Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-05-03
Old Darrow's
Lawsuit
BY WINIFRED DUNBAR


Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
Abel Durrow hnd two appurte-
nanccs that were prominent and pc
culiar to himself--a wooden leg and a
lawsuit. The false limb was old,
clumsy and spllntcry, 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 it to
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 garret room of
boarding house kept by Mrs. Smith.
Miss Eva Tracey lived at the same
place. She was stcnographer, 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
book IN chair and began reading
it. He had been thus engaged for
few minutes when Miss Tracey enter
ed the room. He nodded to her, and
then, no he observed hcr looking about
from place to place, remarl1cd;
"I think you arc looking for a book
I picked up, Miss Tacey."
only TO tnkc tt to my room" was
the reply. but have read 1t. 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
30 intimate with you when first came
to the boarding house here"
"You mean Robert Burton7" spoke
Mr.. DarrOw, 4 shade first gloomy, then
sorrowful coming into his face.
eyes, II think that was his name.
In fact am sure Of It, II knew him
Slightly" and Eva flushed deeply.
~ thought him my best friend" ex-
planned Abel, and something like a
sob choked clear utterance. II was
grossly deceived. I loved him as n
father and helped him to his feet
when he was pcnniless and friendless,
and-he sold me out"
"Oh, Mr.. Darrow" exclaimed Eva,
growing dcathly pale. "It cannot bew
'Did he also deceive your" he ask
ed bluntly.
"Oh, no-that Isl knew him, we
were friends. I learned to esteem him
and-he went away so abruptly II
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 q ma
chine while in the service Of william
Lane & Co. Lane witnessed the acci-
dent and knew It was due to tho care.
lessness Of the firm He offered mo o
trife to settle, which I refused. I
brought suit for $4,000. It is now
pending. One evening ne came to my
room here with new offer.
laughed at It. Robert Burton heard
him. In trial his evidence might
help me. A week later Robert dlsap-
peared.
"I know that Mr.. Lane went west
for his health. young Burton went
with him as an attendant. Can't you
see how 1t is-the boy I so loved has
gone over to the enemyi They havo
bribed him to remain out Of the field
rs witness in my behalf"
II can't understand 1t Mt all," sighed
Eva. ale was SO grateful to you, he
was so kind to everybody"
Three evenings later Eva met Abel
Mt 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 ono Of It's pages.
According to that, William Lane
end Robert Burton, travelling in the
far vest had started to cross an
arid desert stretch and had not been
seen since. They were supposed to have
miserably perished in a sudden sand.
storm that Ind 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 daintles- fox the