The smile audience had become laugh The Judge looked up warningly, when his eye caught the fact Colonel had again winced mirth He regarded him seriously Mr Hotchkiss's counsel had joined laugh affectedly, but Hotchkiss himself was ashy pale also commotion jury-box, hurried turning over of leaves, and an excited discussion

"The gentlemen jury," said the Judge, with official gravity, "will please keep order and attend only speeches of counsel Any discussion irregular and premature--and reserved jury-room--after retired "

The foreman jury struggled feet powerful man, with good-humored face, and, unfelicitous nickname of "The Bone-Breaker," had kindly, simple, but somewhat emotional nature Nevertheless, it appeared he were laboring under some powerful indignation

"Can we ask question, Judge ? " , respectfully, although his voice had the unmistakable Western-American ring , as of one who was unconscious that be addressing any but his peers

"Yes," said the Judge, good-humoredly

"We're finding yere piece, out the Kernel hes just bin a-quotin', some language that me and my pardners allow hadn't orter read out afore young lady in court--and of you--ez fair-minded and impartial man--ef reg'lar kind o' book given to gals and babies down meetin'-house "

"The jury will please follow the counsel's speech, without comment," said the Judge, briefly, fully aware defendant's counsel would spring feet, as promptly "The Court will allow us to explain gentlemen language they seem to object to accepted best theologians thousand years as being purely mystic As explain later, those are merely symbols Church--"

"Of wot ? " interrupted the foreman, in deep scorn

" Church ! "

"We ain't askin' any questions o' you_--and we ain't takin' any answers," said the foreman, sitting down promptly

" insist," said the Judge, sternly, " plaintiff's counsel be allowed his opening without interruption You" (to defendant's counsel) " your opportunity to reply later "

The counsel sank down seat bitter conviction jury was manifestly against him, case as good as lost But his face was scarcely as disturbed as his client's, who, in great agitation, had begun to argue wildly, and was apparently pressing some point against the lawyer's vehement opposal The Colonel's murky eyes brightened as he still stood erect hand thrust breast

" put , gentlemen, counsel other side refrains from mere interruption and confines himself to reply, that my unfortunate client has no action--no remedy at law--because there were no spoken words of endearment But, gentlemen, depend upon _you and not articulate expressions of love We all know that lower animals, possibly be called upon to classify the defendant, certain signals more or less harmonious, case The ass brays, the horse neighs, the sheep bleats--the feathered denizens grove call mates in more musical roundelays These are recognized facts, gentlemen, which you yourselves, as dwellers among nature beautiful land, are all cognizant of facts that no one would deny--and poor opinion ass who, at--er--such supreme moment, would attempt to his call was unthinking and without significance But, gentlemen, prove that such foolish, self-convicting custom defendant greatest reluctance, --er--greatest pain, I succeeded in wresting maidenly modesty fair client the innocent confession defendant had induced her to correspond methods Picture to yourself, gentlemen, the lonely moonlight road beside the widow's humble cottage beautiful night, sanctified affections, innocent girl is leaning from her casement Presently there appears road slinking, stealthy figure--the defendant, way to church True instruction she has received , her lips part musical utterance" (the Colonel lowered his voice in faint falsetto, presumably in fond imitation fair client),"'Kerree ! ' Instantly the night became resonant impassioned reply" (the Colonel here lifted his voice in stentorian tones), "'Kerrow ' Again, as he passes, rises the soft 'Kerree'; again, as his form is lost distance, comes back the deep 'Kerrow '"

burst of laughter, long, loud, and irrepressible, struck the whole courtroom, and Judge could lift his half-composed face and take his handkerchief mouth, faint "Kerree" from some unrecognized obscurity courtroom was followed by loud "Kerrow" from some opposite locality "The sheriff will clear the court," said the Judge, sternly; but alas, embarrassed and choking officials rushed hither and thither, soft "Kerree" spectators window, outside the courthouse, was answered by loud chorus of "Kerrows" opposite windows, filled with onlookers Again the laughter arose everywhere--even the fair plaintiff herself sat convulsed behind her handkerchief

The figure of Colonel Starbottle alone remained erect--white and rigid And then the Judge, looking up, saw what no one else court had seen-- Colonel was sincere and in earnest; that what he had conceived the pleader's most perfect acting, and most elaborate irony, were the deep, serious, mirthless convictions of man without the least sense of humor touch respect Judge's voice as to him, gently, " proceed, Colonel Starbottle "

