The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-20
CHAPTER XIV.
Colonel Fentress.


The Judge had not forgotten his
ghost, the ghost he had seen in Mr..
SauPs Office that day he went to the
court house on business for Charley
Norton. Working or principal
ly the latter-drunk or sober-prin-
cipally the former-the ghost, other
wise Colonel Fentress, had preserved
q place In his thoughts, and now as
be moved stolidly up the drive toward
Fentress' big white house on the hill
with Mahafy, Cavendish and Yancy
trailing in his wake, memories OF what
had once been living and vital crowd
ed in upon him. Some sense OF the
wreck that Uttered the long years, and
the shame Of the open shame that had
swept away pride and self-respect,
came back to him out OF the past.
He only paused when he stood on
the portico before Fentress' open
door. He glanced about him at the
wide fields, bounded by the distant
timber lands that hid gloomy bottoms,
at the great log barns in the hollow to
his right; at the huddle Of white
washed cabins beyond; then with his
big fist he reached in and pounded on
the door. The blows echoed loudly
through the silent house, and an in
slant later Fentress' tall, spare figure
was seen advancing from the far end
of the hall.
''Who is it?" he asked.
O0IonaI EoufracC -
said the judge.
Judge Price," uncertainty, and still
advancing.
II had fiattered myself that you
must have heard Of me-" said the
Judge.
Il think have" said Fentress,
pausing now.
He thinks he hast" muttered the
Judge under his breath.
"Win you come int" it was more a
question than an invitation.
IF you are at liberty" The colonel
bowed. ALLOW me-" the judge con-
tinued. Colonel Fentress-Mr. Ma
hairy, Mr.. Yancy and Mr.. Cavendish."
Again the colonel bowed.
"WiIl you step into the hbrary?"
VERY good" and the judge followed
the colonel briskly down the ball.
When they entered the library Fen
tress turned and took stock Of his
guests. Mahaffy he had seen before;
Yancy and Cavendish were OF course
strangers to him. but their appear
ance explained them; last Of all his
glance shifted to the judge. He had
heard something of those activities by
means OF which Slocum Price had
striven to distinguish himself, and he
had certain curiosity respecting the
man. II was Immediately satisfied
The fudge had reached a degree OF
shabbiness seldom equaled. and but
for his mellow, effuIgent personality
might well have passed for a common
vagabond; and II his dress advertised
the state of his finances, his face ex
planned his habits. No misconception
was possible about either.
May I offer you a glass OF liQuor?'
asked Fentress, breaking the silence
He stepped TO the walnut comfortable
where there was a decanter and
glasses. BY a gesture the Judge de
clined the invitation. Whereat the
colonel looked surprised, but not Sc
surprised as Mahafiy. There was an
other silence.
Il don't think We ever met beforeY'
observed Fentress. There was some
thing in the fixed stare his visitor wa
bending upon him that he found dis
quieting. just why. be could not hav'
told.
But that fixed stare Of the judge
continued. No. the man had no
changed-he had grown older certain
". but age had not come ungraceful
y: he became the glossy broadclotl
ana spotiess linen be wore. Here wa
q man who could command the 500
things Of life. using them with rs
Honal temperance. The room itsel
was IN harmony with MS character