Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-19

spectacles with great deliberation. He
felt that he had reached a crisis In
his career, and was disposed to linger
over the hope that was springing up in
his heart.
How does the docket for the next
term of court stand?" he inquired.
Pretty fair, sir" said Mr.. Saul.
ANY litigation of unusual interest
in prospect?" The judge was fitting
the glasses to the generous arch OF
his nose, feature which nicely indexed
its owners habits.
mo, sir, just the ordinary run OF
cases"
Il hoped to hear you say different
you've set on the bench, sir?" sug-
gested Mr.. Paul.
In one Of the eastern counties, but
my inclination has never been toward
the judiciary. My temperament SIR
Is distinctly aggressive-ande each one
according to the gifts with which God
has been graciously pleased to endow
him! l am frank to say, however, that
nv decisions have received their NEED
of praise from men thoroughly compe-
tent to speak on such matters" He
was turning the leaves Of the ledger
as he spoke. Suddenly the movement
of his hand was arrested.
Found it?" asked Mr.. Saul. But
the Judge gave him no answer; alb
sorbed and aloof he was staring down
at the open pages of the book. Found
the entry?" repeated Mr.. Saul.
"Eh?-what's that No" he ap-
peared to hesitate. who is this man
Quintard?" The question cost him
an effort, that was plain.
He's the owner of hundred-thou-
sand acre tract in this and abuttinS
counties" said Mr.. Saul.
The Judge continued to stare down
at the page.
rs he a resident of the county?" he
asked, at length.
mo, he lives back yonder in North
Carolina"
"a
Judge muttered thoughtfully.
There or thereabouts, yes, sir"
Who has charge of the land?"
Colonel Fentress; he was old Cen
eral Wares law partner. I've heard
it was the general who got this man
Quintard to make the investment, but
that was before my time in these
parts"
The Judge lapsed into a heavy, brood
ing silence.
A step sounded in the narrow hall.
An instant later the door was pushed
open, and grateful for any Interrupt
ton that would serve to take Mr..
Saurs attention from himself, the
Judge abruptly turned his back on
the clerk and began to examine the
record before him. Engrossed in this.
he was at first scarcely aware of the
conversation that was being carried
on within a few feet of him. Insensi-
bly,, however, the cold, level tones of
the voice that was addressing itself to
Mr.. Saul quickened the beat of his
pulse the throb of his heart, and
struck back through the years to a
day from which he reckoned time. The
heavy, calf-bound volume in his hand
shook like a leaf in gale. He turned
slowly, as if in dread of what he might
see.
What he saw was a man verging on
sixty, lean and dark, with thin, shaven
cheeks of blush cast above the jaw,
and a strongly aquiline profile. Long,
black locks swept the collar of his coat,
while his tall spare figure was habited
in sleek broadcloth and spotless linen.
For a moment the judge semed to
struggle with doubt and uncertainty,
then his face went ghastly white
and the book slipped from his nerve
less fingers to the window ledge.
The stranger, his business conclud-
ed, swung about on his heel and quit
ted the Office. The judge, his eyes
starting from their sockets. stared af-
ter him; the very breath died on his
lips; speechless and motionless, he
was still seeing that tall, spare figure
as it had passed before him, but his
memories stripped a weight of thir-
ty years from those thin shoulders.
glanced about him. Mr.. Saul bending
above his desk, was making an entry
in one of his ledgers. The judge shut
fled to his side.
Who was that man." he asked
thickly resting a shaking hand on
the clerks arm.
hat?-Oh, that was Colonel Fen
tress l was just telling you about" He
looked up from his writing. Hello!
You look like you'd seen a ghost!"
It's the heat in here-I reckon"
said the judge, and began to mop his
face.
Ever seen the colonel before?"
asked Mr.. Saul curiously.
Who is he?"
well, sir, he's one of our leading
planters, and a mighty fine lawyer"
Has he always lived here?"
NO, he came into the county about
ten years ago, and bought place
called The Oaks. over toward the riv-
err"
Has he-has he a family?" The
judge appeared to be having difficulty
with his speech.
Not that anybody knows Of. Some
say he's a widower, others again say
he's an old bachelor; but he don't say
nothing, for the colonel is as close as
wax about his own affairs. So it's
pure conjecture, sir" There was a
brief silence. THE county has it's
conundrums, and the cOlonels one of
them," resumed Mr.. Saul.
"Yes?" said the judge.
The colOnels got his friends, to
be sure, but he don't mix much with
the real quality"
why not?" asked the judge.
He's apparently as high toned gen.