Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-02
CHAPTER XIII.
The Judss Offers q Reward.

der spread quickly over the county.
For two or three days bands Of armed
men secured the woods and roads, and
then this activity quite unproductive
of any tangible results ceased, mat
ters were allowed to rest with the con-
stituted authorities, namely Mr.. Belts,
the sheriff. and .his deputies.
No private citizen had shown great
er zeal than Judge Slocum Price. no
voice had clamored more eloQuently
for speedy justice than his. He mad
sustained a loss. that was in a pecu-
liar sense personal, he explained. Mr..
Norton was his friend and client; they
had much in common; their political
ideals were In the strictest accord and
he had entertained q most favorable
opinion Of the young mans abilities;
he had urged him to enter the national
arena and carve out career for him.
self; he had promised him his support.
The Judge so worked upon his own
feelings that presently any mention OF
Norton's name utterly unnamed him.
Well, this was life. One could only
claim time as It was doled out by clock
ticks; we planned for the years ana
could not be certain Of the moments.
He spent two entire days at the
church and in the surrounding woods,
nor did any one describe the murder
with the vividness he achieved In his
description Of 1t. The minister's mar
rative was pale and colorless by COM
parison, and those who came from a
distance went away convinced that
they had talked with an eyewitness
to the tragedy and esteemed them
selves fortunate. In short, he impos-
ed himself on the situation with such
brilliancy that in the end his account
Of the murder became the accepted
versions from which all other versions
differed to their discredit.
In the same magnificent spirit OF
public service he would have assumed
the direction of the search for the
muderer, but Mr.. Belts jealousy prov
ed an obstacle to his ambitious de-
sign. In view Of this he was regret
full, but not surprised when the hard
ridden miles covered by dusty men and
reeking horses yielded only failure.
IF I had shot that poor boy,
wouldn't ask any surer guarantee OF
safety than to have that fool Belts
with his microscopic brain working In
unhampered asininity on the case" he
told Mahaffy.
&c II your idea that you are enlarg-
ing your circle Of intimate friends by
the way you go about slamming into
folks?q' inquired Mahafry, with harsh
sarcasm.
Later, the Judge was shocked at
what he characterized as official apa-
thy. 1t became a point on which he
expressed himself with SURPRISING
candor.
DO they think the murderer's going
to come in and give himself up?-is
that the notion?" he demanded heat
edly Of Mr.. Saul.
THE sheriff owns himself beat, sir;
the murderer's got safely away and
left no clue to his identity"
The Judge waived this aside.
Clues, sir? II you mean physical
evidence the eye can apprehend, !
grant It.; the murderer has got away;
certainly he's been given all the time
he needed, but what about the motive
that prompted the crime. An intelli-
gently conducted examination such as
I am willing to undertake might still
bring 1t to light. Isn't it known that
Norton was attacked a fortnight ago
as he was leaving Belle Plain? He re-
covers and Is about TO be married to
Miss Malroy when he Is shot at the
church door; I'll hazard the opinion
the attack was in the nature of q
warning for him to keep away from
Belle Plain. Now, had he rival?
Clear up these points and you get a
clue!" The Judge paused impressive
ly.
Tom Ware has acted In a straight
forward manner. He's stated frankly
he was opposed to the match, that
when he heard of it on his way TO
Memphis he turned back and made ev-
cry effort to get to the church in time
to stop 1t If he could" said Mr.. Saul.
Mr.. Ware need not be considered
observed the judge.
We'll, there's been a heap Of talk. VI
IF he'd inspired the firing of the IA
tai shot he'd have kept away from the
church. No, no. Mr.. Saul, Is there
anybody hereabout who aspired to
Miss Malroy's hand-any rejected
suitor?"
Not that we know Of"
Under ordinary circumstances, sir
/ am opposed to measures that ignore
the constituted authorities, but we
find ourselves living under eXtraordi-
nary conditions, and the law-God
save the name-has proved itself abor-
tive. 1t is time for the better element
to join hands; we must get together
sir. l am willing to take the initial
steps and issue the call for a mass
meeting of our best citizens. l am
prepared to address such a meeting
The very splendor Of his conception
dazzled the Judge; this promised q
gorgeous publicity with his name fly
ing broadcast over the county. He
continued: IT am ready to give my
time gratuitously to directing the ac-
tivities of a body of picked men who
shall rid the county Of the lawless
element. God knows, sir. l desire the
repose of a private career, yet I am
willing to sacrifice myself Is it your
opinion, Mr.. Saul. that l should move
in this natter"
Il advise you didn't" said Mr.. Saul
with disappointing alacrity.
The judge looked at him fixedly.
Am wrong in supposing. Mr.. Saul
that II I determine to act as I have
outlined / shall have your indorse'
ment?" he demanded. Mr.. Saul look
ed extremely uncomfortable: he was
finding the judges effulgent personali'
ty rather compelling. There Is nC
gentleman whose support I should
value in quite the same sense that