The Washington herald., 1911-10-29
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Judge Sees a Ghost.


Charley Norton's good Offices did not
end when he had furnished Judge Price
with house, for Betty required Of him
that he should supply that gentleman
with legal business as we'll.
Thus It happened that Judge Price
before he had been three days in Raj
eigh, received a civil note from Mr. Nor
ton asking him TO search the title to a
certain timber tract held by one Joseph
Quaid. The judge, powerfully excited,
told Mahaffy he was being understood
and appreciated.
The immediate result OF Norton's COM
munication had been to send the Judge
up the street TO the courthouse. He
would show his client that he could be
punctual and pains-taking.
Entering the courthouse, he found him
self in a narrow hall. He entered the
county clerks office. He was already
SAUL and he now greeted him.
"A little matter of business brings me
here, SIR" began the judge, with a SWELL
ing chest and mellow accents IT am in
some haste to look up a title for my cli-
ent, Mr.. Norton
Mr.. Saul scrambled up out of the
depths OF his chair and exerted himself
IN the Judges s Dehau.
This is what you want, sir. Better
take the ledger to the window, the light
in here amt much" He drew forward
a chair as he spoke, and the Judge. seat
Ing himself, began to polish his specta-
cles with great deliberation.
You've set on the bench. sir?" sug-
gested Mr.. Saul.
In one of the eastern couuties, but
my inclination has never been toward
the judiciary" He was turning the leaves
of the ledger as he spoke Suddenly
the movement of his hand was arrested
Found it?' asked Mr.. Saul. But the
judge gave him no answer; he was star
ing down at the open pages OF the book.
Found the entry?" repeated Mr.. Saul.
"Eh-what's that7 No" he appeared
to hesitate. who is this man Quin-
tard?"
Hes the owner of a hundred-thou-
sand acre tract in this and abutting
Counties said Mr.. Saul.
who has charge of the land?'
Col. Fentress: he was old Gen. Ware s
law partner. I've heard it was the gen.
eral who got this man Quintard to make
the investment, but that was before my
time"
The Judge lapsed into silence.
A step sounded in the narrow hall An
instant later the door was pushed open,
ana StatetUl TOT any interruption IndI
would serve 10 take Mr.. Saul's attention
from himself. the judge abruptly turned
his back on the clerk and began to eX-
anime the record before him. Insen-
sibly, however, the cold. level tones Of
the voice that was addressing itself TO
Mr.. Saul quickened the heat OF his pulse
the throb OF his heart, and struck back
through the years to a day from which
he reckoned time. He turned slowly. as
il in dread.
What he saw was a man verging on
sixty. lean and dark, with thin, shaven
cheeks OF a blush cast above the jaw
and a strongly aGIiline profile. Long,
black locks swept the collar OF his coat,
while his tall. spare figure was habited
in sleek broadcloth and spotless linen.
For a moment the Judge seemed to
struggle with doubt, then his face went
white and the book slipped from his fin-
gers to the window ledge.
The stranger, his business concluded.
swung about on his heel and quilted the
office. Mr.. Saul. bending above his desk,
was making an entry in one of his led
gers. The judge shuffied to his side.
who was that man." he asked thick
ly, resting a shaking hand on the clerks
arm.
That? Oh. that was Col Fentress I
was just telling you about"
NO; he came into the county about
ten years ago. and bought a place called
The Oaks"
Has he-a family" The judge ap-
peared to be having difficulty with his
speech.
"Not-~that anybody knows Of Some
say he's a widower. others again say he's
an old bachelor; but he don't say moth
ing. The coloners got his friends, to
be sure. but he don't mix much with
the real quality. One OF his particular
intimates is a gentleman by the name Of
Murrell."
The Judge nodded.
I've met him. he said briefly.
Acting on a sudden impulse, the judge
muttered something about returning later.
and hastily quilted the office.
In the hall the judges steps dragged
and his head was bowed. He was busy
with his memories. Then passion shook
him.
Damn him-may God forever damn
him. he cried under his breath, in a
fierce whisper.
CTo BE CONTINUED TOMORROW