Putnam patriot., 1912-02-09
CHAPTER |.
The Boy at the Barony.

whither they had emigrated to es- cape the malaria of the low coast, but this no longer mattered, for the last of his name and race, old General Quintard, 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 he had lived continuously at the Barony for almost quarter of a century, there was none among his neighbors who could say he had looked on that thin, aquiline face in all that time. Yet they had known much of him, for the gossip of the slaves, who had been his only friends in those years he had chosen to deny himself to other friends, had gone far and wide over the county.
 That notable man of business, Jona- than Crenshaw, was closeted In the library with stranger to whom rumor fixed the name of Bladen, sup posing him to be the legal repre- sentative of certain remote connec- tions of the old generals.
 Crenshaw sat before the tiat-topped mahogany desk with several account books before him. Bladen stood by the window.
 T suppose you will buy in the prop erty when it comes up for sale?" the latter was saying.
 Crenshaw nodded.
 He lived entirely alone, saw no one. I understand" said Bladen.
 Alone with his two or three old slaves-yes, sir. He wouldn't even see me"
 There was brief pause, then Cren- shaw spoke again. T reckon, sir, If you know anything about the old gen. tleman's private affairs you don't feel no call to speak on that point?" he observed.
 "An know is this: General Quin- tard was a conspicuous man in these parts fifty years ago; he married Beaufort"
 So he did" said Crenshaw, "and there was one child, daughter; she married a South Carolinian by the name of Turberville. Great folks, those Turbervilles, rolling rich"
 And what became of the daughter who married Turberville?"
 Died years ago." said Crenshaw.
 They were interrupted by knock at the door.
 "Come in," said Crenshaw. The door opened and a small boy entered the room dragging after him long rife. Suddenly overcome by a shy ness, he paused on the threshold to, stare with round, wondering eyes at the two men. Well, sonny, what do you want?" asked MT. Crenshaw in- diligently
 Please, sir, l want this here old spo'tin' rifle" said the child.
 T reckon you may keep it-at least I've no objection" Crenshaw glanced at Bladen.
 "Oh. by all means" said the latter. Spasms of delight shook the small figure. With murmur that was meant for thanks he backed from the room, closing the door. Bladen glanced in-
 
 quiringly at Crenshaw.
 "You want to know about him. sir? Well, that's Hannibal Wayne Hazard. But who Hannibal Wayne Hazard is just wait a minute, sir"-and quit ting his chair Mir Crenshaw hurried from the room to return almost im- mediately with a tall countryman. "Mr. Bla6en, this is Bob Fancy. Bob, the gentleman wants to hear about the woman and the child; that's your story"
 "Howdy, sir,'' said MT. Yancy. He appeared to mediate on the mental effort that was required of him.
 Tt was four years ago come next Christmas" said Crenshaw.
 "Old Christmas" corrected MT. Yancy. The evening befo', 1t was. and I'd gone to Fayetteville to get my Christmas fixin's. Just at sundown hooked up that blind mule of mine to the cart and started fo' home. A mile out of town I heard some one slosh- ing through the rain after me. pulled up and waited, and then l made out 1t was a woman. She spoke when she was alongside the cart and says, Can you drive me on to the BaronyT When I got down to help her into tho cart I saw she was toting child in her arms. We'll, sir, she hardly spoke until we came to the red gate, when she says, Stop, if you please; I'll walk the rest of the way. The last I seen of her she was hurrying through the rain toting the child in her arms
 MT. Crenshaw took up the narrative
 "When morning come she was gone, but the child done stayed be- hind. I've heard Aunt Alsidia tell as how the old general said that morn ing, pale and shaking like, You'll ind boy asleep in the red room; he's to be fed and cared fo', but keep him out of my sight. His name is Hanni- bal Wayne Hazard That is all the general ever said on the matter"
 The old general was borne across what had once been the west lawn to his resting-place in the neglected acre where the dead and gone of his race lay. and the record of the family was complete, as far as any man knew Then Crenshaw, assisted by Bon Yancy, proceeded to secure the great house against intrusion.
 They passed from room to room SC curing doors and windows, and at last stepped out upon the back porcn
 "Hullo," said Yancy, pointing.
 There on 6 bench by the kitchen door was Hannibal Wayne Hazard ..,~>c ~t,h hts oId apo'tin' Ytfl(