The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-05-25
Old Darrow's
Lawsuit
By WINIFRED DUNBAR
G6ElaMls IaYslaIelslsisl

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 1t to
a conclusion.
Abel worked in bank, and his du-
ties, like himself, were cratic. He
had charge Of the waste paper depart.
ment of the institution.
Abel lived In garnet room Of a
boarding house kept by Mrs. Smith.
Miss Eva Tracey lived at the same
place. She was 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 1t was a bright spot In his
dreary life.
After supper Abel repaired to tho
parlor to pass the evening. He found
a book in chair and began reading
1t. He had been thus engaged for
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
1 picked up, Miss Tracey"
"Only to take it to my roOm," was
the reply. "But I 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:
II have often wondered what BE-
came Of the young man who seemed
80 intimate with you when first came
to the boarding house here"
'You mean Robert Burton?' spoke
Mr.. barrow, shade first gloomy, then
sorrowful coming into his face.
Eyes, IL think that was his name.
In fact, am sure Of it. IL knew him
slightly" and Eva flushed deeply.
IT thought him my best friend" ex-
planned Abel, and something like
sob choked clear utterance. Il was
grossly deceived I loved him as
father and helped him to his feet
when he was penniless and frlendless.
and-he sold me out"
ooh, Mr. Darrow" exclaimed Eva,
growing deathly pale. "It cannot BET"
did he also deceive your" he ask
ed bluntly.
ooh, no-that isl knew him, we
were friends learned to esteem him
and-he went away so abruptly II
have often thought Of him." fluttered.
Eva.
Gle is unworthy Of your thought"
persisted Abel. "I'm sorry to say It.
but it IS true. AS you must know,
, three years ago I lost limb in ma
chine while in the service Of William
Lane & Co. Lane witnessed the acct
dent and knew it was due to the care
lessness Of the firm. He offered me q
trifle to settle. which l refused.
brought suit for $4,000. It Is now
pending. One evening he came to my
room here with a new offer.
fduHHeu Ut IL. hDDtll bulbOIl
him. In a trial his evidence might
help me. A week later Robert disap-
peared.
II 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 I so loved has
gone over to the enemy! They have
bribed him to remain out Of the field
as witness in my behalf"
81 can't understand it at ALL" sighed
Eva. ale 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
newspaper to Abel, pointing to an
item on one Of it's pages.
According to that, William Lane
and Robert Burton. travelling In tho
far west, had started to cross an
arid desert stretch and had not been
seen since. They were supposed to have
miserab1y persisted in a 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 Burton!
Abel was seated in an easy chair,
wreathed in smiles. Eva started to re-
treat.
"What going without shaking hands
with me?' Robert asked "You who
have been a comforter and support to
my dear old friend. Mr.. Darrow?" He
relieved her Of the tray and held her
hands till they trembled and her
cheeks were lovely carnation pink.
IT have come back to give my old
benefactor new life and hope, and to
say to you-listen, dear, should have
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