The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-28
Chapter 41 SURPRISE ;.


 JUDITH was delighted to see Clia. J but wondered at her early call, since it was barely eight o'clock. Then she was surprised to see Judge Morgan being admitted.
 Clia kept conversation clipping along at lively rate until breakfast was over, then accompanied Gun ard, Morgan and Judith into Gun ards study.
 "We want to discuss the coming contest" explained the Judge. T don't want you to go to the witness stand unprepared."
 "Oh, by the way, when does the case open?"
 "Tlis morning, at ten o'clock"
 This morning." gasped Judith. why didn't you tell mel"
 Didn't want you to develop any nerves waiting for the ordeal. And Miss Judith, it's apt to be that. Lam pere isn't pleasant person to have on the opposing side"
 But aren't there things l should know, should do? And why didn't yesterdays newspapers say any thing about it, or am I no longer news?"
 You're news" Clia contributed. "but thanks to Canfll's desire to murder his wife, the rest of the sheets overlooked the date. We are carrying story this morning"
 AS for you knowino things and doing things" said Judge Morgan. "all you need to do is act natural and you know all that is necessary for you to know"
 About all you'll need to do." of fered Cunard, lis hang onto your temper with both hands. And now if you'll dress and tell Mrs. Cunard we're ready, she'll stay with you during the trial as Clis. is one of our important witnesses and can't be present until after she's testified
 And if you think that isn't being 8 martyr" interposed Clla. you don't know nothin' no-how. Imagine me, Clia Sanford, sitting In an ante room when Lampere's in action"
 Judith laughed and with her friend went to her room. She asked Delphy to bring smart street frock she had purchased before leaving town the previous spring.
 Don't you do it, Delphy, bring that outfit I picked out this morn ing, and bring in those hats l had sent out yesterday" Then to Judith Listen, girl friend, look at me. the veteran of a thousand court wars You've got to look like the forgot. ten woman and not like a hosiery ad."
 Lampere will probably try to make them believe Mathile got that head of platinum hair for nothing =. turned grey with the shock of her fathers death. They'll be feel. ing sorry for her and they won't be able to feel sorry for you if you ap- pear looking like the five million you're supposed to have"
 Clia had been working as she talked and by the time she had fin. ished, with Delphy's assistance, had Judith dressed to her satisfaction
 Now take look" she said and spun Judith around to a mirror. THE ensemble Clia had chascY l was dark blue sheer one Ciia had added vest of white cambric turned-down collar, and turn [; back cuffs of the same material.
 ''I do look efficient" proclaimed Judith, not displeased. for business clothes had been her armor against the world before.
 C,ia wavered between two hats One dropped, hiding her eyes and giving her a demure, childish louk Lu0 OlueT Sat tliluiy Ou HSl DOylSi bob, giving her business-like air
 Efficiency wins," decided Clia with a sigh, land now to war
 Driving into town Judith, silent for the most part, asked her friend one question-"How did it happen that you didn't frighten Lampere out of handling the case lat all?"
 Couldn't. Didn't dare interfere with the pursuance of justice and he knew it. He also knew that was the only one who had overheard his talk with Maritellan, and it would take real proof to convict either one of anything; proof l wasn't ready to produce"
 They reached the courthouse Judith looked up at the grey stone building. Thought of how many times she had gone with Clia tt "sit-in" on a case. It had been in teresting, more fascinating thar any theater.