People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1895 — AFTER THE VIRDICT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AFTER THE VIRDICT.

ORA WORTLEY felt very lonely and very miserable as she sat in her cheerless 1 o d g i n g s one dark November afternoon.

She ought to have been in good spirits, for she had won her case in the law courts, but she was far from feeling so. In fact she regretted more than ever that she had been persuaded by that pushing little lawyer, Nicholas Thompson, to bring the action for breach of promise at all. She blushed at the memory of the laughter in court when her precious love letters were read. She had just dropped them one by one behind the fire, as they were given back to her, all smudged wth finger marks and redolent with tobacco. If she had never brought this action against Oliver Toogood these letters would have remained a cherished possession—a record of her short love dream. The amount of damages awarded to her did not dazzle her; >5,000 would buy her a great many things she did not really want, but her actual wants were amply supplied by her own industrious fingers, which were always busy with typewriting, and it would not give her the one thing she wanted —some one to love. A stumble up the dingy staircase into which the fog penetrated with impunity, and a knock at the door announced a visitor.

“Come in," said Nora, absently, forgetful of the tear-stained eyes and fingers bcsmoked with perusing her love letters in the dull, smoky fire. The door opened and gave admittance to a short, spard men, who bustled in and was all over the room before he had fini-hed saying “Good afternoon," and h.sd laid his hat and gloves in a place of security. “Now. do sit down, do sit down, MUs Wortley," he said with brisk though embarrassed utterance. “I have just dripped in to exchange congratulations about the verdict, you know." “Thank you," said Nora, without enthusiasm. “I am sure you did_your best for me, and of course I thank you." “I—l daresay you know I am a bachelor, Mi-s Wortley?" “No, 1 did not. Mr. Thompson." “Yes, yes, I am, I'm sorry to say. It isn’t right, you know, and I must say that I have been str ick by the affectionate disposition you have disclosed. Now, don t speak, my dear lady! It is so—very much struck, indeed. In fact, madam, your affection Js a treasure 1 long to possess ” “Excuse me.” said Nora, hastily, “I h>v;e no affection for'hny one." .“Bqt Ipm not gqi’ng'-to take that fop aq answer. If you don't say ’yes tp-dpy I again to-morrow and so op every day,” *’l assure you I mean no.’’ said Miss Wortlev d <?idedly, "I beg you will take that for an answer, I shall never got engaged again." • P<x>r thing! poor thing! You have such an affectionate di.position your thoughts are ru ning on the injury that great brut • did .on, Never mind, my dear; >5,0)0 makes a very excdlent plaster and will soothe the wounJ

rerv much. The* reminds me-bless my soul, hmv could it have escaped course you rfi»U have entire > control of your money bourse If, though I could find au excellent investment tfO -Thank you. Mr. Thompson, but I ehall not marry you. and as for the money you were instrumental iu getting me. 1 am so ashamed of it that I think 1 shall give it to some charity. “Xoasense, Miss Wortley. you wul oet.over this. 1 wish that Cello v wa< not snch a great' hulaing brute. 1 sboulfitike to giv • him a horsewhipping—as soou as the money is paid of course.” “Homebody n the court wrote a proposal of nassed it to me as soon as the damages were awarded; he was beforehand with

you. ’ “Do you mean tn.it you accepte l him?” Tnoinpaon grew red with anger, and bis hair stoo I up more aggressively than before. “No, I did not. any more than 1 have accept ‘d you; but I like him batter than I do yon.” “Why?” he asked sharply. “Because he took ‘no’ for an answer." *<Jo<»d bre. Mi * Wortlev, for the present." sai l Mr. Thompson, making m frantic rush for his hat and gloves ‘Good-bye, Mr. Thompson.” IbMßpwa opeaed dw fiiti

gave admittance to some one who waa about to knock. Ho gave a look at the newcomer and hesitated to leave, but a very decided action on the Other's part induced him to do so. The door which had been held open so meaningly for him was very promptly slammed after him, not without a auspicious movement, which looked like a kick, aimed at the departing guest The newcomer was Oliver ’l'oogpod, a tall, burly, hearty-looking man of 40, having the appearance of a country gentleman, though he was really a horse dealer, very well .known in his county for honesty and fair dealing. He drew up a chair to the fire, which was now burning brightly, and, flushed with excitement and without salutation, began: “What was that cringing little beggar doing here?"

“He came to see me, Oli—Mr. Toogood,” Nora said, nervously. “Well, the less you have to do with him out of business hours the better,” he said, brusquely. “I can't deny but that he has done your work Well. I suppose) ou are grateful to him and all that” “Yes, I suppose I am? Miss Wortley said, doubtfully; “I don't know?’ "You ought to know, then. You would not have got >5,000 damages if he had not gone about it in the right way. I have got the money right here for you." He slapped his pocket significantly. “Take ray advice. NnHk und have his bill taxed.” "You are very kind to interest yourself about it.'' sad N-iru wear ly; ••but I don t thin« Mr. Thompson is likely to overcharge or cheat me—in fact, he wishes to make me his wife.” “Hut are you ruing to marry him?" “I—l don't know." Nora did know very well, but there was something very confusing in Oliver Toogood’a guz » and the interest he showed in her embarrassed her and aroused strange ideas. “Surely you will never tie yourself to a little peddling attorney chap like, that!" he burst out impetuously.' "Why, 1 could buy him out and out four times over. A little snip like that I could take up with my finger and thumb.”

“It is very lonely for me," said Nora, looking down, so that Oliver Toogood only saw her long, dark 1 ashen “But you might do better than that," Oliver blurted out, “with what you have saved and my money." “Yes,” said Nora. still keeping her eyes cast down, “perhaps 1 could. I have had other offers." “The deuce you have!" “But " “Well?" he put in impatiently. “Why don't you uccept the best of them?" “I shall never marry without—“An equal sura on th ■ part of the man? Welt there's the money I have to hand over." He plumped down a heavy pocketbook.

“There —take and count it. I can t think what the deuce you want to quarrel with me for?” “Oh, Oliver," she said gently, “I always beard that the quarrels of lovers w -r.* the r-newel of love, an-l I never thought you would leave me beenus* of what I said." “Well. | nev r meant to.” “But you did, and you s *ld cruel things about me." “Whieh mischievous persons F9* )keut-d, Nora. J always meant tw come around in the end. only I heard Thompson was urging you to bring an action for breach of promise of marriage, a-id this made me turn tubborn. Well, count the money, girl.” “I—l don’t want it.” said Nora, sobbing and hiding her face in her hands. “I hate it, and V’ “And me, too?" Oliver got up softly and stood before her. “No,” Nora murmured. “Will you have me. dear? I dor ’t see whv we can t make it up. now that the law vers have done the worst of It. Will you N-»ra.’" Nora turned up a wet ftice, glorifie 1 by happiness. •Oh. Oliver!” was all she sai-1, but it seemed to satisfy Mr. Toogood vast ly well.

"O[?] [?]IVER!"