Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-09

ing detained from business In the face
elk and medical attendance.
The Judge. his back to the light and
his face In shadow, rested his lett
elbow on the desk and with his chin
sunk in his palm, followed the Scratch
Killers narrative with the closest At
tention.
"'And General Quintard never saw
him-never manifested any interest
in him?" the words came slowly from
the Judges lips, he seemed to gulp
down something that rose In his throat.
Poor little lad!" he muttered, and
again, "Poor little lad!"
Never once, sir. He told the slaves
to keep him out of his sight. Weall
wondered, TO you know how niggers
will talk. We thought maybe he was
some kin to the Quintards, but We
couldn't figure out how. The old gem
eral never had but one child and she
had been dead TO- years. The child
couldn't have been hers nohow."
Yancy paused.
The Judge drummed idly on the
desk.
What implacable hate-what iron
"a Auos NO AAuA NNuA CU> 0A0 SWOVt AkO
hand across his eyes. Absorbed and
aloof, he was busy with his thoughts
that spanned the waste OF years yearss
view. each bitter with its hideous
memories Of shame and defeat. Then
from the smoke OF these lost battles
emerged the lonely figure OF the child
as he had seen him that June night.
H. ~ ~AS
rested on the desk, he Strengthened
up In his chair and his face assumed
It's customary expression of battered
dignity, while smile at once wistful
and tender lowered about his lips.
Zone other question" he said.
Until this man Murrell appeared you
had no trouble with Bladen? Hetwas
content that you should keep the
child-your right to Hannibal was
never challenger
Never, sir. All my troubles began
about that time" ss.
s"Murrell belongs ii !, these parts"
said the Judge.
"Pd admire 70 to meet hiIa,' = said
Yancy, quietly. IN 4, Ell
The Judge grinned. ! NJ
Il place my professional services at
your disposal" he said. "Yours II 3
clear case OF felonous assault
mo, It amt sir-I look at Il this-a-
ways; it's clear case Of my giving
him the damnedest sort Of q body
beating!' ~
"sir, said the Judge. '.1'll hold
your hat while you are about IT."
Hicks had taken his time in respond
Ing to the judges summons, but now
his step sounded In the hall and throw
ing open the door he entered the
room. Whether consciously or not he
had acquired something OF that surly.
forbidding manner, which was char.
acteristic OF his employer "A curt nod
Of the head was his only greeting.
will you sit DOWN." asked the
Judge. Hicks signifed by another
movement Of the head that he would
not. "This Is a very dreadful bust
ness!"' began the Judge softly. Il
Amt it," agreed Hicks. What
you got to say to me?" he added
petulantly. u. f;3l
"Have you started to drag the
bayou?'' asked the Judge. Hicks nod.
ded. THAT was your idea?. suggested
the Judge. s8
"No, it want" objected Ficks
quickly. "But said she had been
actin like she was plumb distracted
ever since Charley Norton got shot
"How?" inquired the Judge arching
his eyebrows. Hicks was plainly dis
turbed by the question.
Sort of out Of her head. Mr. Ware
seen 1t, too" ~ u r.
He spoke Of it?"
Eyes. sir; him and me discussed f.
together" ~
The judge regarded Hicks long and
intently and in silence. His magnid-
cent mind was at work. II Betty had
been distraught he had not observed
any signs of 1t the previous day, Ie
Ware were better informed as to her
true mental state why had he chosen
this time to go to Memphis?
II suppose Mr.. Ware asked you to
keep an eye on Miss Malroy while he
was away from homer" said the Judge.
Hicks. suspicious Of the drift OF his
questioning, made no answer. Il sup
pose you told the house servants to
keep her under observation contin-
ued the Judge.
Il don't talk to no niggers," replied
Hicks. except to give 'em my orders, "A
Well, did you give them that
order?"
mo, didn't
The sudden and hurried entrance OF
big Steve brought the judges examine
ton of Mr.. Hicks to standstill.
"Mas'r, you know dat'ar goodman
George-the big black fellow dat. took
you into town las evenin'? les been
down at Shanty Hill whar Milly. his
wife, is carryin' on something scandal.
GUS cause George amt never come
home! Steve was laboring under In.
tense excitement, but he ignored the
Ipresence Of the overseer and addressed
himself to Slocum Price
We'll, what Of that?" cried Hicks
lquickly.
Thar warn't no George, mind you.
Mas'r, but dar was his team in de-
stable this mo'ning and lookin' mighty
nigh done up with hard driyinS."
lTo be Continued9