And now that everythings been made clear to you, I want to ask you, Judge, to do all in your power to make things as easy as you can for Luella. Id a heap rather there wouldnt be any fuss made over this case in the newspapers. Its just a straight, simple divorce suit, and after all its just between me and my present wife, and its more our business than tis anybody elses. So, seeing as the case is not going to be defended, Id take it as a mighty big favour on your part if youd shove it up on the docket for the coming term of court, starting next Monday, so as we could get it done and over with just as soon as possible. Thats my personal wish, and I know its Luellas wish too. In fact shes right anxious on that particular point. And heres one more thing: I reckon that young Rawlings boy, thats taken a job reporting news items for the Daily Evening News, will be round here in the course of the day, wont he?
He likely will, said Judge Priest; he comes every day purty near it. Why?
Well, said Mr. Curd, I dont know him myself except by sight, and I dont feel as if I was in a position to be asking him to do anything for me. But I thought, maybe, if you spoke to him yourself when he came, and put it on the grounds of a favour to you, maybe hed not put any more than just a little short piece in the paper saying suit had been filed Curd against Curd for a plain divorce, or maybe he might leave it out of his paper altogether. Id like to see Luella shielded from any newspaper talk. Its not as if there was a scandal in it or a fight was going to be made. He bent forward in his eagerness. Do you reckon you could do that much for me, Judge Priest for old times sake?
Ah-hah, assented Judge Priest. I reckin part of it kin be arranged anyway. I kin have Lishy Milam set the case forward on the docket at the head of the list of uncontested actions. And Ill mention the matter to that there young Rawlings ef you want me to. Speaking personally, I should think jest a line or two ought to satisfy the readers of the Daily Evenin News. Of course him bein a reporter and all that, hell probably want to know whut the facts are ez set forth in your petition whut allegations are made in
He stopped in mid-speech, seeing how the other had flinched at this last. Mr. Curd parted his lips to interrupt, but the old judge, having no wish to flick wounds already raw, hurried on: Dont you worry, Lysandy, Ill be glad to speak to young Rawlings. I jedge youve got no call to feel uneasy about whuts goin to be said in print. You was sayin jest now that the papers would be filed sometime to-day? Theyll be filed to-day sure.
And no defence is to be made? continued Judge Priest, tallying off the points on his fingers. And youve retained Bigger & Quigley to represent you thats right, aint it?
Hold on a minute, Judge, Mr. Curd was shaking his whity-grey head in dissent. Ive taken up a lot of your valuable time already, and still it would seem like I havent succeeded in getting this affair all straight in your mind. Bigger & Quigley are not going to represent me. Theyre going to represent Luella.
He spoke as one stating an accepted and easily understood fact, yet at the words Judge Priest reared back as far as his chair would let him go and his ruddy cheeks swelled out with the breath of amazement.
Do you mean to tell me, he demanded, that you aint the plaintiff here?
Why, Judge Priest, answered Mr. Curd, you didnt think for a minute, did you, that Id come into court seeking to blacken my wifes good name? Shes been thoughtless, maybe, but I know she dont mean any harm by it, and besides look how young she is. Its her, of course, thats asking for this divorce I thought you understood about that from the beginning. Still in his posture of astonishment, Judge Priest put another question and put it briskly: Might it be proper fur me to ask on what grounds this lady is suin you fur a divorce?
A wave of dull red ran up old Mr. Curds throat and flooded his shamed face to the hair line.