Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1910 — THE FOURTH ESTATE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE FOURTH ESTATE

SYNOPSIS. Chapter I—Judith Bartelmy, society ■woman, goes to the office Of the Daily Advance to protest - against a story which . had severely criticised her father,,, a judge of the United States court. She discovers that the author of the article was ' Wheeler Brand, a brilliant young writer whom she had promised to marry. He refuses to cease attacking her father, n—Judith discards her engagement ring. Dupuy, a lawyer, representing big advertisers, calls and demands Brand’s discharge, as his clients are friends of Judge Bartelmy. IH— Brand is discharged iby the managing editor; for the paper, long owned by an insurance had been friendly to corporations. Michael Nolan, who buys the paper, comes in the office and finds Dupuy to be an old enemy of his. IV—Nolan calls for Brand and makes him managing editor. V —Brand tells Nolftn and his socially ambitious family that the dishonest judge’ Bartelmy, and his unsuspecting daughter have taken them up socially so as to try to induce Nolan not to attack the judge in his newspaper. Vl—Dupuy aids Bartelmy in endeavoring to have Brand and the Advance avoid attacking the judge regarding a tricky opinion he has rendered in the Lansing Iron case. “Every man has his pric.e, ■ even Brand," says, Dupuy. Vll—Nolan says if Brand will trap Bartelmy in the act of offering him a bribe to keep silent that the Advance will print the story in full.

CHAPTER .VIII. SHE abruptness with which Brand separated from Nolan as they appeared aroused the suspicions of both the judge . and his lobbyist satellite. However, they little imagined the pronounced seriousness of the conversation they had interrupted. In the mind of each ran the thought that the Advance’s proprietor and his editor had been dismissing the proposal to elect Nolan to fee Oak Door Even a failure in this laudable venture they would have Considered a serious setback, but probably had they an intimation regarding the story Brand wanted to write and the effort that was to be made to detect the judge in offering a money bribe they would have exhibited less of the easy assurance that marked their re-entrance into the drawing room. “Mr. Nolan, I’m afraid I must be going.” said Bartelmy. “I hope to see you at my house soon, and you, too, Wheeler.” Nolan rose from his chair. “Judge, can you spare me a few moments?” put in Brand resolutely. The judge gave a look of surprise. -certainly, my boy; certainly. Will •you excuse me?’ turning to Nolan. Nolan, surprised at the readiness of Brand to begin on the plan to entrap Bartelmy, readily assented and proceeded into the library with Dupuy. ■ “Well, Wheeler, what can I do for you?’ asked Judith's father. The young man stepped close to the other and faced him squarely. “Judge, how about your latest decision in the Lansing Iron case today?" he asked. Bartelmy started back in surprise “It was in accordance with the statutes and the constitution,’’ he finally said. “The supreme court of the United States was at variance with you in a similar case.” advised Brand. “Sir,” indignantly, “I decline to discuss out of court questions relating to my conduct on the bench.” The judge moved as though to go. “You weren’t so particular this morning.” Bartelmy began to lose his confident, easy pose. “I fail to comprehend you,” he an swered. “Early this morning, between J o’clock and 3.” went on the unrelenting editor. The judge turned his head to one glde and tugged nervously at his gray beard. “A reporter for the Advance saw you come out of your house at four minutes to 1 and walk to a house „qn Washington avenue that belongs to the attorney for the Lansing Iron corporation.” Bartelmy turned his back on Brand, a furtive look coming into his eyes as he did so. “You knocked at the servants’ door, judge," continued the editor. “This man admitted you. One hour and fiftyseven minutes later y<Ju left that house o' by the same door and returned home rapidly on foot. You kept your coat collar turned up, and, contrary to your usual custom, you wore a slouched hat pulled down over your eyes. Half an hour later Dupuy came out of the same house. Ten hours later you handed down your decision reversing on a technicality the judgment of the lower court in the Lansing iron case and freezing out the small stockholders in favor of the insiders, as usual. Those, Judge Bartelmy, are my facts!” Bartelmy made a desperate effort to retain his self control and to command aWHty tn think dearly and effectively In this dire emergency. At last lie spoke after minutely scrutinizing the accusing figure of Brand before

Novelized by FREDERICK R. TOOMBS

From the Great Play of the Same Name by Joseph Medill Patterson and Harriet Ford. & & COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY JOSEPH MEDILL PATTERSON AND HARRIET FORD.

