The Washington herald., 1911-11-11
THE PRODIGAL JUDGE
By VAUGHAN KESTER Copyright the ~Maamcu cunsrro
Copyright. 1911. the BOObs-Merin Comr-rr.l

You know who he is and where he IS
Your business relations with this man
Ware have put you on the track Of the
Quintard lands in this State. You intend
to use the boy to gather them in"
You're mad" repeated Fentress
Unless you bring him to me inside OF
twenty-four hours I'll smash you!''
roared the judge. Your name isn't
Fentress; it's GatewoOd; you've stolen
the name Fentress, just as you have
stolen other things. What's come of
Turberville's wife and child? What's
come of Turberville's money? Damn your
soul! l want my grandson, I'll pull you
down and leave you stripped and bare!
I'll tell the world the false friend you've
been-the thief you are! I'll strip you
and turn you out Of these doors as naked
as when you entered the world The
Judge seemed to tower above Fentress;
the man had shot up out of his deep
deba sement. Choose! Choose he thun-
dered, his shaggy brows bent in men
acing frown
Il know nothing about the boy" said
Fentress slowly.
by God. you lier' stormed the judge.
II know nothing about the boy" and
Fentress took a step toward the door.
Stay where you are commanded the
judge. IF you attempt to leave this
its threshold"'
But Yancy and Cavendish had stepped
to the door with an intention that was
evident, and Fentress' thin face cast
itself in haggard lines. He was feel
ing the judges terrible capacity, his
unexpected ability to deal with su-
preme situation. Even Mahaffy gazed at
his friend in wonder. He had only seen
him spend himself on trifies. with no
further. object than the next meal or the
next drink; he had believed that as he
knew him so he had always been, lax
and loose of tongue and deed, a noisy
tavern hero, but now he saw that he
was filling what must have been the
measure of his manhood.
Il tell you l had no hand in carrying
off the boy" said Fentress with a sar-
donic smile.
Il look to you to return him. Stir
yourself. Gatewood, or by God, I'll hold
SO fierce a reckoning with you
The sentence remained unfinished, for
Fentress felt his OverwrOught nerves
snap. and, giving way to a sudden blind
fury, struck at the judge.
I'VE are too old for rough and tum-
ble," said the judge, who had displayed
astonishing agility in avoiding the blow.
Furthermore we were once gentle
At present I am what 1 am, while
are a hound and a blackguard!(
settle this as becomes our breedi
He poured himself a second glass
liquor from Fentress' decanter. 7
der II ii is possible to insult YOU"
he tossed glass and contents in Fcntr
face. The colonel s thin features
Convulsed. The Judge watched him
a scornful curling of the lips Il
treating you better than you deserI-
he taunted.
Tomorrow morning at sun-up
Boggs' race track" cried Fentress. T.
judge bowed with splendid courtesy.
Nothing could please me half so we'll
he declared. He turned to the other
Gentlemen. this is a private matte
When I have met Col. Fentress I sha
make a public annOunceent of why tn
appeared necessary to me; until then
trust this matter will not be given pull
licity. May l ask your silence?" H
bowed again, and abruptly passed from
the room.
His three friends followed in his steps,
leaving Fentress standing by the table,
the ghost of a smile on his thin lips.
AS II the very place were evil, the judge
hurried down the drive toward the road.
At the gate he paused and turned on his
companions. but his features wore a look
OF dignity that forbade comment or ques-
ton. He held out his hand to Yancy.
CTo Re CONTINUED TO-MORROw.l