The Washington herald., 1911-10-16
CHAPTER I.
The Boy at the Barony.

The Boy at the Barony.
The Quintards had not prospered on
the barren lands of the pine woods
whittier they had emigrated TO escape
the malaria of the low coast, but this
no longer mattered. for the last Of his
name and race, old Gen. ouintard. was
dead in the great house his father had
built almost a century before, and the
thin acres of the Barony, where he had
made his last stand against age and
poverty, were to claim him, now that he
had given up the struggle in their midst
Though he had lived continuously at
the Barony, for almost a quarter of
century, there was none among his neigh
bors who could say he had looked on
that thin, aquIllne face in all that time
Yet they had known much Of him, for
the gossip of the slaves, who had been
his only friends in those years he had
chosen to deny himself to other friends,
had gone far and wide over the country.
That notable man OF business, Jona-
than Crenshaw, was closeted in the IL
brary with a stranger to whom rumor
fixed the name of Bladen, supposing
him to be the legal representative of
certain remote COnHSClloHS OI tHe OlQ
generals.
Crenshaw sat before the fat-topped
mahogany desk with several account
books before him. Bladen stood by the
window
Il suppose you will buy in the prop
erty when it comes up for sale?' the
latter was saying.
Crenshaw nodded.
He livedi entirely alone, saw no one,
understand said Bladen.
Alone with his two or three old
slaves-yes, sir. He wouldn't even see
me-
There was A brief pause, then Cren-
shaw spoke again. Il reckon, sir, IL you
know anything about the old gentlemen's
private affairs, you don't feel no call to
speak on that point?' he observed.
'An 1 know is this: Gen. Quintard
was a conspicuous man in these parts
fifty years ago: he married a Beaufort"
so he did," said Crenshaw, land
married South Carolinian by the name
of Turberville. Great folks, those Tur-
bervilles, rolling rich"
And what became of the daughter
who married Turberville?"
Died years ago." said crenshaw..
They. were interrupted by a knock at
the door.
Come in" said Crenshaw. The door
opened and a small boy entered the room
dragging after him a long rifle. Sud-
denly overcome by a shyness, he paused
on the threshold to stare with round,
wondering eyes at the two men. well,
sonny. what do you want?'' asked Mr..
Crenshaw indulgently.
Please, sir, 1 want this here old
spo' tin rifle" said the child
81 reckon you may keep it-at least
I've no objection Crenshaw glanced
at Bladen.
"Oh, by all means" said the latter.
Spasms of delight shook the small fig
ure, with murmur that was meant for
thanks he backed from the room, closing
the door. Bladen glanced inquiringiy at
Crenshaw.
You want to know about him. sir?
Well, that's Hannibal Wayne Hazard.
But who Hannibal Wayne Hazard Is
just wait a minute. strand quitting
his chair Mr. Crenshaw hurried from
the room. to return almost Immediately
with a tall countryman. Mr.. Bladen
this is Bob Yancy. Bob. the gentleman
wants to hear about the woman and the
child; that's your story"
'Howdy, sir" said Mr.. Fancy. He ap-
peared to mediate on the mental effort
that was required of him.
"It was four years ago come next
Christmas" said Crenshaw.
"Old Christmas. corrected Mr.. Yancy.
The evening befo.' It was, and I'd gone
to Fayetteville TO get my Christmas FIX
in's Just at sundown hooked Up that
blind mule Of mine to the cart and
started To- home. A mile out Of town
I heard some one closing through the
rain after me. I pulled up and waited.
and then 1 made out 1t was woman.
cart and says, Can you drive me on to
the Barony?' When I got down to help
her into the cart I saw she was toting
a child In her arms. Wei. sir, she hardly
spoken until we came TO the red gate.
when she says: stop. II you please; I'll
walk the rest Of the way. The last ]