Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-28
~ XAUGHAnKESTER
AzNszp41z0KS. ByDM EzEz

fed to his SIDE.
"Who. was that man." he asked
thickly, resting shaking hand on
the clerks arm. - ~
"That?-Oh, that was Colonel Fen:
tress I was just telling you about%|i;
HAS he always lived here%,s y.
mo; 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 widower, others again say
he's an old bachelor; but he don't
say nothing. The coloners got. his
friends. to be sure, but he don't mix
| much with the real quality. One .ot
his particular intimates Is gentle
man By the name of Murrell:"
The Judge nodded.
Tive met him." he said briefly.
Acting on a sudden impulse, the
Judge fIiuttered something about re-
turning later, and hastily quilted the
Office
In the hall the judges steps dragged
and his headnwas bowed. He was
busy with his memories. Then pas"
sion shook him., ::
Damn hirn-may Gocd;-.tfor. ever
damn him." he. cried under his
| i,rooth in Horpa WhjSDar
They finished supper, the dishes
were cleared away and the candles
lighted, when the: judge produced
mysterious leather-covered case. This
! ne opened and aMahaffy and Hannibal
saw that it held a handsome pair o.
dueling pistols. =. -. =,
Where did You get EN-, judge:-
Oh, amt they beautiful cried Han
nlbaI. circling about the table in his
| excitement.
My dear lad;, they were purchased
only = few hours. ago." said the jude"
quietly, as. he began 10 load tben
= -. :
Norton had. ridden DOWN to- Belle
! Plain estensibly. to view certain o.
those improvements that went Sc tat
| toward iembitterirg Tom Ware" 81
| istence: g.
DO you think Belle Plain 'e aSct
going to look as il did, Charley:-as
we remember it when we we're chill
dren?" asked Betty.
why OF course, 1t is, dear. you arf
doing wonders!".
Ware stalked toward them. h%T-
ing dined with Betty as recentl- Is
! the day before, he contented himself
] with a nod in her direction. His
! greeting to Norton was a more am
! bilious undertaking.
Il understand you've a new over.
seer?".
Then you understand wrong--Car.
. rington's my guest" said Norton.
I He's talking OF putting in a crop ioT
himself next season, so he's willing
to help nue. make mine"
Going to turn farmer, is he?"
| asked Ware;
$50 be says" Norton was extreme
! w.. disappointed when the planter
manifested disposition to play the
! host and returned to the house with
them, where his. presence was such
| a hardship that Norton shortly took
his leaye.,..
Issuing from the lane he turned his
! face in the direction OF horne. He
was within two miles Of Thicker Point
when, passing turn in the road, ne
found himself confronted by three
men. One OF them seized his horse
by the bit Norton had not even
riding whip.
Nov, what do you wish to say to
me?" he asked.
I'VE want your word that you'll
keep away from Belle Plain
"Well, you won't get it, respond
ed Norton.
In the same instant one OF the men
raised: his fist and struck the young
planter in the back OF the neck.
''You curl" cried Norton, as he
wheeled on him. ::
,-.,'DamI him-let him have it,"
80 s.r q.
..iItiwas2 nid-afternoon OF the day fol-
lowing before Betty heard OF the at
tack on Norton. She. ordered her
horse saddled and was soon out on
the! river road, with a groom in. her
wake. Betty never drew rein until
she reached Thicket Point. AS she
galloped into the yard Bruce Caring
ton came from the house.
How is Mr.. Norton?' she asked,
extending her hand.
THE doctor says he'll be up and
about inside OF q. week. If you'll wait
I'll tell him you are here"
Darlington passed on into the
house. He entered the room where
Norton lay.
Miss Malroy is here" he said.
'Betty?-bless her dear heart"
cried Charley weakly. Just toss my
4 Il