Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-06-20
SAINT Ndrg's Beacon.
JOB PRINTING
CRY PRICE s
The Judge grinneo.

4
ways; It's clear case OF my giving
him the damndest sort of body beat.
ingl"
"sir," said the Judge, am hold your
hat while you are about i'll"
Hicks had taken his time in re-
spending to the judges summons, but
now his step BOUNDED In the hall and
throwing open the door he entered
the room. Whether consciously or
not he had acquired something OF that
surly. forbidding manner which was
characteristic Of his employer. A curt
nod of the head was his only greet.
ing. !,
win you SIT DOWN" asked the
Judge. Hicks signihed by another
movement of the head that he would
not. This is a very dreadful bust.
nessI" began the Judge softly.
Amt it?" agreed Hicks. what
you got to say to me?" he added
petulantly.
Have You started to drag the
bayou" asked the Judge Hicks
nodded. THAT was your idea?' sug-
gested the Judge.
No, IT want" objected Hicks
quickly. "But I said she had been
actin like she was plumb distracted
ever since Charley Norton got shot"
How" inquired the Judge. archtng
his eyebrows. Hicks was plainly dis
turbed by the question.
Sort OF out Of her head. Mr. Ware
seen it, too"
lie spoke OF tn"
'Yes, sir; him and me discussed it
together"
The Judge regarded Hicks long and
intenuy and in silence. His magnih-
cent mind was at work. n Betty had
been distraught be had not observed
any sign OF It the previous day. IE
Ware We're better informed as to her
true mcntal state why had he chosen
this time to go 70 Memphis?
II suppose Mr.. Ware asked you TO
keep an eye on Miss MaIroy while hs
WAS away from homer said the Judge.
Hicks. suspicious OF the drift Of his
questioning, made no answer Il sup
pose you told the house servants TO
keep her under observation7' contin-
ued the judge.
Il don't talk to no niggers." replied
Hicks, except to give EN- my or
ders"
Well did you give them that or
der?"
mo. I didn't"
The sudden and hurried entrance on
big Steve brought the Judges exam
nation OF Mr.. Hicks to standstill.
Nagr sou know dat AR coachman
"ocr fhe rs blal fellow dat took
you into Town las evenin'? l jes' been
down &C oAHuts 1871 9adr ailly. his
wife. Is carryin' on something scan.
dalous cause George amt never coma
home!" Steve was lahoring under In,
tense excitement, bat ne ignored the
presence Of the oycrsoer and ad.
dressed himself to 5locum Price.
We'll. what OF that?" cried Hicks
quickly.
Thar warnt no George, mind you.
Mas'r. but dar wss bis team in de-
stable this morning and looSln mighty
nigh done up with hard driving"
Yes, interrupted Hicks uneasily;
put a pair Of lines in a nigger's
hands and hen run any team OH It's
legs!"
An the heritage All scratched up
from bein' thrashed through the
bushes" added Steve.
There's niger for you'll" said
-
the field. dressed him IKE he was a
gentleman and pampered him up, and
now first chance he gets he runs ONT"
All" said the Judge softly. Then
you knew this?"
"Of course | knew-wan't It my
business to know? / reckon he was
! of skylarking and when he'd seen
the mess he'd made, the tritling fool
took to the woods Well, ne catches
| It when lay hands on himi"
do you know when and under
what circumstances the team was
stabbed. Mr. Hieks?" inquired the
| Judge.
NO, | don't, but ! reckon 1t must
have been long after dark said Hicks
unwIllingly Il seen to the feeding
1ust after sundown like l always do,
then went to supper" Hicks vouch-
safed to explain
And no one saw or heard the team
drive in?'
Not as | know Of" said Hicks,
"Mas'r Caingtons done gone OFF to
| get a pack OF dawgs-he lows hits
might important to find what's come
OF George said steve.
Hicks started violently at this piece
of news.
Il reckon he'll have to travel a
right smart distance to find a pack OF
dogs" he muttered Il don't know OF
none this side of Colonel Bates down
below Girard."
The Judge was lost in thought He
permitted an interval of silence to
elapse in which Hicks glance slid
round in a furtive circle.
when did Mr.. Ware set out for
Memphis" asked the judge at length.
early yesterday He goes there
pretty often on business"
you talked With Mr. Ware before
he left?' Hicks shook his head. Did
he speak of Miss Malroy?" Hicks
shook his head. "Did you see her dur
! ing the afternoon"
'No-maybe you think these mig
gers amt enough to keep a man stir