The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-07-20
CHAPTER xvll-tcontinued.)


81 have never SO regarded it, Solo
mon," said the Judge mildly. Il have
read a different meaning in the beef
and -four and potatoes she's sent here.
I expect II the truth could be known
to us she is wondering in the midst
of her grief why haven't called. but
she'll appreciate the considerate del
fcacy of q gentleman. wish 1t were
possible to get cut flowers in this
cussed wilderness!"
The Judge had been occupied with
q simple but ingenious toilet He
had trimmed the frayed skirts OF his
coat; then, by turning his cuffs in
side out and upside down a fresh sur
face made its first public appearance.
Next his shoes had engaged his at
tention. They might have well dis
-couraged less resolute and resource
full character, but with the contents
of his ink-well he artfuliy colored his
white yarn socks where they showed
through the riffs In the leather. This
the Judge did gaily, now humming
snatch of song. now listening civilly
to Mahaffy, now replying with undis-
turbed cheerfulness. Last OF all he
.clapped his dingy beaver on his head.
giving 1t an indescribabiy jaunty
slant. and stepped to the door.
well, wish me luck. Solomon, I'm
-of-come. Hannibal" he said.
At heart be cherished small hope OF
seeing Betty, advantageous a. he felt
an interview might prove. However.
"a. reaching Belle Plain. he and Han
nibal were shown into the cool parlor
by little Steve. 1t was more years
than the Judge cared to. remember |
STAGE he had put his foot inside such
u house, but with true grandeur OF
soul he rose to the occasion; q
sublimated dignity shone from every
battered feature, while he hxed little
Steve with 30 fierce glance that the
grin froze on his lips.
you are to say that Judge Slocum
Price presents his compliments and
condolences to Miss Malroy-have
you got that straight, you pinch OF
soot?" he concluded affAbly. Little |
Steve. impressed alike by the judges
air Of condescension and his easy
flow of words. signified that he had. |
You may also say that Judge Prices |
ward, young Master Hazard, presents |
his compliments and condolences"
What more the judge might have said |
was interrupted by tne entrance of |
Betty, herself.
MY dear young lady" the Judge |
bowed. then he advanced toward her |
with the solemnity or carriage and |
countenance he deemed suitable to
the occasion, and her extended hand
was enguifed between his two plump /
palms. He rolled his eyes heaven
ward. IT'S the Lords to deal with Us
as his own inscrutable wisdom die
tates." he murmured with pious rssig-
nation. I'VE are all poorer, ma'am,
that he has died-just as we were
richer while he ived!" The rich
Of the judges speech fell
generously on the silence. and that
look OF horror which had never quite
left Bstty's eyes since they saw
Norton fall. rose out of their
clear depths again. The Judge. In
stantly stricken with sense OF the
OF his words. doubled on
his spiritual tracks. I'm . round
about way. ma'am, we're bound to be-
lieve In the omnipresence OF Provi-
dence-we must think it-thcugh a
body might be disposed to hold that
west Tennessee had got out Of tho
line of divine supervision recently.
Let me lead you to chair. ma'am!"
Hannibal had slipped to Betty's
side and placed his hand in hers. The
Judge regarded the pair with great
hn0nvolanNs n ~Y1noaaan~