The Washington herald., 1911-11-02
THE PRODIGAL JUDGE
By VAUGHAN KESTER Uopriat 1871 the BossMrdu oomr.n,,
Copyright. 1911. the BObbsMeTiu Company

ored his white yarn socks where they
showed through the riffs in the leather
This the Judge did gayIy, now hummine
a snatch Of song, now listening civiIly
to Mahaffy, now replying with undis.
| turbed cheerfulness. Last of all, he
| clapped his dingy beaver on his head
giving it an indescribably Jaunty slant
| and stepped to the door.
| well, wish me luck, Solomon. I'm
! on-come, HannibalI' he said.
At heart he cherished small hope oi
seeing Betty, advantageous as he felt ar
interview might prove. However. on
! reaching Belle Plain, he and Hannibal
were shown into the cool parlor by little
Steve. 1t was more years than the judge
| cared to remember since he had put his
| foot inside such a house. but with true
grandeur of soul he rose to the occa-
/ sion; a sublimated dignity shone from
every battered feature, while he fixed
| little Steve with so fierce a glance that
the grin froze on his lips.
You are to say that Judge Slocum
Price presents his compliments and con-
| dOlences to Miss Malroy-have you got
that straight: you pinch of soot?" he
concluded affably. Little Steve, i'm
pressed alike by the judges air of con-
descension and his easy flow OF words,
S6ignified that he had. You NAV also
say that Judge Prices ward, young
Master Hazard. presents his compli-
ments and condolences" What more
| the judge might have said was inter
, rupted by the entrance OF Betty herself
My dear young LADY, the Judge
bowed: then he advanced toward her
with the solemnity of carriage and coun-
tenance he deemed suitable to the occa-
sion, and her extended hand was in
gulfed between his two plump palms.
He rolled his eyes heavenward TITS
the Lords to deal with US as His own
inscrutable wisdom Dictates" he mur-
INJURED with pious resignation. I'VE are
all poorer, ma'am, that he has died
| just as we were richer while he liyedr r'
The rich cadence of the judges speech
fell sonorously on the silence. and that
| look of horror which had never quite
left Betty's eyes since they saw Charley
Norton fall, rose out Of their clear
depths again. The Judge, instantly
stricken with a sense Of the inadequacy
Of his words, doubled on his spiritual
| tracks In a roundabout way, ma'am,
were bound to believe in the omnipres-
ence Of Providence-we must think II
though a body might be disposed TO
hold that West Tennessee had got ont
OF the line of divine supervision recently.
Let me lead you to a chair, ma'amI"
Hannibal had slipped to Betty's side
and placed his hand in hers. The Judge
regarded the pair with great benevolence
of expression
He would come, and I hadn't the
heart to forbid 1t. II can be of any
service to you, ma'am. either In the ca
pacity of friend-or PROFESSIONALISM
trust you will not hesitate to command
me" The Judge backed toward the
door. -
Did you walk out, Judge Price?' ask
ed Betty kindly.
Nothing more than a healthful exer-
cise-but we will not detain you, ma'am;
the pleasure of seeing you is something
we had not reckoned onr The judges
speech was thick and unctuous with good
feeling. He wished that Mahaffy might
have been there to note the reserve and
dignity OF his department.
But you must let me order luncheon
for you," said Betty. At least this ques-
tionable old man was good to Hannibal.
II couldn't think of =, ma'am-"
You'll have a glass of wine, them"
urged Betty, Hospitality. For the mo-
ment she had lost sight OF what was
clearly the judges besetting sin.
The judge paused abruptly. He en-
dured moment Of agonizing irresolu-
tion.
ro BE CONTINUED To-MoRRow.,