" Mr Hotchkiss, I owe you thousand apologies, sir, that--er-- weapon drawn by me--even through your own inadvertence-- under the sacred protection roof, and upon an unarmed man I beg your pardon, sir, and I even withdraw the expressions which provoked that inadvertence Nor does this apology prevent you from holding me responsible--personally responsible--_elsewhere for an indiscretion committed in behalf of lady--my--er--client "

"Your client ? taken her case ? You, the counsel Ditch Company ? " said Mr Hotchkiss, in trembling indignation

"Having won your case, sir," said the Colonel, coolly, "the--er--usages of advocacy prevent me from espousing the cause weak and unprotected "

" see, sir," said Hotchkiss, grasping the handle door and backing passage " other lawyers who--"

"Permit me you out," interrupted the Colonel, rising politely

"-- ready to resist the attacks of blackmail," continued Hotchkiss, retreating along the passage

"And then to repeat your remarks street_," continued the Colonel, bowing, as he persisted in following his visitor door

But here Mr Hotchkiss quickly slammed it behind him, and hurried away The Colonel returned office, and sitting down, took sheet of letter paper bearing the inscription "Starbottle and Stryker, Attorneys and Counsellors," and wrote the following lines:

Hooker versus Hotchkiss

DEAR MADAM,--Having had visit defendant in above, pleased an interview at 2 p m to-morrow Your obedient servants, STARBOTTLE AND STRYKER

This he sealed and despatched by his trusted servant Jim, and then devoted to reflection It custom Colonel to act first, and justify the action by reason afterwards

that Hotchkiss would at once lay the matter before rival counsel that advise him that Miss Hooker had "no case"--that be non-suited on her own evidence, and he ought not to compromise, but be ready to stand trial He believed, however, that Hotchkiss feared that exposure, and although his own instincts at first against that remedy, now instinctively in favor of it He remembered his own power with jury; his vanity chivalry alike approved heroic method; bound prosaic facts--he had his own theory case, which no mere evidence could gainsay , Mrs Hooker's own words that " the story own way" actually appeared to him an inspiration and prophecy

Perhaps something else, due possibly lady's wonderful eyes, he had thought much Yet not her simplicity that affected him solely; contrary, her apparent intelligent reading character of her recreant lover--and own ! Of all the Colonel's previous "light" or "serious" loves none had ever before flattered him way And it , combined respect which he had held for their professional relations, that precluded his having more familiar knowledge client, through serious questioning, or playful gallantry not sure not part charm rustic femme incomprise as client

Nothing could exceed the respect he greeted her as she entered his office the He even affected not to notice that she had put on her best clothes, and appeared as when she had first attracted the mature yet faithless attentions of Deacon Hotchkiss at church white virginal muslin was belted around her slim figure by blue ribbon, and her Leghorn hat was drawn around her oval cheek by bow same color She had Southern girl's narrow feet, encased in white stockings and kid slippers, which were crossed primly before her as she sat in chair, supporting her arm by her faithful parasol planted firmly floor faint odor of southernwood exhaled from her, and, oddly enough, stirred the Colonel with far-off recollection of pine-shaded Sunday school on Georgia hillside and first love, aged ten, in short, starched frock Possibly it same recollection that revived something awkwardness he had felt then

He, however, smiled vaguely and, sitting down, coughed slightly, and placed his fingertips together " an--er--interview with Mr Hotchkiss, but--I--er--regret there no prospect of--er--compromise " He paused, and surprise her listless "company" face lit up with an adorable smile " ! --ketch him ! " she said "Was he mad told him ? " She put her knees comfortably together and leaned forward for reply

For all that, wild horses have torn Colonel word about Hotchkiss's anger "He expressed his intention of employing counsel--and defending suit," returned the Colonel, affably basking in her smile She dragged her chair nearer his desk "Then you'll fight him tooth and nail ? " she said eagerly; "you'll show him up ? You'll tell the whole story your own way ? You'll give him fits ? --and you'll make him pay ? Sure ? " she went on, breathlessly

