The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-12

glanced IN the direction OF the Ci1y
Tavern, out ii was wrapped III dark
ness.
Price is drunk somewhere" vas
his definite conclusion. But he'll be
at BogSs the first thing in the morn
ing-most likely SO far gone he can
barely stand"
Inc letter, with its striking news,
made little or no impression on him
just then; it merely furni.h he'd the
clue he had sought The judge was
off somewhere marketing his pros
poets
After 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 Off What if
but le, 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 a certain IRA
tional faith in that gentleman's des-
tiny. He prayed God that Fentress
might die quickly and decently with
the judges bullet through his brain
Over and over In savage supplication
he muttered his prayer that Fentress
might die.
Mahaffy watched for the coming or
the dawn, but before the darkness
lifted he had risen from the bed and
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 off, and fully an
hour before the sun. set out for
Boggs', a 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
Fentress rode up, attended by Tom
Ware. They dlsmounted, and The
colonel lifted his hat. Mahaffy bare
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 In
low tone. The planters speech was
broken and hoarse, and his heavy,
blood-shot eyes were the eyes OF q
haunted man; this was all a part of
Fentress' scheme to face the world,
and Ware still believed that the fires
CkC hod Iol
perate need.
When the first long shadows stole
out from the edge of the woods Fen.
tress turned to Mahaffy, whose glance
was directed toward the distant cor.
ner of the field. where he knew his
friend must first appear.
why are we waiting, sir?" he de-
manded, his tone cold and formal
Something has occurred to detain
Price," answered Mahaffy
The colonel and Ware exchanged
looks. Again they spoke together,
while Mahaffy watched the road. Ten
minutes slipped by In this manner,
and once more Fentress addressed
Mahaffy.
A|O yOu hhOW WudL COulQ nave O0s
tained him?" he inquired, the ghost
of smile curling his thin lips.
II don't" said Mahaffy. and relapsed
into a moody and anxious silence. He
held dueling In very proper abhor-
renee, and only his feeling of intense
but never-declared loyalty to his
friend had brought him there.
Another interval of waiting sue.
ceeded.
II have about reached the end OF
my patience; l shall wait just ten
minutes longer" said Fentress, and
drew out his watch.
Something has happened" began
Mahaffy.
Il have kept my engagement; he
should have kept his" Fentress con.
tinued, addressing Ware. II am sor.