Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-06-06
Saint Wafgfs Beacon.
thought to invent jug with glass
bottom" he observed.


claimed the judge. Coming as you
do from that section which invented
the wooden nutmeg, and an eightday
clock that has been known to run
as much as four or five hours at.
stretch. | am aware the Yankees are
an ingenious people; | wonder none
of 'em ever though or jug with a
glass bottom, so that when a body
holds 1t up to the light he can see at
q glance whether it is empty or not.
DO you reckon Peg1oe has sufficient
confidence to fill the jug again for
us?"
But Mahaffy's expression indicated
no great confidence in Mr.. Pegloe's
confidence.
Credit" began the Judge, rs pro-
verbally shy; still it may sometimes
be increased, like the muscles Of the
body and the mental faculties, by ju-
dicious use. I've always regarded
Pagloe's as cheap mind l hope |
have done him an injustice" He put
on his hat, and tucking the jug under
his arm went from the house.
Ten or fifteen minutes elapsed. Ma
hafPy considered this a good sign; 1t
didn't take long to say no, he reflect
ed. Another ten or fifteen elapsed.
Mahaffy lost heart. Then there came
a hasty step beyond the door, 1t was
thrown violently open, and the judge
precipitated himself into the room. A
glance showed Mahaify that he was
laboring under intense excitement.
Solomon, l bring shocking news.
God knows what the next few hours
may reveal" cried the Judge, mop.
ping his brow. Miss Malroy his dis
appeared from Belle Plain. and Han
nihal has gone with herl"
Where have they gomez" asked Ma
haffy, and his long jaw dropped
Would to God l had an answer
ready for that question, Solomon!"
answered the Judge, with a melan-
choly shake OF the nead. lie gazed
down on bis friend with an air OF
large tolerance. i am going TO Belle
Pla.n, but you are too drunk Sleep
it of. Scion Oh. and Join me when
your brain IS clear and your legs
steady"
MahaTy jersed out an oath. and
Iftina hims eli OH his chair, stood
erect. lie suatched up his hat.
STUFF your pistols into your pock.
cts, and come OH, Price!" he said,
and stsiked toward the door.
lie fitted UP the street, and the
Judge pulled AMI painted in his wake.
They gained the edge of the village
without speech
There is mystery and rascality
here!" said the Judge.
what do you know, Price, and
where did You hear thls?" Mahany
shot the question back over his shout
der.
at pegloes; the Belle Plain over
seer had just fetched the news into
town"
Again they were silent, all their
energies being absorbed by the physi.
cal exertion they were making. The
road danced before their burning
eyes, it seemed to be uncoillng itself
scrpentwise with hideous undulations.
Mr. Mahany was conscious that the
Judge, Of whom he caught blurred
vision now at his right side, now at
his left was laboring painfully IN the
beat and dust the breath whistlng
from between his parched lips.
You're just ripe for apopexy,
Price!" he snared, moderating his
pace,
GO on" said the Judge, with stolld
resolution
Two miles out Of the village they
came to q roadside spring; here they
paused for an instant. MahaTy
scoopcd up handfuls Of the clear wa
ter and sucked It grecdily The Judge
dropped on his stomach and buried
his face In the tiny pool, gulping
up great thirsty swallows. After a
long bTCathless instant he stood erect,
with drops Of moisture clinging to his
nose and eyebroWs Mahany was a
dozen PAGES down the road hurrying
forward again with relentless yigor,
The judge shutIled after him. The
tracks they lett in the dust crossed
and re-crossed the road, but present
~ the slanting lines Of their advance
Strengthened, the judge gained and
held a fixed place at Mahafry's right,
step or SO in the rear. His opulent
fancy began to deal with the situa-
ton.
IF anything happens to the child,
the man responsible for 1t would bet
ter never been born-I'll pursue him
with undiminished energy from this
moment FORTH" he painted
''What could happen to him, Priee7"
asked Mahahy.
God knows, poor little lad!"
viii you shut upl" cried Manafry
sovagelv.
Solomon"
why do you go building on that
idea? Why should any one harm him
what earthly purpose"
Il tell you, Solomon, We are the
pivotal point in a vast circle of crime.
This is blow at me--this is revenge.
sir, neither more nor lessl They have
struck at me through the boy, 1t is as
plain as day"
what Cid the oyeraeer say?"
"Just that trey found Miss Malroy
gone from Belle Plain this morning,
and the boy with her"
This is like you, Price! How do
you know they haven't spent the night
at some nelghhor's?"
"The nearest neighbor is five or six