New Britain herald., 1929-07-31

Molly experienced a dreadful sink ing feeling, and her knees became suddenly weak.
 Sure l mean it. What do you think l am, practical little joker? Ask any of the boys, Look in the courtroom there. It's empty, isn't it? Wharton's been phoning all morning. Wants you 10 call him. They may take a chance, and senl you up to Canada, until the thing blows over"
 Molly was genuinely frightened. She had visions of going to jail, and wearing striped dress like woman she had interviewed In the house of correction.
 A court officer approached her kindly.
 Judge Brewster wishes to see you. Miss Burnham.'
 ''Oh, my lord, Slim, What will l do?"
 Well, you cant very well run" observed Slim Go ahead ana take your medicine
 Judge Brewster, formidable in his black robes, received her gently. eX- plaining the situation with iegr1 preciseness. He would be obliged. he said, to declare mistrial. The fault was not so much hers, as the jury mans. He had warned the jury not to read the papers. There had been 1t would appear. a serious rnisd2- meanor. A friend of the accused man had sent newspaper contain ing a story of Mollys to this par ticular juryman. Certain passages of the story had been penciIed.
 An unprejudiced person reading that article would undoubtedly be influenced against the defendant declared the judge. AS a news paper woman you have no right to be anything but impartial in what you write. It is a serious offense and frequently merits d fine, or 7, jail sentence. In view. however. ,e the evident conspiracy among Man. dinello's friends. I am inclined 70 deal leniently with your own offense,
 Whoever it was who sent the paper containing your story to Juryman Flagler, communicated the fact to attorneys for the defense. They promptly demanded an inves- tigation, and l have questioned MT. Flagler. He admits having read the article, and declares that he is now to find the defendant guilty. In view of his sworn state ment, l must call a mistrial."
 The judge stopped speaking. and Molly raised her flushed face 10 meet his judicial gaze, fixed sternty upon her.
 I'm fearfully sorry" she stam- mered There isn't anything I can say. I've no defense, no excuse".
 He regarded her more kindly. Allow me to commend your ch1v- airy, Miss Burnham. It transcen Is your indiscretion. 1t is uncommonly gallant when person brought to accounting declines to transfer the responsibility for the offense. I have the matter more deeply than l had indicated, and have learned that your city editor ordered the articles"
 Molly shook her head. 'I write my own stories," she insisted. "Mr, Wharton is not responsible"
 Judge Brewster rose, and his black robes bilowed solemnly about him.
 That is all" he said Except that l should advise you, Miss Burnham, for your own good, to he more careful in the future. Gun men execute fearful reprisals"
 Slim was waiting when MollE left the judges chambers.
 Its all right" she said, I'm no, going to iail.'
 But Slim was in dark mood
 Maybe you'll get shot" he haz- ardcd. Maybe you'd be better off | in jail. They couldn't get at you If you were behind the bars"
 "Oh, Slim, stop, You make my blood run cold. Have you phoned | the office? Judge Brewster is de | ,laring mistrial"
 Sure. l gave them that 1 . min ltes ago. Wharton's up in he ait. The publisher has been giving him he devil. l guess, And he says for