Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-13


Al. little UayenuisEes, ".o7-. -.
not seen since early morning: but
they promised to be back al Belle
Plain within an hour.
By very nature an alien, MahaHy
sought out dark corner on the vide
porch that overlooked the river 10
await their return. The house had
been thrown open, and supper was be-
ing served to whoever cared 10 stay
and partake OF II. The murmur or
idle purposeless talk drifted out TO
him; be was irritated and offended by
If There was something garish IN
this indiscriminate hospitality In the
very home OF tragedy. AS the mo-
ments slipped by his sense OF dis
Measure increased. with mankind in
general, with himself. and with the
INTERNATIONALLY with the Judge
who was to make foolish target or
himself In the morning. He was 60
ing to give the man who had wrecked
his life chance to take 1t as well.
Mahatfys cold logic dealt cynically
with the preposterous situation his
friend had created.
In the midst OF his angry media
lions he heard clock strike IN the
hall and counted the strokes. 1t was
nine O'Clock. Surely Yancy and Cav.
endish had been gone their hour! lie
omitted his seat and strOlled RESTLESS
Iy about the house. He felt deeply
Indignant with everybody and every
thing. Human Intelligence Seemed
but pitiable advance on brute IN.
stinct. A whole day had passed and
what had been accomplished? Car.
rington, the Judge. Yancy. CaVendlsh
the four men who might have
worked together to some purpose
had widely separated themselves; and
here was the duel, the very climax or
absurdity. He resumed his dark cor
ner and waited another hour. Still
no Darlington, and Yancy and CaYen-
dish had not come up from the raIt.
Fools" thought Mahatfy bitterly.
"All or them foolS!".
Al last he decided 10 go back TO
the Judge; and q moment later was
mrrying down the lane IN the nlrec-
ton OF the hishroad, but, Jaded Rs lie
was By the effort lie had already put
| for that day, the wall 10 Raleigh
made tremendous dem--ds on him,
| and il 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. lie had half expected this. En-.
tering, and not stopping to secure a
candle, he CROPPED his way upstairs TO
the room on the second MOOR. which
he and the judge shared. e:
"Price" he called. but this gained
him no response, and lie cursed SOFT
~ under his breath.
He hastily descended TO The K!tcn-
Ell, lighted a candle, and stepped into
the adjoining room. On the table was
q neat pile OF papers, and topping the
pile was the presidents letter. Be.
ing burdened by no false scruples,
and thinking II might afford some
clue to the judges whereabouts. Ma
haffy took II up and read 1t. Having
mastered its contents he instantly
glanced in the direction OF the City
Tavern, but IL was wrapped in dark
| ness.
Price is drunk somewhere, was
his definite conclusion. But he'll be
ut 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
| inst then; II merely furnished the
clue he had sought. The judge was
off somewhere marketing his pros
poets.
After time Mahafy went up,
stairs, and, without removing his
clothes, threw himself on the bed. lie
vas worn down to the point OF ex-
hatstion, yet he could not sleep,
| though the deep silence warned him
that day was not far OF. What II
but he would not let the thought
| shape itself in his mind. He had Wit
messed the judges skill with the pls-
tol. and he bad even certain IRA
| tional faith in that gentlelnans des-
tiny. lie prayed God that F'entress
might die quickly and decently with
| the Judges bullet through his brain.
Over and over IN savage supplcatlon
| he muttered his prayer that FentresS
might die.
Mahatry watched for the coming or
| the dawn, but before the darkness
lifted he had risen from the bed and
gone downstairs, where he made MINI
self a cup OF wretched coffee. linen
he blew out bis 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 lot
| Boggs', q tall, gaunt figure IN the
shadowy uncertainty Of that October
morning. He was the first to reach
the place Of meeting. but he had
scarcely entered the meadow when