The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-10-18
CHAPTER xI-(Continued).


hoarse. inarticulate murmur stole
from between his twitching lips.
What do you know OF the Barony.
Hannibal?"
Il lived at the Barony once. until
Uncle Bob took me to Scratch Hill
to be with him." said Hannibal.
"You-you lived at the BaronyY
repeated the Judge, and dull wonder
struck through his tone. How long
ago-when?" he continued.
Il don't know how long 1t were,
but until Uncle Bob carried me away
after the old general died"
The Judge slipped hand under the
child's chin and tilted his face back
so that he might look into 1t. For a
long moment he studied closely those
small features, then with shake or
the head he handed the rifle to Car
rington, and without a word strode
forward Darlington had been regard
Ing Hannibal with a quickened inter
est"
"Hello!" he said, as the Judge moved
off. You're the boy saw at Scratch
Hill!"
Hannibal gave him frightened
glance, and edged to Mr.. Mahafrys
side, but did not answer.
The Judge plodded forward. his
shoulders dropped, and his head
bowed For once silence had fixed
It's seal upon his lips, no inspiring
speech fell from them. He had been
p suddenly swept back into past he
more to forget. and his memories
shaped themselves fantastically. Sure
ly IL ever man had quilted the world
that knew him, he was that man! He
had died and yet he lived-lived hor-
ribly, without soul or heart, the empty
shell of man.
A turn in the road brought them
within sight of Boggs' race-track, a
wide, level meadow. The Judge
paused irresolutely, and turned his
bleared face ON his friend
Wen stop here, Solomon" he said
rather wearily, for the spirit OF boast
and Jest was quite gone out OF him.
lie glanced toward Darlington. Are
you resident OF these parts. sir?" he
asked
rive been in Raleigh three days al
together" answered Darlington, and
they continued on across the meadow
In silence.
Here were men from the smah
clearings In komespun and butternut
or fringed hunting shirts. with their
women folk trailing after them. Here.
| too, I'm lesser numbers, were the lords
of the soil, the men who counted their
acres by the thousand and their
slaves by the score. There was the
flutter OF skirts among the moving
| groups, the nodding OF gay parasols
that shaded fresh young faces. while
! occasionally a comfortable family car
riage with some planters wife or
] daughter rolled silently over the turf
The judges dull eye kindled. the
haggard lines that streaked his face
erased themselves. This was life. opu
lent and full. These swift-rolling car
| riages with their handsome women
these well-dressed men on foot, and
! splendidly mounted, all did their part
toward lifting him out OF his gloom.
A cry from Hannibal drew his at
tention. Turning. he was In time tc
see the boy bound away. An instant
later. to his astonishment. he saw q
young girl who was seated with tive
men in an open carriage, spring to the
ground, and dropping to her knees
put her arms about the tattered iittl,
figure.
why. Hannibal" cried Betty Nal
roy.
Miss Betty Miss Betty" anC
Hannibal buried his head on he
shoulder.
What is II, Hannibal: what Is II
dear7"
Nothing, only I'm so glad to fine
youl"
II am glad TO see you. tool" sai,
Betty, az she wiped HIS tears away
! When did you get here, deary"