Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-09
believer" continued the Judge.

1.-THE day before Norton was shot.
I had started home for Kentucky. I
heard of his death when reached
Randolph on the second bluff" ex-
planned Darlington. from whose cheeks
the weather.beaten bloom had faded.
He rested his hand on the edge Of the
desk and turned to the men who had
followed him into the room. This
Is the gentleman you wish to see," he
said, and stepped to one of tho win
dows; It overlooked the terraces where
he had said good-by to Betty scarcely
q week before.
i The. two men had paused by the
door. They now advanced. One was
gaunt and haggard, his face disfigured
by great red scar, the other was q
shockheaded Individual who moved
with q shambling gait. Both carried
rifles and both were dressed in coarse
homespun. %G.E /. n
Morning. sir" said the man with
the scar. "Yancy's my name, and this
gentleman lows he'd rather be known
now as Mr. Cavendish.'
The Judge started to his feet.
Bob. Yancy?" he cried.
Eyes, sir, that's me-" The Judge
passed nimbly around the desk and
shook the Scratch Hitler warmly by
the hand. Where's my newly, sir
what's all this about him and Miss
Betty?" Yancy's soft drawl was sud
denly eager.
please God we'll recover him soon!''
said the judge.
BY the window Darlington moved
No harm could come to
tho boy, but Betty shudder went
through him.
They've stolen him" Yancy spoke
with conviction. II reckon they've
started back to Moth Carolina with
him-only that don't explain what's
come of Miss Betty, does it?' and he
dropped rather helplessly into chair
!: Bob are just getting OF sick bed
He's been powerful porely In conse
quence of having his head laid fopen
and then being thrown into the Elk
river where /. fished him 4 out,"s ex.
planned Cavendish, who still continued
to regard the Judge with unmixed 40.
tonishment, first cooking his shaggy
head on one side and then on the other
his bleached eyes narrowed to slit.
Now and then he favored the austere
Mahaffy with a heeting glance. He
seemed intintively to understand the
comradeship Of their degradation.
mr.. Cavendish fetched me here on
his raft. We tied up to the sho' this
morning. 1t was there we met Mr..
Carrington-I'd knowed him slightly
back yonder in Moth Carolina, . con.
unued Yancy. "He said I'd find Han.
nibal with you. / was counting q
heap on seeing my nevvy." sa5#
Darlington, no longer able to control
himself, swung about on his heel.
Y What's been done?' he asked, with
fierce repression. What's going to be
done? Don't you know that every sec
ond is precious?"
a II am about to conclude my investi
cations, sir" said the Judge with
dignity.
Darlington stepped to the door
After all, what was there to expect OF
these men? Whatever their interest
1t was plainly conferred in the boy. He
passed out into the hall.
AS the door closed on him the judge
turned again to the Schatch Hitler.
Mr.. Yancy, Mr.. Mahaffy and I hold
your nephew In the tenderest regard
he has been our constant companion
ever. since you were lost to him. In
this crisis you may rely upon us; we
are committed to his recovery, no mat
ter what it Involves" The judges
tone was one of unalterable resolution.
IT reckon you-all have been mighty
good and kind to him." said Yancy
huskily.
I'VE have endeavored to be, Mr.
had formed the reso
luton legally to adopt him should you
not come to claim him. should have
given him my name, and made him my
heir. His education has already begun
under my supervision" and the Judge
remembering the high use to which he
had dedicated one of Pegloe's trade
labels, fairly glowed, with philanthro.
pic fervor.
Think of that" murmured Fancy
softly. He was deeply moved. So
was Mr.. Cavendisha who was gifted
with a wealth of ready sympathy. He
thrust out a hardened hand to the
judge.
"Shake!" he said. You're a heap
better than you look A thin ripple
Of laughter escaped Mahaffy, but the
judge accepted Chills and Fever's pro.
fered hand. He understood that there
was simple genuine soul.
Price. isn't it important for us to
know why Mr.. Yancy thinks the boy
has been taken back to North Caro-
lina?" said Mahaffy.
4 "Just what kin is Hannibal to you
Mr.. Yancy?" asked the Judge resum
ing his seat.
Strictly speaking, he amt none
That he come to live with me is ali
owing to Mr.. Crenshaw, who's a good
man when left to himself. but he's got
a wife, SO body may say he never
is left to himself" began Yancy; and
then briefly he told the story OF the
woman and the child much as he hat
told 1t to Bladen at the Baron,
a.l~iN = r !