Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/25

 "Miss Susie, I deny the allegation."

He bowed with impressive dignity.

Susie drew him firmly toward the street.

"You mustn't go in—I ran all the way to stop you in time—you'll quarrel with the Judge."

"That's what I came for."

"Well, you musn't do it. Mama says the Judge has the power to ruin you."

John's eyes shot a look of red hate toward the house and his strong jaws snapped.

"He has done it already, child!" he growled; paused, and changed his tone to a quizzical drawl, "The fact is, Miss Susie, I've merely imbibed a little eloquence on purpose to-night to tell this distinguished ornament of the United States Judiciary, without reservation and with due emphasis, just how many kinds of a scoundrel he really is."

"Don't do it."

"It's my patriotic duty."

"But you'll fight."

"Far from it, Miss Susie. I may thrash the Judge incidentally during our talk, but there will be no fight."

"Please don't go in, Mr. John!" she pleaded softly.

"I must, child," he answered, smilingly but firmly. "Old Butler to-day used his arbitrary