Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27
Famous Missteps of Justce-A Jolt to the Majesty of
BY JOSEPH GOLLOMB,

- august wings. Inc SYMBOL seem
N to say, His Majesty, Justice
IL can do no wrong!" In tn,
main, British justice ha
worn its crown firmly enough. But
since the case of Adolf Beck the heads
that wear those majestic wings wear
them Just a bit more uneasily than be-
fore. And this is why:
On an April morning some years back
Louisa Leonard, married woman who
was not living with her husband, was
strolling along the Strand near Char
ing Cross, London, when an exceeding
ly we'll dressed. well hammered man
stopped her, raised his high silk hat
and exclaimed:
Don't you remember me, Lady
clyde? I'm Lord Willoughby!"
Louisa was flustered. She had on
her best clothes, but to be mistaken
for titled lady by gentleman of such
stylish appearance and Understanding
title was beyond dreaming Louisa'S
share of beauty was modest and her
station in life not exalted; as a matter
of fact she was wondering where she
would get her bread and butter in the
near future.
And now here was Prince Charming
mistaking her for member of the
1iNbAAty IOl d IllOHlChJ lSlL
the glow Of the implied compliment
I'm sorry, sir, but I amt Lady
Clyde"
She was about to pass on, but the
gentleman would not let her. He
stared IN well bred astonishment at her
If you're not Lady Clyde, then you're
her double. And I should know. Only
four years ago had hoped to marry
her. Lord Clyde was the fortunate one
May know who you are?"
Still bluShing and fluStered at the
bolt of romance out of the blue, Louisa
gave her name and, at his inSiStence,
her address.
You must forget the liberty I take"
he pursued. Remember what Lady
Clyde has meant to me-one doesn't
get over love like mine in four years,
and you will understand, perhaps, why
am bold enough to ask you to let me
write to you"
Louisa understood and sympathized.
She gave him her address. She did not
expect him to make u1e of 1t and
blushed when she thought of his look
should he see her shabby lodgings.
But how could one refuse an address to
q gentleman in such circumstances?
Thank you, Miss Leonardo" the gen.
tleman said, raising his hat in farewell.
"Au revoir."
I OUISA may have dreamed that night
of the encounter, but when she
aWoke next morning she must have
put the dream out of her mind; life
had not encouraged her to indulge in
dreams. To her amazement, there was
q letter for her.
Quality spoke in the very stationery.
On the envelope and letter were en-
boSsed Army and Navy Club
May be accorded the privilege of
calling on you next Thursday?" ran the
note, signed Lord Willoughby.
Louisa debated with herself, but since
she had little enough in the world to
lose she shrugged defiance at the pros
pect Of losing that little. and wrote to
Lord Willoughby at the Army and Navy
Club that he could call on Thursday,
as he wished
To her surprise. he came. She had
invited friend, Emily Ashton, to be
present. Even Emily's heart beat faster
when the knock on Louisa's door at the
appointed hour was followed by the
entrance of the Prince Charming Louisa
had told her about.
The gentleman must have been al
ready warned of Louisa's modest
place in life by the neighborhood in
which he found himself. for he did
not look unduly surprised at the
home of the woman he had mistaken
for Lady Clyde. There was subtle
change in his manners toward Louisa,
but nothing to hurt her feelings In
deed. after he had Nput before Louisa
his reason for coming there she was
more thrilled than ever.
Lo had NOT hocn ah1o n oct her ont
of his mind. Lord Wiiloughby said. 1t
was as if the past had come back to
him. Now that he knew that Louisa
was practically alone in the world he
wanted to put to her a proposal diff
ficult to make discreetly.
Lord Willoughby had a house at
ST. Johns Wood, he said-Alpha
Villa, Abbey read He had recently
dismissed his housekeeper and had
been too moody to get another.
But now I propose to you that you
come to take charge of Alpha Villa"
he said Il would put at your dis
posal carriage and pony. a page to
help you with it and as many servants
fort and mine. If the recompense
should be generous, would you consider
Coming?"
Louisa said she would.
"Could you come at once?"
Louisa thought it could be managed.
Then will you forgive me for SEEM
ing to be snob-though I assure you
I am not-at least as far as you are
concerned But I should want you to
feel at home among the people you
will meet. Clothes make difference
to woman's feelings. And to mine,
I must confess. I want to see you we'll
dressed. Do you know Howell &
James,"
Howell & James. one of the smartest