The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-23
tend to remove him because he Is no
IByNAUcHAnk ESTER
sZje4H0ES ~


tend to remove him because he Is not
fit to live"
AT sun-up!" muttered Mahafry.
Il intend to start one day right
even If l never live to begin another"
said tho judge, sudden fierce light
flashing from his eyes. Il feel that
this is the turning, point in my. ca
reer, Solomon" he went on. The
beginning of great things! But I
shall take no chances with the fu-
ture; shall prepare for every pos
sible contingency. I am going to
make you and Yancy my grandson's
guardians. There's hundred thou
sand acres of land hereabout that
must come to him. I shall outline in
writing the legal steps to be taken to
substantiate his claims. Also he Will
inherit largely from me at my death"
Something very like laughter es-
capped from Mahaffy's lips.
There you 60, Solomon, with your
inopportune mirth! What in Gods
name have If haven't hope? Take
that from me and what would | be?
Why, the very fate I have been fight
ing off with tooth and nail would
overwhelm me. Id sink into unim-
portance-my unparalleled misfor-
tunes would degrade me to a level
with the commonest! No, sir, I've
never been without hope, and though
I've fallen I've always got up. What
Fentress has is based on money no
stole from me. BY God, the days Of
his protittaking are at an end! 1 am
going to strip him. And even If
don't live to enjoy what's mine, my
grandson shall! He shall wear vel
vet and q lace collar and ride his pony
yet, by God, as gentleman's grand
son should"
1T sounds well, Price, but where's
the money coming from to push law
suit?"
The judge waved this aside.
1.-THE means will be found, Solo,
mon. Our horizon is lifting-1 can
see it lift! Don't drag me back from
the portal Of hope! Well drink the
stuff that comes across the water;
I'll warm the cookies of your heart
with imported brandy. carry twenty
years. hunger and thirst under my
wes-coat, and I'll feed and drink like
a gentleman yeti" The Judge smacked
his lips in an ecstacy of enjoyment
and dropping down before the table
which served him as a desk, seized
pen.
ITS good enough to think about,
Price," admitted Mahaffy grudgingly.
Its better to do; and If anything,
happens to me the papers am going
to leave will tell you how It's to be,
done. Man, there's million OF
money in sight, and we've got to get
1t and spend it and enjoy it! None OF
your swinish thrift for me, but life on
big scale-company, and feasting,
and refined surroundings"
"And you are going to meet Fen
tress In the morning?" asked Mahany.
Il suppose there's no way Of avoiding
that?"
Avoiding it," almost shouted tho
judge. For what have I been living?
shall meet him, let the Consequences
b. what they may. Tonight when 1:
have reduced certain facts to writing
I shall Join you at Belle Plain. The
strange and melancholy history Of my
life I shall place In your hands for
safe keeping. In the morning can be
driven back to Boggs'."
And you will go there without
second?"
If necessary; yes"
Il declare, Price, you are hardly
fitted to be at large! Why. you act:
as If you were tired Of life! There's
Yancy-there's Cavendish!"
The Judge gave him an 1ndulgent
but superior smile.
"Two very worthy men, but I 60 to
Boggs' attended by a gentleman or /.
60 there alone. l am aware OF your
prejudices. Solomon; otherwise I
might ask this favor OF you"
Mr.. Mahaffy snorted loudly and
turned to the door, for Yancy and
Cavendish were now approaching the
house, the latter with meal sack
slung over his shoulder.
"Here, Solomon. take one Of my
pistols" urged the judge hastily.
you may need 1t at Belle Plain. Good
by, and God bless you!"