Putnam patriot., 1912-06-07
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six little Cavendishes, whom they had not seen since early morning: but theEs promised to be back at Belle Plain within an hour.
 By very nature an alien, Mahany sought out a dark corner on the wide porch that overlooked the river to await their return. The house had been thrown open. and supper was be- ing served to whoever cared to stay and partake of it. The murmur of idle purposeless talk drffted out to him; he was irritated and offended by it. There was something garish in this indiscriminate hospitality in the very home of tragedy. AS the mo- ments slipped by his sense of dis pleasure increased, with mankind in general, with himself, and with the udge-principally with the judge who was to make a foolish target of himself in the morning. He was go- ing to give the man who had wrecked his life a chance to take it as well. Mahaffy's cold logic dealt cynically with the preposterous situation his friend had created.
 In the midst of his angry medita- tions he heard clock strike in the hall and counted the strokes. It was nine o'clock. Surely Yancy and Cav endish had been gone their houri He quilted his seat and strolled restless ly about the house. He felt deeply indignant with everybody and every thing. Human intelligence seemed but a pitiable advance on brute in- stinct A whole day had passed and what had been accomplished? Car rington, the judge, Yancy. Gavendish the four men who might have worked together to some purpose had widely separated themselves; and here was the duel, the very climax of absurdity. He resumed his dark cor ner and waited another hour. Still no Darlington, and Yancy and Caven- dish had not come up from the raft.
 "Fools!" thought Mahaffy bitterly. '.All of them fools!"
 At last he decided to go back to the judge; and a moment later was hurrying down the lane in the direc- tion of the highroad, but, jaded as he was by the effort he had already put for that day, the walk to Raleigh made tremendous demands on him, and it was midnight when he entered the little town.
 It cannot be said that he was alto gether surprised when he found their cottage dark and apparently desert ed. He had half expected this. En- teriHg, and not stopping to secure a candle, he groped his way upstairs to the room on the second floor which he and the judge shared.
 "Price!" he called, but this gained him no response, and he cursed soft ly under his breath.
 He hastily descended to the kitch- en, lighted a candle, and stepped into the adjoining room. On the table was a neat pile of papers, and topping the pile was the presidents letter. Be- ing burdened by no false scruples, and thinking it might afford some clue to the Judges whereabouts, Ma haffy took it up and read it. Having mastered its contents he instantly glanced in the direction of the City Tavern. but it was wrapped in dark ness.
 Price is drunk somewhere" was his definite conclusion. But he'll be at Boggs' the first thing in the morn ing-most likely so far gone he can hardly stand,"
 The letter, with its striking news, made little or no impression on him just then; it merely furnished the clue he had sought. The judge was of somewhere marketing his pros poets
 After a time Mahaffy went up- stairs, and, without removing his clothes. threw himself on the bed. lie was worn down to the point of ex- haustion, yet he could not sleep. though the deep silence warned him that day was not far oh- What H. but he would not let the thought shape itself in his mind. He had Wit messed the Judges skill with the pis- tol. and he had even certain ira tional faith in that gentlemans des- tiny. He prayed God that Fentress might die quickly and decently with the judge's bullet through his bra1n. Over and over in savage supphcAtlon he muttered his prayer that Fentress might die.
 Nahaffy watched for the coming CT the dawn, but before the darkness lifted be had risen from the bed ana gone downstairs, where he made him- self a cup of wretched coffee. Then he blew out his candle and watched the gray light spread. He was i'm patient now to be of, and fully an hour before the sun. set out Tor Boggs'. a tall. gaunt figure III the shadowy uncertainty of that october morning. He was the first to reaen the place of meeting, but ne hAd scarcely entered the meadow when Fentress rode up. attended by Tom Ware. They dismounted. and the colonel lifted his hat. MahaHy pare ly acknowledged the salute; he was in no mood for courtesies that meant nothing. Ware was clearly of the same mind.
 There was an awkward pause, then Fentress and Ware spoke together Tn a low tone. The planters speech was broken and hoarse. and his neaVy' blood-shot eyes were the eyes oi haunted man: this was all part oT Fantress' scheme to face the world, and Ware still believed that the nres Hicks had kindled had served his des- perate need.
 When the first long shadows stole out from the edge of the woods feh- tress turned to Mahary, whose glance vas directed toward the distant cor
 urho a knew DIS