The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-12-27

ordinary loss, anu Ill AO OIu1udIy AdoA-
ion. She has been the center of a
striking and profoundly moving trag-
edy! l would give a good deal to
know if my late client left a will"
"You might ask her, said Mahaffy
cynically. Nothing like going to head
quarters for the neWs!"
Solomon, Solomon, give me credit
for common sense-gO further, and
give me credit for common decency!
Don't let us forget that ever since we
came here she has manifested charm
ingly hospitable spirit where we are
concerned"
"Wouldn't charity hit nearer the
mark, Price,"
Il have never so regarded it, Solo
mon," said the Judge mildly. 81 have
read a different meaning in the beef
and flour and potatoes she's sent here.
II expect if the truth could be known
to us she is wondering in the midst of
her grief why l haven't called, but
she'll appreciate the considerate deli.
cacy of a gentleman. l wish it were
possible to get cut flowers in this
|cussed Wilderness"
The Judge had been occupied with a
UuC iISOAAOuo tOAASC' LIZ AAesO
trimmed the frayed skirts of his coat;
then, by turning his cuffs inside out
and upside down fresh surface made
It's first public appearance. Next his
shoes had engaged his attention. They
might have we'll discouraged a less
|resolute and resourceful character, but
with the contents of his ink we'll he
|artfully colored his white yarn socks
where they showed through the riffs
lin the leather This the judge did
gaily, now humming a snatch of a
song, now listening civilly to Mahaffy,
now replying with undisturbed cheer
|fulness. Last of all he clapped his
dingy beaver on his head, giving it an
Iindescribably jaunty slant, and STEP
|ped to the door.
well wish me luck, Solomon, I'm
off-come, Hannibal" he said.
At heart he cherished small hope of
seeing Betty, advantageous as he felt
an interview might prove. However,
on reaching Belle Plain, he and Han
nibal 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 occasion; a subli
mated dignity shone from every bat
tered feature, while he fixed little
grin froze on his lips.
"You are to say that Judge Slocum
Price presents his compliments and
coincidence to Miss Malroy-have you
got that straight, you pinch of SCOT? ?"
he concluded affably. Little Steve, i'm
pressed alike by the judges air of
condescension and his easy flow of
words, signified that he had. "You
may also say that Judge Prices ward,
young Master Hazard, presents his
compliments and condolences" What
more the judge might have said was
interrupted by the entrance of Betty
herself.
my dear young lady the Judge
bowed, then he advanced toward her
with the solemnity of carriage and
|countenance he deemed suitable to the
occasion, and her extended hand was
engulfed between his two plump
palms. He rolled his eyes heaven
ward. cts the Lords to deal with
us as His own inscrutable wisdom
Dictates" he murmured with pious
resignation. 1--WE are all poorer, ma am
that he has died-just as we We're
richer while he lived!" The rich cad
ence of the judges speech fell sonor-
ously 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 sense of the made
quacy of his words, doubled on his
spiritual tracks. "In roundabout
way, ma'am, we're bound to believe
in the omnipresence of Providence
we must think Though body might
be disposed to hold that west Ten
nessee had got out of the line of d.
vine supervision recently. Let me lead
you to chair, ma'am."
Hannibal had slipped to Betty's side
and placed his hand in hers. The judge
regarded the pair with great benevO-
lence of expression.
"He would come, and I hadn't the
heart to forbid it. If can be of any
service to you, ma'am, either in the
capacity of frend-or professionally
II trust you will not hesitate to com.
mand me- The Judge backed to-
ward the door.
did you walk out, Judge Price?"
asked Betty, kindly.
Nothing more than healthful ex-
ercise-but we will not detain you
ma'am; the pleasure of seeing you is
something we had not reckoned on''
The judges speech was thick and
unctuous with good feeling. He wish.
ed that Mahaffy might have been there
to note the reserve and dignity of his
deportment.
"But you must let me order lun.
cheon for YOU" said Betty. At least
this questionable old man was good
to Hannibal.
az couldn't think of it, ma'am-"
you'll have a glass of wine, then
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 a. moment of agonizing irreso-
luton.
"On the advice of, my physicians l
dare not touch wine-gout ma am, and
liver-but this restriction does not ap-
ply to corn whisky-in moderation,
and as a tonic-either before meals,