"I thank your Honor," said the Colonel, slowly, "for recognizing and doing all in your power an interruption that, during my thirty years' experience bar, never yet been subjected to without the privilege of holding the instigators thereof responsible--_personally responsible possibly my fault that failed, oratorically, to convey gentlemen jury the full force and significance defendant's signals aware that my voice is singularly deficient in producing either the dulcet tones fair client or the impassioned vehemence defendant's repose ," continued the Colonel, with fatigued but blind fatuity that ignored the hurriedly knit brows and warning eyes Judge, "try again The note uttered by my client" (lowering his voice faintest of falsettos) "was 'Kerree'; the response was 'Kerrow'"-- Colonel's voice fairly shook the dome above him

Another uproar of laughter followed this apparently audacious repetition, but was interrupted by an unlooked-for incident The defendant rose abruptly, and tearing himself away withholding hand and pleading protestations counsel, absolutely fled courtroom, his appearance outside being recognized by prolonged "Kerrow" bystanders, which again and again followed him distance momentary silence which followed, the Colonel's voice was heard saying, "We rest here, your Honor," and he sat down No less white, but more agitated, face defendant's counsel, who instantly rose

"For some unexplained reason, your Honor, my client desires to suspend further proceedings, with view to effect peaceable compromise plaintiff As man of wealth and position, able and willing liberally privilege While I, as his counsel, am still convinced legal irresponsibility, as he has chosen, however, to publicly abandon his rights here, only ask your Honor's permission to suspend further proceedings until confer with Colonel Starbottle "

"As far as follow the pleadings," said the Judge, gravely, "the case hardly one for litigation, and I approve defendant's course, while I strongly urge the plaintiff to accept it "

Colonel Starbottle bent over his fair client Presently he rose, unchanged in look or demeanor "I yield, your Honor, wishes client, and--er--lady We accept "

court adjourned that day known town that Adoniram K Hotchkiss had compromised the suit for four thousand dollars and costs

Colonel Starbottle had recovered his equanimity strut jauntily towards his office, where to meet his fair client surprised, however, her already there, and in company with somewhat sheepish-looking young man--a stranger Colonel had any disappointment in meeting third party interview, his old-fashioned courtesy permit him to show it He bowed graciously, and politely motioned them each to seat

"I reckoned I'd bring Hiram round with me," said the young lady, lifting her searching eyes, after pause, Colonel's, "though awful shy, and allowed that you didn't know him from Adam--or even suspected his existence But , 'That's just where you slip up, Hiram; pow'ful man like the Colonel knows everything--and I've seen it eye ' Lordy ! " she continued, with laugh, leaning forward over her parasol, as her eyes again sought the Colonel's, "don't you remember asked me if I loved that old Hotchkiss, and you 'That's tellin',' and you looked at me, Lordy ! _then you suspected Hiram somewhere_--as good I'd told you Now, you, jest get up, Hiram, and give the Colonel good handshake For wasn't for him searchin' ways, and _his awful power of language, I wouldn't hev got that four thousand dollars out o' that flirty fool Hotchkiss--enough farm, so and me could get married ! That's what you owe to him Don't stand there like stuck fool starin' at him He won't eat you--though he's killed many better man Come, have I got all the kissin' ! "

of record Colonel bowed so courteously and so profoundly that he managed not merely to evade the proffered hand shy Hiram, but to only lightly touch the franker and more impulsive fingertips gentle Zaidee "I--er--offer my sincerest congratulations--though you--er--overestimate--my--er--powers of penetration Unfortunately, pressing engagement, oblige me also to leave town to-night, forbids my saying more --er--left the--er--business settlement --er--case hands lawyers who do my office-work, and show you every attention And now let me wish you afternoon "

Nevertheless, the Colonel returned private room, and nearly twilight faithful Jim entered, him sitting meditatively before his desk "'Fo' God ! Kernel-- dey ain't nuffin de matter, but you's lookin' mightly solemn ! I ain't seen you look dat way, Kernel, since de day pooh Marse Stryker was fetched home shot froo de head "

"Hand me down the whiskey, Jim," said the Colonel, rising slowly

The negro flew closet joyfully, and brought out the bottle The Colonel poured out glass spirit and drank it old deliberation

"You're quite right, Jim," , putting down his glass, "but I'm--er--getting old--and--somehow-- missing poor Stryker damnably ! "