Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-23

doors as naked as when you entered
the world!" The Judge seemed to
tower above Fentress, the man had
shot up out of his deep debasement.
Choose! Choose!" he thundered. his
shaggy brows bent in a menacing
| frown,
II know nothing about the boy" said
Fentress slowly.
by God, you lie!" stormed the
Judge.
II know nothing about the boy" and
Fentress took a step toward the door.
"Stay where you are!" commanded
the Judge. IF you attempt to leave
this room to call your niggers I'll Kill
you on its Threshold"
But Yancy and Cavendish had step
ped to the door with an intention that
was evident, and Fentress' thin face
cast itself in haggard lines. He was
feeling the judges terrible capacity,
his unexpected ability to deal with q
supreme situation. Even Mahaffy
gazed at his friend in wonder. He
had only seen him spend himself on
trifies, with no further object than the
next meal or the>next drink: he had
believed that as he knew him so he
had always been, lax and loose Of tom
que and deed, a noisy tavern hero, but
now he saw that he was filling what
must have been the measure Of his
manhood.
Il tell you 1 had no hand in carry
ing off the boy" said Fentress with
q sardonic smile.
II look to you to return him. Stir
yourself, Gatewood, or by God. I'll hold
SO fierce a reckoning with you"
The sentence remained unfinished,
for Fentress felt his overwrought
nerves snap. and giving way to-
sudden blind fury struck at the Judge.
I'VE are too old for rough and tum-
ble." said the Judge. who had display
ed astonishing agility in avoiding the
blow. Furthermore we were once
gentlemen. At present am what I
IL,
blackguard! Well settle this as be-
comes our breeding!" He poured HIM
self a second glass Of liquor from Fen
tress' decanter. II wonder II 1t IL pos
sible to insult you," and he tossed
glass and contents in Fentress' face.
The colonels thin features were con-
vulsed. The Judge watched him with
a scornful curling of the lips. Il am
treating you better than you deserve"
he taunted.
Tomorrow morning at sun-up at
Boggs racetrack!" cried Fentress. The
Judge bowed with splendid courtesy.
Nothing could please me half so
WELL" he declared. He turned to the
others. Gentlemen, this is private
matter. When I have met Colonel Fen
tress I shall make a public announce
ment Of why this appeared necessary
to me; until then trust this matter
will not be given publicity. May I
ask your silence?" He bowed again
and abruptly passed from the room.
His three friends followed In his
steps, leaving Fentress standing by
the table, the ghost Of smile on his
thin lips.
AS If the very place were evil. the
Judge hurried down the drive toward
the road. At the gate he paused and
turned on his companions, but his fea-
lures wore a look Of dignity that for
bade comment or question. He held
out his hand to Yancy.
Sir" he said, "if I could command
the riches of the Indies. 1t would tax
my resources to meet the fractional
part of my obligations to you."
Think Of that" said Yancy, as
much overwhelmed by the Judges man
ner as by his words.
His Uncle Bob shall keep his place
In my grandson's life! We will watch
him grow into manhood together" The
Judge was visibly affected. A smile
Of deep content parted Mr.. Yancy's lips
as his muscular fingers closed about
the judges hand with crushing force.
"Whoop!" cried Cavendish. delight
ed at this recognition Of Yancy's love
for the boy, and he gleefully smote
the austere Mahaffy on the shoulder.
But Mahaffy was dumb in the pres
ence of the decencies. he quite lacked
an interpreter. The judge looked back
at the house.
"Mine!" he muttered. "The clothes
he stands in-the food he eats-mine!
Mine!"
ITO be Continued).