Evening star., 1935-05-06
CHAPTER XXXVI. .
FAMILY QUARREL.

"Or perhaps ne 0lu ~ Just w
spite me because wanted to have the
house redecorated and the two front
he'd rooms thrown into one. That
would cost a trifling three or four
hundred dollars, but we could not
afford it. But, of course, we can
afford to throw away thousands and
work for nothing, thanks to you,
father, thanks to you"
I'm sure that James must have
acted thoughtlessly and without due
deliberation," said Mr.. Northrup
slowly and impressively, as was his
custom. But I can assure him that
I have known Mr.. Preston in a busi-
ness way for years and that there
Is no one among all my acquain-
tances in whom I have more con-
fidence.
Mr.. Preston is, should say, above
suspicion, like Caesars wife, quite
above suspicion. Therefore, my boy,
though I respect you for your
scruples, I assure you you may take
the case with a clear conscience
ITS too late now. I have definitely
and positively refused to have any
thing to do with it.
That's too bad, too bad indeed.
But Mr.. Preston is still in the city
I believe, and he has always claimed
to be indebted to me for a small
favor did for him years ago
nothing of any moment, but one he
made much Of I am certain that a
word from me letting him know that
you had er reconsidered your
no time =. in no time at ALL
"Oh, father, you are such an angel!
What in the world would we help
less babes in the woods ever do with
out you?"
James sank lower in the chair,
grateful for the kindly darkness. He
had come home emotionally and
mentally exhausted after long. hard
day in court. 1t was just his damn
able luck that Mr.. Northrup and Jane
had to hear of this Preston offer, but
Naturally
We'll, aren't you going to answer
father? Going to thank him?"
snapped Jane.
1T is not necessary for James to
thank me nor did I expect any
gratitude" said Mr. Northrup stiff1y.
II am only too happy to exert what
little influence have in his behalf.
Only too happy. I assure you both"
Thank you just the same, Mr..
Northrup, but from what Preston
told me himself, I am perfectly cer-
tain that while he may be above re-
proach in his business relations his
private life is quite different matter.
This divorce of his is an ugly thing
and 1t is sure to prove both a legal
and social scandal.
Even if I wanted to get into it the
Judge wouldn't stand for it. He's
very strict about divorce cases and
only let me take Sally's because I
have known her all my life and know
that her brute of a husband would
have killed her if they had gone on
living together"
But, my dear boy, wouldn't it at
least be somewhat wiser to first in
vestigate matters a little more eX-
tensively-I might even say intensively
and have facts rather than con-
lectures on which to base refusal?
have found 1t an excellent rule, a
most excellent rule not to-"
There's no use arguing with James
when he drags in the judge" Jane
broke in cuttingly. Everybody in
town but James knows that the Judge
Is doddering feeble-minded old bore
who should have been in his grave
10 years ago. But because the old
half-wit still goes on telling James
how smart he is James still thinks
him a perfect marvel of intelligence"
THE judge, my dear, has been a
very clever man in his day, very
clever man, and 1t is altogether meri-
toriolls Of James to accord his bene-
factor the difference and respect Of
which his years and attainmentS en-
title him. But on the other hand,
agree with you. Jane, that the Judge
perhaps er. let us say, has out
lived his usefulness, yes, somewhat
outlived his usefulness
Would it not be kinder, my boy.
and for the old mans own best in
terest Tor you to encourage him TO
stay more at home and enjoy the
rest he has so richly earned, while
you quietly assert yourself and take
the reinS in your own hands? 1 may
even say 1t appears to me your clear
and unqueStiOned duty to do what
ever is best for your firm, regardless
Of the judges opposition. That's the
entire matter in nut shell. You
must do whatever is best for the firm"
The judge is still pretty keen if
he Is 80," said James angrily You'll
admit his name is still a power
And you still think it wise to re-
fuse this chance to make several thou
sand dollars rather than go contrary
to .. er, stubborn old mans en-
tirely unreasonable opposition?"
"Mr. Northrup, I haven't talked
this case over with the judge. 1t
wasn't necessary. But I don't fight
women. Why =. even if I tried to
and did my best t. just couldn't.
If you were lawyer perhaps could
make you understand better. The way
! am made just have to be interested
In case, be sure I'm right. before
can do any decent work on it
especially when it comes to pleading.
If got up in court and tried to
blacken the name of a poor old de-
fenSeleSS woman, who had never done
me any harm, just to make a few
dirty pieces of silver, the words would
stick in my throat Can't you and
Jane understand? Can't you see that
I'd rather Starve than make money
that way? And that even if wouldn't,
even if tried, could not succeed in
doing it?"
1t was seldom that James explained
himself so fully or tried to justify
himself in any argument with Jane,
but he still had vague hope left
that If Jane could once be made to
understand, If he were only clever
enough to put things SO that she