The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-06-06

was by the effort he had already put
for that day, the walk to Raleigh
made tremendous demands on him,
and 1t was midnight when he entered
the little town.
1t cannot be said that he was alto
gether surprised when he found their
cottage dark and apparently desert
ed. He had half expected this. En-
tering, and not stopping to secure a
candle, he CROPPED his way upstairs to
the room on the second floor which
he and the Judge shared.
"Price!" he called, but this gained
him no response, and he cursed SOFT
ly under his breath.
He hastily descended to the kitch-
en-, lighted candle, and stepped into
the adjoining room. On the table was
a neat pile of papers, and topping the
pile was the presidents letter. Be-
ing burdened by no false scruples,
and thinking 1t might afford some
clue to the judges whereabouts, Ma
haffy took it up and read it. Having
mastered its contents he instantly
glanced in the direction of the CITY
Tavern, but it was wrapped in dark
ness.
Price is drunk somewhere" was
his definite conclusion. But he'll be
at Boggs' the first thing in the morn
ing-most likely so far gone he can
hardly stand!"
The letter, with it's striking news,
made little or no impression on him
just then; 1t merely furnished the
clue he had sought. The judge was
off somewhere marketing his pros
poets.
After time Mahaffy went up
stairs, and, without removing his
clothes, threw himself on the bed. He
was worn down to the point of ex-
haustion, yet he could not sleep,
though the deep silence warned him
that day was not far off, What if
but he would not let the thought
shape itself in his mind. He had wit
messed the judges skill with the pis-
toll, and he had even a certain IRA
tional faith in that gentleman's des-
tiny. He prayed God that Fentress
might die quickly and decently with
the judges bullet through his brain.
Over and over in savage supplication
he muttered his prayer that Fentress
might die
Mahaffy watched for the coming OF
the dawn, but before the darkness
lifted he had risen from the bed and
gone downstairs, where he made him.
self a cup of wretched coffee. Then
he blew out his candle and watched
the gray light spread. He was i'm
patient now to be off, and fully an
hour before the sun, set out for
Boggs', tall, gaunt figure in the
shadowy uncertainty of that october
morning. He was the first to reach
the place Of meeting, but he had
scarcely entered the meadow when
Fentress rode up, attended by Tom
Ware. They dism ounted, and the
colonel lifted his hat. Mahaffy bare
ly acknowledged the salute; he was
in no mood for courtesies that meant
nothing. Ware was clearly of the
same mind
There was an awkward pause, then
Fentress and Ware spoke together in
a low tone. The planters speech was
broken and hoarse, and his heavy,
blood-shot eyes were the eyes of a
haunted man; this was all part OF
Fentress' scheme to face the world,
and Ware still believed that the fires
Hicks had kindled had served his des-
perate need.
When the first long shadows stole
out from the edge of the woods Fen
tress turned to Mahaffy, whose glance
was directed toward the distant cor
ner of the field, where he knew his
friend must first appear.
"Why are we waiting, sir?" he de-
handed, his tone cold and formal.
"Something has occurred to detain
Price," answered Mahaffy.
The colonel and Ware exchanged
looks. Again they spoke together,
while Mahaffy watched the road. Ten
minutes slipped by in this manner,
and once more F'entress addressed
Mahaffy.
do you know what could have de-
tainef him." he inquired, the ghost
of smile curling his thin lips.
II DON'T" said Mahaffy, and relapsed
into a moody and anxious silence. He
held dueling in very proper abhor-
renee, and only his feeling of intense
but never-declared loyalty to his
friend had brought him there.
Another Interval of waiting sue
ceeded.
Il have about reached the end OF
my patience; l shall wait just ten
minutes longer" said Fentress, and
drew out his watch.
Something has happened" began
Mahaffy.
II have kept my engagement; he
should have kept his" Fentress con-
tinued, addressing Ware. Il am sor-
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