•‘irs easily explained, Mr. Brand,” he said in honeyed tones. “It’s a lie; that is all it is. Your reporter lied.” “I was the reporter,” exclaimed the accuser in a supremely contemptuous manner, and hs he spoke he wondered and marveled that such a man as the betrayer, Bartelmy, could be the father of such a girl as Judith —Judith, whom be was even now, be was convinced. putting away from his arms and his love for all time. ; The; false judge paled. His mouth became parched. Had he not leaned against a chair for support it is likely that his knees would not have retained enough strength to hold him up. The jig was up. Plainly the end was in sight.’ Indeed, it had already arrived unless—unless— Yes, there was one possible, way out—if Brand would listen to the proposal. Listen? Every man had his price. Dupuy had told him so. Ho knew it anyway, and Brand was poor He was ambitious too. Ah, reasoned the false judge, that is a dangerous combination —pov-

erty and ambition. Few could overcome it honestly; few ever had, ever would. And lam rich—- “ Well, what do you propose to do?” he asked of Brand, putting it up_to

the other man to lead the conversation at this point, just as a clever tactician should. . “That depends,” answered Brand doubtfully, a trifle weakly, sinking thoughtfully into a chair beside a table. " Bartetaiy detected at once the note of doubt and weakness in Brand’s reply and questioned to himself what it Blight portend. “On what?” asked the judge careful-

ly, trying to analyze the mental processes of his opponent, who stared at him across the table. Brand spoke deliberately. In low voice. “On whether you're willing to meet me halfway.” Bartelmy’s hopes immediately surged high. Ha. as plain a bld for a price as he had ever heard, and he hud heard them before. Se gazed, reassured, at the young man’s earnest face. Ha, how skillful he was. this young Brand! How he had deceived every one! Yes. he was just like some of the other reformers the judge had met—just like some of his political friends who started to clean up certain conditions, only to be retained to let them exist as they were. But Brand was the cleverest one of the lot by far, and probably he was to divide the proceeds of this bribe with Nolan. Oh, they were a cunning pair! Had even fooled Dupuy, who thought them dangerous. And what a son-in-law Brand would make! Yes, he could have Judith; he was worthy to possess the reigning beauty of a great city. So argued to himself the false judge, and he said:

“Of course 1 am willing; to meet you halfway, but it all depends on whether we understand each other.” “YoUr decision was doubtless of some value to you. and if I am willing to keep silent about its antecedent circumstances then” — Brand looked the judge In the eye expectantly. Bartelmy felt relieved. He felicitated himself on the fact that his judgment had been correct “Yes; you”— He halted. “Why”— Brand paused. - “Well ?” queried the judge irritatedlv. “There you are,” responded Brand simply, his eyes meeting those of the jurist Bartelmy glanced cautiously at the editor, seeking for signs of deception, of. a_ trap, but he found them not ”Mr.'Brand, what do'you want?” he asked sharply. “What’s it worth to you?” "I would prefer you to set the figure.” '■? “No.” “How about $10,000?* ?- asked the judge. “Yes,” agreed Brand, rising—“in cash tonight” “Rather short notice for such a sum,” protestingly. “Where shall I see you?’ “At my office.” “Your office—the Advance! No, no. I prefer you to ebnae to my chambers about noon tomorrow. We shall be quite private there.”

1 ’Tcan’t wait that long for it, judge. I’ve got to have it tonight” “Oh, is it something of that sort? Well, then, come to my house after dinner.” “But I’ve got to be at my office,” In- —- —‘ * “I hardly like to go there, Mr. Brand.” “That’s up to you, judge. But if you don’t come the story goes to press tonight Well?" with a rising inflection. - 'ft . •

Judith Bartelmy entered. “Will you I come now, papa?” she asked. ■, \ “Just a moment, my dear. I intended to ask Dupuy to dine with us.” “Oh, can’t yon take him to the club?” she pouted. “That wouldn’t be convenient, my dear. You know we’re going to the

opera.” He stepped back toward the library. “Mr. Brand, I’ll . see you again before you leave.” There was a moment’s embarrassed silence between Judith and Wheeler Brand as the judge disappeared. “How do you do, Mr. Brand?” she finally asked. “How do you do, Miss Bartelmy?” His manner was awkward and strained.

