Evening star., 1926-04-04

throng outside as the shepherds testi.
mony was passed from lip to lip.
THAT is all remarked Mr.. Town
send Il move that the charge be
dismissed on the ground that the
owner of the sheep had deliberately
turned them loose upon land belonging
TO others for the admitted purpose of
satisfying private grudge."
Distress and embarrassment were
both visible upon the Judges face.
There was no doubt whatever but that
the sympathies of the crowd We're en-.
tirely against the Bullocks and with
Old Duke; and should he rule against
Mr.. Townsend it might be construed
as indicating that he shared Mr.. Bui.
locks opinion with respect to the Ma.
iors personal character. 1t was an
awkward moment and the Judges face
siistened with slight dew of perspira
ton born of his mental struggle. Then
he shook his head.
The circumstances, if true. are i'm
material" he remarked shortly. u
rule the evidence here to be sufficient
to justify a verdict of guilty and
shall give the case TO the jury"
"Poltroon. Scalawag"' muttereo
the Major. That. he should be placed
in such a humiliating and defenseless
position before his enemy was toe
much for his pride to bear
Does your honor rule that the de
fense must proceed?' inquired Mr.
Townsend
Il do" returned the Judge solemnly
/ Mr.. Bullock'S $ remarks to the witness
or the fact that his sheep We're tres
passing upon the golf course have nc
| bearing upon the question of whether
Old Duke killed one of them So fan
the evidence is clear and uncontra
dicted and will amply support Z
verdict of guilty. Indeed. l should bt
constrained in a civil case TO direc1
such a verdict"
There was an outburst of protest
from the rear benches and the sheriff
knocked for order upon the railing
with his toad-stabber.
Mr.. Townsend rose again.
IF the court please he said gently
II had hoped to be spared the neces
sity of calling my only witness. but
your honor's ruling makes ii neces
| sary. Miss Helen Peyton. please take
the stand
a FLUSH stole up from the Judges
ample collar until it covered his
entire scalp. What had his daughter
to do with this dog case? Why should
she be mixed up in this affair? Wa:
| it some trick of the d'Auriacs? No
the Major seemed equally surprised
! for he sat scowling and pulling hi:
mustache in obvious bewildermen
that Mr.. Townsend should be seeking
re-enforcements from the enemy. /
Peyton wanted to find Old Duke guilty
why call Peyton's daughter as a wit
ness? The Major mopped his fore
| head. Things were getting beyonC
| him. Perhaps it was the heat Tha
was Peyton's daughter. wasn't it
He caught his breath How muci
! she resembled her mother. That low
forehead, with the sharply defined
widows peak in the middle of it, anC
| black browsi Tall. too, the way
woman ought to be. Then he per
| ceived with increased astonishmen
| that Rene had advanced 10 meet he
and was conducting her to the wit
| ness chair. Old Duke recognized her
| too, and struggled to his feet as sh.
| passed. paving at her dress.
| Judge Peyton stammered noticeabl,
as he administered the oath. Fo
several seconds the girl kept her eve
| fastened upon Old Duke. Then sh,
raised them to Mr. Townsend ant
smiled family. Rene d'Auriac had no
resumed his seat, but remained hardl,
noticeable standing just beside her.
Miss Peyton," said Mr.. Townsend
II regret having to put you to th
embarrassment of being a witness, bu