The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-18

ordinary loss, and In no ordinary
fashion. She has been the center OF
a striking and profoundly moving
tragedy! would give good deal to
know II my late client left will"
"You might ask her." said Mahany
cynically. Nothing like going to
headquarters for the news!"
Solomon, Solomon, give me credit
for common sense-go further, and
give me credit for common decency!
Don't let US forget that ever since we
came here she has manifested q
charmingly hospitable spirit where we
are concerned"
wouldn't charity hit nearer the
mark. Price?"
Il have never so regarded it, Solo
mon,' said the Judge mildly. Il have
read different meaning In the beef
and -four and potatoes she's sent here.
I expect if the truth could be known
to us she is wondering in the midst
of her grief why haven't called, but
icacy of a gentleman. wish it were
| possible to get cut flowers in this
cussed wilderness!"
The judge had been occupied with
a simple but ingenious toilet. He
| had trimmed the frayed skirts OF his
| side out and upside down fresh sur
| face made its first public appearance.
| Next his shoes had engaged his at
| tention. They might have we'll dis
couraged less resolute and resource
full character, but with the contents
of his ink-well he artfully coiored his
white yarn socks where they showed
through tho riffs in the leather This
the judge did gaily, now humming q
snatch Of song, now listening civilly
to Mahaffy, now replying with undls-
turbed cheerfulness. Last OF all he
clapped his dingy beaver on his head,
giving it, an indescribably jaunty
slant, and stepped to the door.
well, wish me luck, Solomon, I'm
off-come, Hannibal" he said.
At heart he cherished small hope OF
seeing Betty. advantageous as he felt
an interview might prove. However,
on reaching Belle Plain, he and Han
nibal were shown into the cool parlor
by little Steve. 1t was more years
than the Judge cared to remember
since he had put his foot inside such
a house, but with true grandeur Of
soul he rose to the occasion; a
sublimated dignity shone from every
battered feature, while he fixed little
Steve with so fierce a glance that the
grin froze on his lips.
You are to say that Judge Slocum
Price presents his compliments and
condolences to Miss Malroy-have
you got that straight, you pinch OF
SCOTT" he concluded affably. Little
Steve, impressed alike by the judges
air of condescension and his easy
flow of words, sigpified that he had.
You may also say that Judge Prices
ward, young Master Hazard, presents
his compliments and condolences
What more the judge might have said
was interrupted by the entrance OF
Betty, herself.
my dear young lady" the judge
bowed, then he advanced toward he1
with the solemnity OF carriage and
countenance he deemed suitable to
the occasion, and her extended hand
was engulfed between his two plump
palms. He rolled his eyes heaven.
ward. Its the Lords to deal with us
as his own inscrutable wisdom die
tates," he murmured with pious resig
nation. I'VE are all poorer, ma'am
that he has died-just as We were
richer While he lived" The rich
cadence Of the judges speech fell
generously on the silence, and that
look OF horror which had never quite
left Betty's eyes since they saw
Charley Norton fall, rose out OF their
clear depths again. The judge, in
stantly stricken with q sense OF the
inadequacy of his words, doubled on
his spiritual tracks. In round
about way, ma'am, we're bound to be-
neve in the omnipresence of Provi
dence-we must think tt-though a
body might be disposed to hold that
west Tennessee had got out of the
line of divine supervision recently
Let me lead you to chair, ma ami y
Hannibal had slipped to Betty's
side and placed his hand in hers. The
| Judge regarded the pair with great
benevolence of expression.
"He would come. and I hadn't the
heart to forbid It, If l can be OF any
service to you, maam either in the
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