
Lane & Co. Lane witnessed the acci-
dent and knew II was due to the care
lessness Of the firm. He offered me a
trifie to settle, which refused.
brought suit for $4,000. II is now
pending. One evening he came to my
room here with new offer. I
laughed at 1t. Robert Burton heard
him. In a trial his evidence might
help me- A week later Robert disap-
peared.
81 know that Mr.. Lane went west
for his health. young Burton went
with him as an attendant. Can't you
see how It is-the boy so loved has
gone over to the enemy They have
bribed him to remain out of the field
as a witness In my behalf"
81 can't understand 1t at ALL" sighed
Eva. HE was so grateful to you, he
was so kind to everybody"
Three evenings later Eva met Abel
at the door Of the parlor. She drew
him within the room. Her eyes were
red with weeping, her face colorless
and traversed with anguish.
"Read," she said sadly, and handed
a newspaper to Abel. pointing to an
item on one Of its pages.
According to that. William Lane
and Robert Burton. travelling In the
far west, had started TO cross an
arid desert stretch and had not been
seen since. They were supposed to have
miserably persisted in sudden sand
storm that had come up.
The blow Frustrated Abel. He was
not equal to going to work the next
day. Eva that evening FASTENED up to
his room with some dainties for the
invalid. The tray nearly fell from her
hand as. entering the apartment, she
saw--Robert Burtonl
Abel was seated In an easy chair,
wreathed in smiles. Eva started to re-
kroaf