"I--er--will," said the Colonel, almost as breathlessly

She caught his fat white hand, lying table, between her own and lifted it to her lips her soft young fingers even lisle-thread gloves that encased them warm moisture of her lips upon his skin himself flushing--but was unable to break the silence or change his position The next moment she had scuttled back with her chair to her old position

"I--er--certainly shall do my best," stammered the Colonel, in an attempt to recover his dignity and composure

"That's enough ! You'll ," said the girl, enthusiastically "Lordy ! Just you talk as ye did old Ditch Company, and you'll fetch it--every time ! Why, made that jury sit up the other day-- got that off Merrikan flag waving equally over the rights of honest citizens banded together in peaceful commercial pursuits, as over the fortress of official proflig--"

"Oligarchy," murmured the Colonel, courteously

"Oligarchy," repeated the girl, quickly, "my breath was just took away to maw, 'Ain't he too sweet for anything ! ' , honest Injin ! And rolled it all off end--never missing word--(you didn't need to mark 'em in lesson-book, but had 'em all ready tongue), and walked out--Well ! I didn't know you nor the Ditch Company from Adam, but just run over and kissed you there whole court ! "

She laughed, with her face glowing, although her strange eyes were cast down Alack ! the Colonel's face was equally flushed, own beady eyes were desk To woman voiced the banal gallantry that now, himself, look forward reward, but the words never reached his lips He laughed, coughed slightly, and when he looked up again she had fallen same attitude as on her first visit, with her parasol point floor

" to--er--direct your memory--to--er--another point; the breaking off --er--er--er--engagement Did he--er--give any reason ? Or show any cause ? "

"No; he never said anything," returned the girl

"Not usual way ? --er--no reproaches hymn-book ? --or the sacred writings ? "

"No; he just quit "

"Er--ceased his attentions," said the Colonel, gravely "And naturally you--er-- conscious of any cause " The girl raised her wonderful eyes so suddenly and so penetratingly without reply in way Colonel could only hurriedly say: " ! None, ! "

At which she rose, the Colonel rising also "We--shall begin proceedings at once , however, caution you to answer no questions nor say anything case to until in court "

She answered his request with another intelligent look and nod He accompanied her door As her proffered hand he raised the lisle-thread fingers lips with old-fashioned gallantry As act had condoned first omissions and awkwardness, he became his old-fashioned self again, buttoned his coat, pulled out his shirt frill, and strutted back desk

later known town that Zaidee Hooker had sued Adoniram Hotchkiss for breach of promise, and damages were laid at five thousand dollars As in those bucolic days the Western press was under the secure censorship of revolver, cautious tone of criticism prevailed, and any gossip was confined to personal expression, and even then risk gossiper Nevertheless, the situation provoked the intensest curiosity The Colonel was approached--until his statement that consider any attempt to overcome his professional secrecy personal reflection withheld further advances The community were left more ostentatious information defendant's counsel, Messrs Kitcham and Bilser, case was "ridiculous" and "rotten," plaintiff nonsuited, fire-eating Starbottle taught lesson that "bully" the law--and there were some dark hints of conspiracy even hinted "case" revengeful and preposterous outcome refusal of Hotchkiss Starbottle an extravagant fee late services Ditch Company unnecessary words reported Colonel , however, an unfortunate circumstance calmer, ethical consideration subject church sided with Hotchkiss, provoked an equal adherence plaintiff and Starbottle larger body of non-church-goers, who were delighted at possible exposure weakness of religious rectitude "I've allus had my suspicions o' them early candle-light meetings down gospel shop," said one critic, "and I reckon Deacon Hotchkiss didn't rope gals to attend jest for psalm-singing " "Then for him up and leave the board afore the game's finished and try to sneak out of it," said another "I suppose that's what they call religious "