Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-14


Just after we came out of the noun
tains.' He looked up piteously into
Betty's face But you think he'll md
me, don't you?" #
"Why, you poor little thing" cried
Betty compassionately, and again she
sank on her knees at Hannibals side,
and slipped her arms about him. The
child began to cry softly.
What ragamuffin's this, Betty
prowled Ware disgustedly.
But Betty did not seem to hear. I
}"Did you come alone, Hannibal?"
she asked.
''No, ma'am; the Judge and Mr..
Mahaffy,, they fetched me-"
The Judge had drawn nearer as Bet
ty and Hannibal spoke togther, but
Mahaffy hung back. There were CULTS
not to be crossed by him. It was
different with the Judge; the native
magnificence OF his mind fitted him
for any occasion. He pulled mp his
stock. and coaxed half-inch Of limp
linen down about his wrists, then very
splendidly he lifted his. napless hat
from his shiny bald head and pressing
it against his fat chest with much
fervor. elegantly inclined himself
from the hips. .,-.
ALLOW me the honor to present my
self, ma'am-Price Is my name
Judge Slocum Price. May be per-
mitted to assume that this is the Miss
Betty of whom my young protege so
often speaks?" The Judge beamed
benevolently, and rested ponderous
hand on the boys head. ~
Tom Ware gave him glance of I'M
disguised establishment, while Nor
ton regarded him with an expression
of stunned and resolute gravity. Ma
haffy seemed to be undergoing ter
rible moment Of uncertainty. He was
divided between two purposes: one
was to seize Price by the coat tails
and drag him back into the crowd;
the other was to kick him, and him
self fly that spot. This singular i'm
pulse sprang from the fact that he
firmly believed his friends appear
ance was sufficient to blast the boys
chances in every quarter; nor did he
think any better Of himself.
Betty looked at the Judge rather
inquiringly.
Il am glad he has found friends"
she said slowly She wanted to be-
lieve that Judge Slocum Price was
somehow better than he looked, which
should have been easy, since 1T was
incredible that he could have been
worse.
"He has indeed found friends said
the judge with mellow JUNCTION, and
swelling visibly. These prosperous
appearing people should be of use to
him. God willing-he made a sweep.
ing gesture II have assumed the re.
sponsibility of his future-he is my
care" u.s.
Now Betty caught sight of Caring
ton and bowed. Occupied with Han
nibal and the judge, she had been
unaware of his presence. Caring
ton stepped forward.
"Have you met Mr. Norton, and my
brother Mr.. Carrington?" she asked.
. The two men shook hands, and
Ware improved the opportunity to
inspect the newcomer. But as his
glance wandered over him. it took in
more than CarringtCn. for it included
the fine figure and swarthy face Of
Captain Murrell, who, with his eyes
fixed on Betty, was thrusting his Gag
er way through the crowd.
Murrell had presented himself at
Belle Plain the day before. For up
wards Of year, Ware had enjoyed
great peace of mind as a direct re-
suit of his absence from west Ten
nessee and when he thought of him
at all he invariably put period to his
meditations with, 81 hope to hell he
catches it wherever he Isl" 1t had
really seemed a pernicious thing to
him that no one had shown sufficient
public spirit to knock the captain on
the head. and that this had not been
done, utterly destroyed his faith in
the good Intentions Of providence.
More than this, Betty had spoken OF
the captain in no uncertain terms.
He was not to repeat that visit Tom
must make that point clear to him.
Tom might entertain him If he liked
at his Office, but the doors of Belle
Plain were closed against Captain
Murrell; he was not to set his foot
inside of them. = aas r. @.&f
AS Murrell approached, the hot col
or surged into Betty's face. AS for
Hannibal, he had gone white to the
lips, and his small hand clutched hers
desperately; he was remembering all
the terror of that hot dawn at Slos-
sons
Murrell, with all his hardihood,
realized that too great confidence
lad placed him in an awkward posi-
ton, for Betty turned her back on
him and began an animated converse
ton with Darlington and Charley
Norton; only Hannibal and the judge
continued to regard him; the boy with
frightened, fascinated stare, the
Judge with wide sweet smile.
Hicks, the Belle Plain overseer,
pushed his way to Murrelrs side
Here John Murrell, amt you going
to show us trick or two?" he in
quired. - IT,.
Murrell turned quickly with a sense
Of relief. 5s
IF you can spare me your rifle" he
said, but his face wore a bleak look
CHANGING at Betty, he took up his
station with the other contestants.
whereupon two or three young plant
.ers silently withdrew from the firing
line.
Don't you think you've seen about
enough, Bet?' demanded Tom. "You
don't care for the shooting, do your"
That's the very thing I do care
p = Z - -