Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-16
CHAPTER XVII.
The Judge Extend. HE cred,t.

V08C 0It0f00Ou J008e fTlCe WeIAe0
out to Belle Plain. Solomon Mahany
had Known that this was . civility
Betty Malrcy could by no means e.
cape. He had been conscious of the
Judges purpose from the moment 1t
existed In the germ state, and he had
striven to divert him, but his striving
had been In vain, for though tho
fudge valued Mr.. Maha6y because Of
certain sterling qualities which he
protested to discern beneath the hard
crust that made up the external man,
he was not disposed to accept him as
his mentor IN nice matters of taste
and gentlemanly feeling. He owed 1t
to himself personally to tender his
sympathy. Miss Malroy must have
heard something Of the honorable
part he had played: surely she could
not be In ignorance Of the fact that
the lawless element, dreading his fur
Their activities, had threatened him.
She must know, too, about that re-
ward of I'VE thousand dollars. Ger
tainly her grief could not blind her
to the fact that he had met the stu
alton with largeness of public spirit
that was an impressive lesson to tho
entire community.
These were all points over which
hc and Mahany had wrangled, and
he felt that his friend. in seeking to
keep him away from Belle Plain, was
standing sQuarely in his light. He
really could not understand Solomon
lor his objections. He pointed out
that Norton had probably left q viii
mo one knew yet-probably his es-
tate would go to his intended wife
what more likely? He understood
Norton had cousins somewhere in
middle Tennessee-there was the at
tractive possibility of extended litiga-
ton. Miss Malroy needed a strong.
clear brain to guide her past those
diff culties his agile fancy assembled
in her path. He beamed on his friend
with wide sunny smile.
you msaa che needs . lawyer,
Price?" insinuated Maha1fy.
THAT slap at me. Solomon. 10 un-
worthy Of you. Just name some one.
will you, who has shown an interest
comparable to miner may say
have devoted my entire energy to her
affairs, and With disinterestedness. 1
have made myself felt. viii you men
ton Who else these cutthroats have
tried TO browbeat and brighten! They
know that my theories ana conclu-
sions are menace to them! got
'em In q panic, sir-presently some
fellow will lose his nerve and light
out for the tall timber-and 1t will
be just Judge Slocum Price who's
done the trick-no one else!"
Are you looking for some one to
take a pot shot at you:" inquired Ma
haffy. sourly.
your remark uncovers my fondest
hope, solomon-rd give five years OF
my life just to be shot at-that would
round out the episode OF the letter
nicely; again tho judge beamed on
Mahany with that wide and sunny
smile of his.
Why don't you let the boy go
alone, Price?' suggested Mahany. He
lacked that sense Of sublime conf
dence In the judges tact and discre-
ton of which the judge, himself, en-
tertained never doubt.
/ II shall not obtrude myself, Solo
mon; I shall merely walk out to Belle
Plain and leave q civil message. I
know what's due Miss Malroy in her
bereaved state-she has sustained no
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 Mahaffy
icynically. Nothing like going to
Headquarters for the news!"
solomon. Solomon, give me credit
for common sense-go further. and
give mo credit for common decency!
Don't lot 10 forget that ever since We
came here she has manifested q.
chsrmingly hospitable spirit where we
are concerned"
Wouldn't charity hit nearer the
mark. Price?'
II have never 80 regarded 1t, 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 10 wondering in the midst
Of her grief why haven't called, but
she'll appreciate the considerate del
licacy Of q gentleman. l wish it were
possible to get cut flowers In this
cussed wilderness!"
The judge had been occupied with
: simple but ingenious toilet. He
had trimmed the frayed skirts of his
coat; then, by turning his cuffs in
side out and upside down fresh sur
face made its first public appearance.
Next his shoes had engaged his at
itention. They might have we'll dis
a less resolute and resource
full character, but with the contents
OF his ink-well he artfully colored his
white yarn socks where they showed
through the riffs In the leather This
the Judge did gsily, now humming a
snatch OF song, now listening civiily
ito Mahaffy, now replying with undis-
: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
O1-colis, Hannibal! Hannibal" BE said
At heart he cherished small hope OF
GGasan9 Haffy. afivanta 9eous A he felt