The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-25

DeTedVeO State-SEe has sustained no
ordinary loss, and In no ordinary
fashion. She has been the center OF
a striking and profoundly moving
tragedy. | would give good deal to
know If my late client left a will"
You might ask her." said Mahafry
cynically Nothing like going to
Headquarters for the news"
Solomon, Solomon, give me credit
for common sense-go further. and
give me credit for common decencyI
Don't let us forget tb9t ever since we
"%me hero she has manifested q
charmingly hospitable spirit where we
are cOncerne1,"
Wouldn't charity hit nearer the
mark, Price,"
4 nave never so regarded il, Solo
mon," said the Judge mildly. Il have
read different meaning in the beef
and flour and potatoes she's sent here.
l expect If 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
icacy of a gentleman. l wish il were
possible to get cut flowers in this
cussed wilderness!"
The judge had been occupied with
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
lace made Its first public appearance.
Next his shoes had engaged his at
tention. They might have well dis-x
couraged less resolute and resource
ful 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 a
snatch or song, now listening civilIy
TO Mahaffy, now replying with undis-1 4
turbed cheerfulness. Last of all he
clapped his dingy beaver on his head.
giving 1t an indescribably jaunty
slant, and stepped to the door.
We'll, wish me luck, Solomon. I'm
on-come. Hannibal" he said.
At heart he cherished small hope OF
seeing Betty, advantageous as he felt
an interview might prove. However,
on reaching Belle Plain. he and Ham
nibal were shown into the cool parlor
by little Steve. 1t was more years
than the judge cared to remember
since he had put his foot inside such.
a house. but with true grandeur OF
soul he rose to the occasion: On
sublimated dignity shone from every
battered feature, while he fixed little
Steve with SO fierce a glance that the
grin froze on his lips.
You are to say that Judge Slocuml
Price presents his compliments and
condolences to MSS Malroy-have)
you got that straight, you pinch g.
soot?" he concluded affably. Little
Steve. impressed alike by the judges
air of condescension and his easy|
now OF words, signified that he hadI
You may also say that Judge Price's
ward, young Master Hazard, presents
his compliments and condolences"
What more the Judge might have saiol
was interrupted by che 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 engulfed between his two plump
palms. He rolled his eyes heaven.
ward. Its the Lords to deal with us
as his own inscrutable wisdom die
tates," he murmured with pious resig.
nation. I'VE are all poorer, ma'am,
that he has died-Just as We were
richer while he lived!" The rich1
cadence OF the judges speech fell
sonorously on the silence, and that
look OF horror which had never quite
lett Betty's eyes since they saw
Charley Norton fall, rose out OF their
clear depths again. The Judge, in.
stantly stricken with a sense of the
inadeQuacy Of his words, doubled on
his spiritual tracks. In round.
about way. ma'am, we're bound to be-
heve In the omnipresence of Provi.
dence-we must think it-though q
body might DO disposed to hold that
west Tennessee had got out OF the
line of divine supervision recently.
Let me lead you to a chair. maam!"
Hannibal had slipped to Betty's
side and placed his hand In hers. The
judge regarded the pair with great
benevolence of expression.
He would come. and I hadn't the
heart to forbid 1t. II / can be OF any
service to you. ma'am either In the