Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-19

Yancy and Cavendish to Belle. Plain:
he would have preferred to remain In
Raleigh in attendance upon Judge
Price. Intimately acquainted with the
judges mental processes. he could fol-
low all the devious workings Of that
magnificent mind; he could fathom
the simply hellish ingenuity he was
temporary benefits. Permitting his
strength and weakness which was 30
character, he had horrid visions OF that
great soul, freed from the 'trammels Of
lrestraint, confiding his melancholy
history to Mr.. Pegloe In the hope Of
bolstering his fallen credit at the city
tavern. N a Il 9s
! Always where the Judge was, con-
lcerned he fluctuated betw cen extremes
Of doubt and confidence. He felt that
under the urgent spur OF occasion his
friend could rise to any emergency,
while sustained activity made de-
mands which he could not satisfy;
then his efforts were discounted by
his insane desire to realize at once on
his opportunities; IN his haste he was
forever plucking unripe fruit; and
though he might keep one eye on the
main chance the other was fixed just
as resoMtely on the nearest tavern.
With the great stake which fate had
suddenly introduced into their losing
game he wished earnestly to believe
that the Judge would stay quietly In
his office and complete the task he
had set himself; that with this off his
hands the promise of excitement at
Belle Plain would compel his presence
there. when he would pass somewhat
under the restraining influence which
he was determined to exert; In short,
to Solomon, life embraced just ono
vital consideration, which was 10 MAIN
tain the Judge ina state OF sobriety un.1
It'll after his meeting with Fentresa.
The purple twilight was stealing
over the land when he and HIS two
companions reached Belle Plain. They
Learned that Tom Ware had returned
from Memphis, that the bayou had
been dragged but without results, and
that az. vet nothing had been heard
from Darlington or tho dogs he had
gone for. II
Presently Cavendish and Fancy ~
off across the fields. They were going
ionto the raft, to Polly and the SIX little
Cavendishes, whom they had not seen
since early morning: but they prom.
4 ised to be back at Belle Plain within
an hour. 5
BY very nature an alien, Mahaffy
sought out dark corner on the Wide
porch that overlooked the river to
await their return. The house had been
thrown open, and supper was being
served to whoever cared to stay and
partake OF 1t. The murmur of Idle pur.
poseless talk drifted out to him; he
was irritated and offended BY It. There
was something garish in this indiscrim-
mate hospitality In the very home Of
tragedy. AS the moments slipped by
his sense Of displeasure increased.
with mankind in general. with himself,
and with the judge principally with
the judge-who was to make foolish
target Of himself In the morning. He
was going to give the man who had
wrecked his life chance to take It as
we'll. Mahaffy's cold logic dealt cynic-
ally with the preposterous situation his
friend had created.
In the midst of his angry medita-
4 IiOho Ao HCnAu a ClOCht otl ihCsf III
hall and counted the strokes. II was
nine o'clock. Surely Yancy and Caven-
dish had been gone their hour! He
quilted his seat and strolled restlessly
about the house. He felt deeply indig-
nant with everybody and everything.
Human intelligence seemed but q
pitiable advance on brute instinct. A
whole day had passed and what had
been accomplished? Darlington, the
Judge, Yancy, Cavendish the four
mon who might have worked together
to some purpose had widely separated
themselves; and here was the duel, the
very climax Of absurdity. He resumed
his dark corner and waited another
hour. Still no Darlington, and Yancy
and Cavendish had not come up from
the raft.
"F'ools!" thought Mahaffy bitterly.
"All of them fools!" ~
4 At last he decided to 90 hack 10 the
Judge; and q moment later was hurry
ing down the lane In the direction Of
the highroad, but, jaded AZ he was by
the effort he had already put forth that
day, the walk to Raleigh made ire
mendous demands on him, and Il sWAS
midnight when he entered the little
town.
l. "a j. =
| It can not be said that he was n
together surprised when he found thear
cottage dark and apparently deserted.
He had half expected this. Entering.
and not stopping to secure candle. he
CROPPED his way upstairs to the room
on the second floor which he and the
4 Judge shared.
4 "Price!" he called. but this gained
him no response and he cursed softly
under his breath.
I He hastily descended to the kitchen,
lighted candle. and stepped into the
adjoining room On the table was =
neat pile OF papers. and topping the
pile was the presidents letter. Being
burdened by no false scruples. and
thinking 1t might afford some clue to
the judges whereabouts, Mahaffy took
1t up and read 1t. Having mastered it,
contents he instantly glanced In the
direction Of the city tavern, but It was
i wrapped in darkness.