Life — May 24, 1929 — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Life Short Stories of Life Second Verdict By Charles G. Booth As the jury filed in, Allison, the at- torney for the defense, lifted his eyes to the defendant. The girl clung to them and, out of the desperation in his own heart, he gave her again that encouraging smile which had meant so much to her the past few days. Her response was as quick as the blue white play of Summer lightning. She was all gold and sunlight, thought Alli- son, like a bit of peachblow porcelain be- come alive. It seemed incred- ible that this sweet, inno- cent girl sat there with a murder charge hanging over her head. Tt was Jimmy Allison's first case, and he had taken it vol u ntarily. The girl told him she hadn't any money, but that made no difference to Jimmy. He knew she was in- nocent, and his elo- quence inspired by USE LIFE’S TICKET SERVICE this knowledge had been a revelation to the crowds that jammed the court- room every day. As he looked at the pale, smiling girl he realized that noth- ing had ever meant so much in his life as the words the jury would speak in another minute. The court was addressing the jury. “Have you arrived at a verdict?” “We have,” the foreman answered. Jimmy's heart went sick with misgiving as he gazed at the four grim-visaged women among the jurors. He felt certain the men had responded to his pleading and his client’s beauty, but the women had never once given the least sign of encouragement. He offered a silent prayer that these twelve peo- ple had seen the truth. “How have you found the defendant—guilty or not guilty?” The foreman opened his mouth to speak, but stopped and coughed nervously as though the words stuck in his throat. There was a slight movement in the courtroom, and a woman was heard softly weeping. Allison’s fingernails bit into his palms and he felt like tearing those fateful words from the throat of the foreman and flinging them in the face of the judge. The girl, as pale as death, swayed slightly. “We find the defendant not guilty.” She turned to Jimmy, eyes swim- ming with tears of relief and grati- tude, and as he stumbled forward he felt her hands catch and caress his. Congratulations were ignored as he hurried the girl from the courtroom. His one desire was to have her back in his little office where he could tell her everything that was in his heart. In a few minutes they were alone, and she stood before a small mirror ar- ranging her hair. He waited, hands clasped tightly. Then she turned, “I haven't any money.” All the music had gone out of her voice. “Money!” Jimmy exclaimed. “I don’t want money dear girl. I defended you because I knew you were inno- cent... because I—” Something in her face caused him to stop. “Aw, cut out the theatricals. We're not in court now.” “I—I don’t think I understand.” “Say kid, don’t be a sap. Who bumped off that rat if I didn’t?” The girl laughed recklessly and flung out her arms. “Oh boy!” she cried, “It’s great to be yourself again!” comicbooks.com