Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-03-27
CHAPTER
The Bay at the sarony.

The Quintards had not prospered
on the barren lands OF the pine woods
whittier they had emigrated to es-
cape the malaria OF the low coast. but
this 10 longer mattered, tor the last
OF his name and race. old General
ouintard. was dead IN the great house
his father had built almost a century
before and the thin acres OF the
Barony. where he had made his last
stand against age and poverty. were
TO claim him. now that he had given
up the struggle in their midst
Though be mad lived continuously
at the Barony for almost a quarter OF
q century, there was none among his
neighbors who could say ne had
looked on that thin. aquiline face IN
all that time.
That notable man Of business, iona.
than Creushaw. was closeted IN the
library with a stranger TO whom
rumor fixed the name OF Baden. sup
posing him 10 be the legal repre-
sentative OF certain remote connec-
lions of the old generals.
Crenshaw sat before the iiat-topped
mahogany desk with several account
books before him. Bladen stood by
the window.
4 suppose you will buy in the prop
erty when It comes up for sale?' the
latter was saying.
Crenshaw nodded.
lie lived entirely alone, saw no
one, ! underestimate" said baden.
Alone with his two or three old
slaves-yes. sir. he wouldn't even
see me"
There was brief nause. then Cren.
shaw spoke again Il reckon. SIR, II
you know anything about the old gen
tleman's private AFFAIRS you don't feel
no call to speak on that point?"
"All know 10 this: Genera luin.
tard was conspicuous man In these
parts fifty years ago. he married
Beaufort"
$50 he did" said Crenshaw, "and
there was one child. a daughter; she
married a South Caroinian by the
name OF Turberville Great folks.
those Turbervilles. rolling rich"
And what became OF the daughter
who married Turbervills?
Died years ago" said Crenshaw.
They were interrupted by gnock
at the door
Come In" said Crenshaw. The
door opened and a small hoy entered
the room dragging aftGf him n long
rifle. Suddenly overcome by shy.
ness. he paused on the threshold to
stare with round. wondering eyes at
the two men. well, sonny, what do
you want?" asked MIR. Crenshaw In.
diligently.
"Piease. sir. want this here old
spo'tin' rifle" said the child.
Il reckon you may keep tat least
I've no objection" Crenshaw glanced
at Bladen.
oh, by all MEANS" said the latter.
Spasms Of delight shook the sinai.
figure. with murmur that was meant
for thanks he backed from the room.
closing the door Baden glanced in.
qulringly at Crenshaw.
You want TO know about him. siry
Well. that's Hannibal Wayne Hazard
But who Hannibal Wayne Hazard is
just wait a minute, sir"---and quit
ting his chair Mr.. Crenshaw hurried
from the room to return almost lin.
mediately with tail eonntryman.
'Mr. Bladen. this is Bob Yancy. Bob.
the gentleman wants 10 hear about
the woman and the child: that's your
story"
iiowdy, sir" said Mr. yancy. ne
appeared TO mediate on the mental
effort that was required OF him.
1T was four years ago come next
Christmas" said Crenshaw.
"Old Christmas" corrected MIR.
Yancy. "The evening befo'. IL was.
and I'd gone to Fayetteville to get my
Christmas iixin's. Just at shutdown
hooked up that blind mule OF mine 10
the cart and started 70 home. A mile
out of town | heard some one slosn,
ing through the rain after me.
pulled up and waited. and then made
out II was a woman. She spoke when
she was alongside the cart and saws,
Nhn YOU utANS hc va " kHe barOuy
When | got down to help her into the
cart | saw she was toting child in
her arms Well. sir. she hardly smoke
until we came to the red gate. when
she says. Stop. II you please: IN
walk the rest OF the way. The last
seen Of her she was hurrying
through the rain toting the child IN
her arms"