The Red Cloud chief., 1912-04-11
CHAPTER /.
The Boy at the earony.

this no longer mattered, for the last
Of his name and race. old General
Cuintard, was dead In the great house
his father had built almost q century
before and the thin acres Of the
Barony, where he had made his last
stand against age and poverty. were
20 claim him. now that he had given
up the struggle In their midst
Though he had lived continuously
ut the Barony for almost quarter OF
p century. there was mono 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-
Hhan Crenshaw. was closeted In the
library with q stranger to whom
rumor fixed the name OF Bladen. sup
posing him to be the legal repre-
sentative Of certain remote connec-
tions OF the old generals.
Crenshaw sat before the fiat-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?" tho
latter was saying.
Crenshaw nodded.
He lived entirely alone, saw no
one, l understand?" said Bladen.
Alone with his two or three old
tslaves-yes. sir. He wouldn't even
bee me-"
There was brief pause. then Cren-
shaw spoke again. Il reckon, sir. II
you know anything about the old gen.
tlemans private affairs you don't feel
mo call to speak on that point?" he
observed.
"An l know 10 this: General Quin.
tard was o conspicuous man In these
parts nifty years ago: he married q
Beaufort"
80 he did," said Crcnshaw. 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 we're interrupted by q knock
at the door.
"Come in," said Crenshaw. The
door opened and small boy entered
the room dragging after him Ions
rifle. Suddenly overcome by a shy
ness. he paused on the threshold Il
stare with round. wondering eyes a
the two men. well. sonny. what dt
you want?" asked MIR. Crenshaw In
diligently.
please. sir. l want this here OLE
spo'tin' ritie." said the child.
Il reckon you may keep it-at leas
I've no objection" Crenshaw glanced
lat Bladen.
"Oh. by all MEANS" said the latter
Spasms OF delight shook the small
figure With murmur that was mean
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 Hazarc
But who Hannibal Wayne Hazard 1
Just wait q minute. sir"-and OUT
ting his chair Mr.. Crenshaw hurrie
from the room to return almost in
mediately with q tall countrymar
"Mr. Bladen. this is Bob Yancy. Bol
the gentleman wants to hear abou
the woman and the child; that's you
story"
"Howdy, sir" said Mr.. Yancy. II
appeared to mediate on the ment,
effort that was required of him.
1T was four years ago come ne,
Christmas" said Crenshaw.
'Old Christmas" corrected M
Yancy. The evening befo', It wa
and I'D gone to Fayetteville to get m
Christmas tixin's. Just at sundown
hooked up that blind mule OF mine
the cart and started TO home A mi
out OF town heard some one sIos
ing through the rain after me.
pulled up and waited. and then mat
out II was woman. She spoke VIII,
ishe was alongside the cart and say
Can you drive me ON to the Barony
When l got down to help her into Il
cart saw she was toting child
her arms. Well, sir, she hardly spo
until we came to the red gate, VIII
she says. Stop. II you please: l
walk the rest OF the way The Ia
i seen Of her she was hurryi
through the rain toting the child
her arms"
Mr.. Crenshaw took up the narrati,
"When morning come she W
gone. but the child done stayed
hind. I've heard Aunt Alsidia tell
how the old general said that mo-
ing. pale and shaking like. 'You'il II
a boy asleep in the red room; he's
be fed and cared TO. but keep b
out OF my sight. His name 10 Han