The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-01-24

up tlle jug anu inverted II. "A stray
drop or so fell languidly into his glass.
TRY squeezing it, Price," said Ma
haffy.
The judge shook the jug, it gave
forth an empty sound, and he sighed
again; he attempted to peer into it,
closing one watery eye as he titled it
toward the light.
Il wonder no Yankee has ever
thought to invent a jug with glass
bottom" he observed.
What for?" asked Mahaffy.
You astonish me, Solomon" es,
claimed the judge. Coming as you d,
from that section which invented the
wooden nutmeg, and an eight-day
clock that has been known to run as
much as four or five hours at a
stretch. | am aware the Yankees are
an ingenious people; l wonder none
OF EN- ever thought of a jug with a
glass bottom, so that when a body
holds it up to the light he can see at
glance whether it is empty or not
DO you reckon Pegloe has sufficient
confidence to fill the jug again for u.s.
But Mr.. Mahatfy's expression indi
Gated no great confidence in Mr.. Peg
loe's confidence.
Credit" began the Judge, sis pro
verbally shy; still it may sometimes
be increased, like the muscles of the
body and the mental faculties, by
judcious use. I've always regarded
Pegloe's as a cheap mind. l hope
have done him an injustice" He put
on his hat and tucking the jug I'M
der his arm went from the house.
Ten or fifteen minutes elapsed. Ma.
hafTy considered this good sign; it
didn't take long to say no, he reflect
ed. Another ten or fifteen elapsed
Mahaffy lost heart Then there came
hasty step beyond the door, it was
thrown violently open, and the judge
precipitated himself into the room. A
glance showed Mahaffy that he was
laboring under intense excitement.
Solomon, l bring shocking news.
God knows what the next few hours
may reveal" cried the Judge, hopping
his brow. Miss Malroy has disap.
peared from Belle Plain and Hannibal
has gone with her!"
Where have they gomez" asked Ma
haffy, and his long jaw dropped.
Would to God I had an answer
ready for that question, Solomon" an
swered the Judge, with a melancholy
shake OF the head. He gazed down on
his friend with an air of large toler-
ance. 81 am going to Belle Plain, but
you are too drunk. Sleep it off, Solo
mon, and join me when your brain Is
clear and your legs steady"
Mahaffy jerked out an oath, and lift
ing himself off his chair, stood erect.
He snatched up his hat.
Stuff your pistols into your pockets,
and come on, Price," he said, and
stalked toward the door,
He fitted up the street, and the
Judge pulled and painted in his wake.
They gained the edge OF the village
without speech.
There is mystery and rascality
here!" said the Judge.
"What do you know, Price, and
where did you hear this?" Mahaffy
shot the question back over his shout.
der
"At Pegloe's; the Belle Plain over
seer had just fetched the news into
town."
Again they were silent. all their en-
ergies being absorbed by the physical
exertion they were making. The road
danced before their burning eyes. Ii
seemed to be uncoiling itself serpent
wise with hideous undulations. Mr..
Mahaffy was conscious that the judge,
of whom he caught blurred vision
now at his right side, now at his left,
vas Iaboring painfully in the heat and
dust, the breath whistling from be-
tween his parched lips.
you're just ripe for apopeXy,
Price," he snarled, moderating his
pace.
eco on" said the judge, with stolid
resolution.
Two miles out Of the village they
came to a roadside spring; here they
paused for an instant. Mahaffy
scooped up handfuls OF the clear wa
ter and sucked it down greedily. The
Judge dropped on his stomach and
buried his face in the tiny pool, gulp-
ing up great thirsty swallows. After
a long breathless instant he stood
erect, with drops of moisture clingiEg
to his nose and eyebrows. Mahaffy
was a dozen PAGES down the road, hur.
rying forward again with relentless
vigor. The judge shuffled after him.
The tracks they left in the dust cross
tln h,,t