Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

394 1) “Rarely,” replied the judge. ‘ “ Are you on good terms? Is your rela- ‘tion in every way amicable?” ‘“ Entirely,” responded the judge. ‘‘ He is much my junior. I have for him that affection which, ah, might be called pa- ternal, as it were. 1, ah, was, ah—his guardian, his adviser and guide—until he left here.” ‘““ When?’ asked the lawyer. named a date which I do not recall. was Several years gone. The lawyer then asked Mrs. Harkins to take the stand. She was in the back of the court-room. Necks craned around, whis- pers rose, dresses rustled as she made her way forward, and as she did I began to understand why the judge drank, and to pity him. I imagined that any one who disagreed with her would have to tiptoe about doing it. She was one of those awful women who are always conducting vice crusades, and positively enjoy rattling The judge It off statistics about dance halls, illegitimate — children, underpaid factory hands, and child labor in the South. I’d rather meet a lion than one of that type any day. After she took the stand she surveyed the court, which withered. Then she was requested to narrate something—anything about the judge’s relation with his brother, and whether it was likély he would kite off into the woods for sentiment. Of course these questions were veiled, but their sub- stance was that. _“ & most impractical young man!”’ she said, after which she clamped her hammer- jaw shut, and gave a quick, backward jerk ‘to her head. When she let her voice out again she informed us that Joseph Harkins was a person of little refinement, and that what she had endured while he lived with them was unthinkable. He was an artist -and his work had made dirt and disorder. He was fond of low company, spending much time with Nathan Greenleaf at his cabin. He was constantly with Nathan Greenleaf’s nephew. Once in a while he took her husband off, but—another firm wag of her head—not often> When he left she had to admit she was relieved. He had been in the gas office; Rudolph Loucks, because of his friendship with the judge, ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. had been good about giving him a position, but he had given it up. Then she rambled on a little while long- | er, and then, unwillingly, retired. Ques- tions came after that about when the judge’s brother, Joseph Harkins, had left Rudolph Loucks’s employ. It seemed he had left after Rudolph’s death. There was a titter around the court at this. Where was Nathan’s nephew? was the next question. Nathan .responded, giving an address, which he said was near Canal Street. He had been there, and described it, and the fact that he had wandered around lower New York was proved by his evident knowledge of landmarks. ‘Was your nephew here the night that Rudolph Loucks was stabbed?” ‘““ Shot,” corrected some one from the back of the room. “Shot,” the lawyer said, some irritation appearing on his face. ‘‘ Was he here?” “Yes, sir; he went for the doctor. J was took with pleurisy. I had it bad.” ‘“ He was with you?” “Yes, sir. Doc Smith ‘Il tell you so,” answered Nathan. ‘“ Ask him!” Evidently that avenue did not lead where the representative of the law would have it, and he veered off. | The judge’s lawyer, whose calm achieved remarkable results, succeeded in tangling Gustave in a maze of questions, none of which seemed vital as he put them sep- arately. Gustave knew she was not in New York; he had met her regularly; she told him she pretended that she was in New York to avoid the unwelcome atten- tions of a bothersome suitor, a man whose jealousy had alarmed her; this man was to be in town for only a short space, until Friday, she thought, when she would re- turn to Mrs. Beasley’s. Gustave did not know his name, nor had any one seen a stranger. Gloria lived at the cabin during that time. But she had gone to New York? -Yes, she had started. Who saw her start? In here came a medley of testimony, some of it given with such nervous eagerness that it was amusing. It was found that Gloria had gone to Ehoo <S (EO) com Mm