Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-30
CHAPTER XVII.
The Judge Extends His Credit.

The Judge Extends His Credit.
That afternoon Judge Price walked
out to Belle Plain. Solomon Mahany
had known hat this was a civiiity
Betty Malroy could by no means es-
cape. He had been conscious OF the
Judges purpose from the moment IT
existed In the germ state. and he had
striven to divert him, but his striving
had been in vain, for though the
Judge valued Mr.. Mahafy 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 It
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 five thousand dollars. Ger.
tainly her grief could not blind her
to the fact that he had met the stu.
alton with a largeness OF public spirit
that was an impressive lesson to the
entire community.
These were all points over which
he and Mahaffy 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
or his objections. He pointed out
that Norton had probably left a will
no M knew yet-probably his es.
tate would go to his intended wife
what more likely? lie 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 a wide sunny smile.
You mean she needs q lawyer
Price?" insinuated Mahaffy.
That slap at me, Solomon, Is un
worthy Of you. Just name some one
will you, who has shown an interest
comparable to mine? | may FAY
have devoted my entire energy to heI
affairs, and with disinterestedness.
have made myself felt. VIII you men
ton who else these cutthroats have
tried to browbeat and frighten? Thej
know that my theories and conclu
sions are a menace to them! go
'em in a panic. sir-presently somt
out for the tall timber-and 1t vii
be just Judge Slocum Price whoi
done the trick-no one else!"
Are you looking for some one Il
take a pot shot at your" inquired Ma
hairy. sourly.
your remark my fondes
, hope. S~olomon-I'd give five years o
my life Just to be shot at-that woul'
round out the episode OF the lette
nicely; again the Judge beamed o.
r Mahaffy with that wide and sum,
smile Of his.
|, why don't you let the boy g
3 alone, Price?" suggested Mahafry. II
|, lacked that sense OF sublime conf
4 dence in the judges tact and discrt
| ton OF which the Judge. himself. Ell
4 t~ertained never a doubt.
Il shall not obtrude myself. Soit
mon: | shall merely walk out to Bell
Plain and leave a civil mesSsse.
1 know what's due MtEG mslsoy In ne
bereaved state-she hae sustained n
ordinary loss. and III no ordinar
fashion. She has been the center {
8 a striking and profoundly movin
tragedy! would give a good deal I
know II my late client left q will
Q you might ask her." said Mahan
c~ynically. Nothing like going
headquarters for the news!"
Solomon. Solomon. give me cred
X for common sense-go further, an
@ give me credit for common decencJ
a Don't let US forget that ever since "
came here sho has manifested
charmingly hospitable spirit where v
O are concerned"
Wouldn't charity hit nearer II
a nj