The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-14
CHAPTER I.
The Boy at the Barony,

The Qu1ntardS had not prOSpered
on the barren lands of the pine woods
whittier they had emigrated to es
cape the malaria Of the low coast but
this no longer mattered, for the last
of his name and race, old General
Quintard, 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 quarter OF
a century, there was none among his
neighbors who could say he had
looked on that thin, aquiline 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 county.
That notable man Of business, Jona-
than Crenshaw, was closeted in the
library with stranger to whom
rumor fixed the name of Bladen, sup
posing him to be the legal repre-
sentative of certain remote connec-
lions of the old generals.
Crenshaw sat before the flat-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 lived entirely alone, saw no
one, I understand" said Bladen.
alone with his two or three old
slaves-yes, sir. He wouldn't even
see me-"
There was brief pause, then Cren-
shaw spoke again. Il reckon, sir, ii
you know anything about the old gen.
tieman's private AFFAIRS you don't feel
no call to speak on that point?" he
observed.
''All I know is this: General Quin-,
tard was a conspicuous man In these
parts fifty years ago; he married
Beaufort"
80 he did" said Crenshaw, land
there was one child, daughter; she
married South Carolinian by the
name of Turberville Great folks,
those Turbervilles, 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 long
rife. Suddenly overcome by shy.
ness, he paused on the threshold to
stare with round, wondering eyes at
the two men. well, sonny, what DO
you want?" asked Mr.. Crenshaw in
diligently.
Please, sir, I want this here old
spo'tin' rifle" said the child.
Il reckon you may keep tat least
I've no objection" Crenshaw glanced
at Bladen.
f-"Oh, by all MEANS" said the latter. |
Spasms of delight shook the small !
figure. With a murmur that was meant |
for thanks he backed from the room,
closing the door. Bladen glanced in |
quiringly 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 quit
ting his chair Mr.. Crenshaw hurried
from the room to return almost i'm
with tall countryman.
Mr.. Bladen, this Is Bob Yancy. Bob,
the gentleman wants to hear about
the woman and the child; that's your
story, S..s.s ,>. NJ. SILK. -,.... >.. .-.
"Howdy, sir" said Mr.. Yancy. He
appeared to mediate on the mental
effort that was required of him.
1T was four years ago come next
Christmas, said Crenshaw.
"Old Christmas" corrected Mr..
fancy. THE evening befo', it was,
md I'd gone to Fayetteville to get my
Christmas fixin's. Just at sundown.l
rocked up that blind mule of mine to
he cart and started TO- home A mile
tut Of town. / heard some one slosh,, I
ng through the rain after me. l
,ulled up and waited, and then made
tut 1t was q woman. She spoke when
he was alongside the cart and says,
Can you drive me on to the Barony?'
When ! got down to help her into the
art | saw she was toting q child IN
ler arms. Well. sir, she hardly spoke
'ntil We came to the red gate, when
he says, Stop, If you please; I'll
valk the rest of the way. The last
i seen of her she was hurrying /,
through the rain toting the child In
er arms" s d
Mr.. Crenshaw took up the narrative.
I When morning come she was
one, but the child done stayed be-
ind. I've heard Aunt Alsidia tell as
oW the old general said that morn
=. palSss ana sAAkint III, Yo61l ma I.
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