The Washington herald., 1911-11-07
THE PRODIGAL JUDGE
By VAUGHAN KESTER Copyright the Mzumo
ht, Is1I. the BObbsMer4iu compsny.I

creased, like the muscles Of the body and
the mental faculties, by judicious use.
I've always regarded Pegloe's as a cheap
mind. / hope / have done him an in
justice" He put on his hat, and tucking
| the jug under his arm went from the
| house.
Ten or fifteen minutes elapsed. Ma
haffy considered this a good sign; 1t
didn't take long to say no, he reflected.
| Another ten or fifteen minutes elapsed.
Mahaffy lost heart. Then there came a
hasty step beyond the door, it was
| thrown violently open, and the Judge
precipitated himself into the room A
glance showed tMahaffy that he was la
boring under intense excitement
Solomon, I bring shocking news. God
knows what the next few hours may re-
veal!'' cried the judge, mopping his
brow. Miss Malroy has disappeared
from Belle Plain, and Hannibal has gone
with herr
Where have they gomez" asked Ma
hafry; and his long jaw dropped.
Would to God had an answer ready
for that question, Solomon answered
the judge, with a melancholy shake of
the head. He gazed down on his friend
with an air of large tolerance. 'I am
going to Belle Plain, but you are too
drunk. Sleep it off, Solomon, and join
me when your brain is clear and your
legs steady"
Mahaffy jerked out an oath, and lift
ing himself off his chair, stood erect. He
snatched up his hat.
STUFF your pistols into your pockets,
and come on. Price!'' he said, and stalk
ed toward the door.
He fitted up the street, and the judge
puffed and painted in his wake. They
gained the edge Of the village without
speech.
There is mystery and rascality here"
said the judge.
What do you know, Price, and where
did you hear this?" Mahafry shot the
question back over his shoulder.
AT Pegloe's; the Belle Plain overseer
had just fetched the news into town.
Again they were silent, all their ener-
giles being absorbed by the physical ex-
ertion they were making. The road
danced before their burning eyes, it
seemed to be uncoiling itself serpent
wise, with hideous undulations. Mr. Ma
haffy was conscious that the judge, Of
whom he caught a blurred vision now at
his right side, now at his left, was labor
ing painfully in the heat and dust, the
breath whistling from between his
parched lips.
you're just ripe for apopleXy, Price"
he snarled, moderating hts pace.
GO on" said the judge, with stolid
resolution.
Two miles out of the village they came
to roadside spring; here they paused
for an instant. Mahaffy scooped up
handfuls of the clear water and sucked
it down greedily. The judge dropped on
his stomach and buried his face in the
tiny pool. gulping up great thirsty swal-
lows. After a long breathless instant he
stood erect, with drops of moisture cling
ing to his nose and eyebrows. Mahaffy
was a dozen PAGES down the road. hurry
ing forward again with relentless vigor.
The judge shuffled after him. The tracks
they left in the dust crossed and re-
crossed the road, but presently the slant
ing lines of their advance straightened;
the judge gained and held a fixed place
at Mahaffy's right, a step or so in the
rear. His opulent fancy began to deal
with the situation.
IF anything happens to the child, the
man responsible for it would better never
been bOrn-IlI pursue him with undi-
minished energy from this moment
FORTH he painted.
What could happen to him, Price,"
asked Mahafy.
CTO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW