The Washington herald., 1911-10-29
CHAPTER XVI.
The Portal of Hope.

''This-' the speaker was Judge Price;
''this is the place for me. They are a
warm-hearted people, sir; a prosperous
people. and a patriotic people, with an
unstinted love of country. I'd like to
hang out my shingle here and practice
law"
The judge and Mr.. Mahafy were
camped in the woods between Boggs and
Raleigh. Betty had carried Hannibal of
TO spend the night at Belle Plain.
Il crave opportunity, Solomon-the in
dorsene ent of my own class. I feel that
/ shall have it here" resumed the Judge
pensively. will you stroll into town
with me, Solomon" he asked. Mahaffy
shook his head Then let your prayers
follow me. for I'm off," said the judge.
Ten minutes walk brought him to the
door of the city tavern, where he found
Mr. Pegloe directing the activities of a
small COlored boy who was mopping out
his bar. To him the judge made known
his needs.
Coin to locate are you?" said Mr.
Pegloe.
My friends urge it. sir, and I have
taken the matter under consideration -
answered the Judge
We'll, the only empty house in town
Charley Norton, out at Thicket Point
Plantation"
The house Mr.. Pegloe pointed out was
a small frame building. 1t stood directly
on the street, With narrow porch across
the front and a shed addition at the
back. The judge sCuttled over to it
The judges pulse Quickened What a
location. and what fortunate chance
that Mr. Norton was the owner of this
most desirable tenement! He must sec
him al once. AS he turned away to re-
cross the street and learn from Mr.. Peg
loe by what road Thicket Point might
be reached, Norton himself galloped into
the village. Catching sight of the judge,
he refined in his horse and swung himself
from the saddle.
Il was hoping, sir, I might find you,"
he said.
"A wish I should have echoed had
been aware of it," responded the judge.
81 was about to do myself the honor to
wait upon you at your plantation"
Then I have saved you a long walk,
said Norton. He surveyed the judge
rather dubiously, but listened with kind
ness as he explained the business that
would have taken him to Thicket Point.
The house is quite at your service,
sir he said, at length.
The rent" began the judge.
But Mr.. Norton, with a delicacy equal
to his own, entreated him not to mention
the rent The house had come to him as
boot in trade It had been occupied by
a doctor and a lawyer: these gentlemen
had each decamped between two days.
heavily in debt at the stores and tav-
erns. especially the taverns. And thus
handsomely did Charley Norton acquit
himself Of the mission he had undertaken
at Betty MalrOy's request.
That same morning Tom Ware and
Capt. Murrell were seated in the small
detached building at Belle Plain, known
as the office, where the former spent
most of his time when not in the saddle.
So your sister doesn't like me, Tom;
that's on your mind this morning, is it?''
MurreN was saying.
Make it worth my while and I'll take
her of your hands" and Murrell laughed.
Tom favored him with a sullen stare.
There was a brief silence, during which
MurreH studied his friends face. When
he spoke, it was to give the conversation
a neE direction.
Did she bring the boy here last night?
I saw you drive of with him in the car
riage."
Yes; she makes regular pet of the
little ragamuffin."
rs the boy going to stay at Belle
FIain?'' inquired Murrell.
That notion hasn't struck her yet, for