“I haven’t seen you all winter.” She placed her hands on the back of a chair near a settee. “No; I haven’t been anywhere. I’ve been kept pretty close at work.” He caused. “Won’t you sit down?” She moved to the left and occupied the settee. After a few moments of silence she said: “It’s strange 1 haven’t seen you all winter. 1 suppose it will be another hundred years before 1 see you again.” Brand looked intently at her. “It won’t beYf you wish to see me any sooner, Judith,” and, thus speaking, he leaned over the back of the settee toward the girl he loved. “Why, of course I wish—er— You were Having a talk with father when I came in, weren’t you?” “Yes,” rising and Stepping back from her. • “Wheeler, come here,” the girl asked wistfully. “I want to talk to you.” He moved to a chair close by her side. “Aren’t you beginning to realize that you may have been a bit headstrong?” she said tenderly, looking into his eyes. “I’m afraid you are getting in very deep. Your friends, most of them, have been patient with you so far, but there’s a limit, you know, and you’ll lose them.” “I’m sorry.” “Oh. Wheeler”—she was intensely In earnest—“is it worth while to let them go just for an idea?” “A man must act according to his light. Judith.” “And a woman according to hers. .Perhaps you don’t realize it, but that’s what I’ve been trying to do. You know I’ve been alone a great deal of my life. I’ve had more responsibility than most girls. I’ve had to decide things for myself and the younger ones and do the best I could for all of us.” “Yes, I know that. There’s nobody like you, Judith.” “I’m glad if you think that.” ■ “I’ll always think that, Judith,” he exclaimed passionately. “And I’ll always feel all that I’ve lost” “Haven’t you brought it on yourself?” she asked quickly. Brand seized both her hands, and in a tempest of emotion, long suppressed, he rose and bent over her. “Oh, dearest, can’t we have this one moment”—he was aroused to a pitch she had never seen him reach before—“even if we never have another, without. thinking of anything except—except each other?” He seated himself close to her.

“Wheeler, I’ve a little story I want to tell you,” she said fondly, yet sadly. She spoke as one pleading in a vital cause. “Once upon a time there was a girl, and she rather liked a somewhat gloomy young man. But one night something happened and then—they didn’t speak for a long time—oh, a very long time. But there were other young men, and one of them has asked to call tomorrow afternoon at 5 o’clock. He was very serious about it You see, the girl has been waiting so long that she’s beginning to be afraidafraid that—er— Oh, Wheeler, why won’t you drop it all? It’s not too late!” She rose to her feet still with her hands in his, and in another moment he stood beside her. He threw both bis arms around her and held her close to his bosom. “Judith,” he whispered passionately to her. “Why don’t iou call tomorrow at 4?” was her response. As they stood there in fond embrace, her lips raised to his, Judge Bartelmy appeared at the extreme end of the room. He gave a sudden start as he saw their oblivion to all else but themselves. His cold blue eyes shone with the satisfaction that filled him. He had done a good day’s work, he congratulated himself. He had arranged to buy Brand’s silence for SIO,OOO when it was really worth twice that sum to a man of the United States judge’s wealth and standing. Why, he had originally planned to give Brand twice that sum as a wedding present when he married J udith. * “Mr Brand,” the judge declared, “I will call at your office tonight at 9 o’clock. Judith. I am ready to go now.” / ' . The couple drew apart in confusion. She walked away slowly from her lov«

er. Tier eyes wet with tears. Bhe went out of the room with her father, leav-

Ing Wheeler Brand standing in the middle of the room, overcome by the unconquerable sorrow that filled his soul. , The towering figure of Nolan appeared from the library. He stepped toward the editor. “Well, did you put it through?” he asked. Brand threw back his head, and his misery was imprinted in

every line of his face. Yet by superhuman will power he forced his voice into steadiness as he said: “Yes—l put it through.”

(To Be Continued.)

“I was the reporter. Judge Bartelmy.”

“ROW ABOUT $10,000?” ASKED THE JUDGE.

A moment of embarrassed silence.

“I put it through.”