The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-06

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and spotless linen. For moment the
judge seemed to struggle with doubt,
then his face went white and the book
slipped from his fingers to the win
dow ledge.
The stranger, his business concIud-
ed. swung about on his heel and
quilted the office. Mr.. Saul, bending
above his desk, was making an entry
in one of his ledgers. The judge shut
fed to his side.
Who was that man?" he asked
thickly, resting a shaking hand on
the clerks arm.
"That!-Oh, that was Colonel Fen
tress was just telling you about"
Has he always lived hereT'
mo; he came into the county about
ten years ago. and bought a place
called The Oaks"
HAS he-a family?" The judge ap-
peared to be having difficulty with
his speech.
mot that anybody knows Of. Some
say he's a widower, others again say
he's an old bachelor; but he doct
say nothing. The colonels got his
friends, to be sure, but he don't mix
much with the real quality. One OF
his particular intimates is a gentle
man by the name of Murrel."
The judge nodded.
''I've met him." he said briefly.
Acting on a sudden impulse, the
judge muttered something about re-
turning later, and hastily quilted the
office.
In the hall the judges steps dragged
and his head was bowed. He was
busy with his memories. Then pas
sion shook him.
Damn him-may God-for ever
damn him!" he cried under his
breath, in fierce whisper.
They finished supper, the dishes
we're cleared away and the candles
lighted, when the judge produced a
mysterious leather-covered case. This
he opened, and Mahaffy and Hannibal
saw that 1t held a handsome pair OF
dueling pistols.
Where did you get 'em, judge?-
Oh, amt they beautiful" cried Han
nibal, circling about the table in his
excitement.
MY dear lad, they were purchased
only a few hours ago." said the judge
quietly, as he began to load them.
.
Norton had ridden down to Belle
Plain ostensibly to view certain OF
those improvements that went so far
toward embittering Tom Wares ex-
istenee.
do you think Belle Plain is ever
going to look as it did, Charley?-as
we remember it when we were chill
dren?" asked Betty.
why of course, it is, dear, you are
doing wonders!"
Ware stalked toward them. Hav-
ing dined with Betty as recently as
the day before. he contented himself
with a nod in her direction. His
greeting to Norton was a more am
bilious undertaking.
Il understand you've a new over
seer?"
Then you understand wrong-Car-
rington's my guest" said Norton.
He's talking of putting in a crop for
himself next season, so he's willing
to help me make mine"
Going to turn farmer, is he?"
asked Ware.
so he says" Norton was extreme
ly disappointed when the planter
manifested a disposition to play the
host and returned to the house with
them, where his presence was such
a hardship that Norton shortly took
his leave.
Issuing from the lane he turned his
face in the direction of home. He
was within two miles of Thicket Point
when, passing a turn in the road, he
found himself confronted by three
men. One of them seized his horse
by the bit. Norton had not even
riding-whip.
Nov, what do you wish to say to
me?" he asked
I'VE want your word that you'll
keep away from Belle Plain"
We'll, you won't get it," respond
ed Norton.
In the same instant one of the men
raised his fist and struck the young
planter in the back of the neck
"You curl" cried Norton, as he
wheeled on him.
Damn him-let him have it,"
1t was mid-afternoon of the day fol-
lowing before Betty heard OF the at
tack on Norton. She ordered her
horse saddled and was soon out on
the river road with a groom in her
wake. Betty never drew rein until
she reached Thicket Point. AS she
galloped into the yard Bruce Caring
ton came from the house.
How is Mr.. Norton?" she asked,
extending her hand.
The doctor says he'll be up and
about inside of a week. II you'll wait
Iii tell him you are here"
Darlington passed on into the
AOAbC- AAC CAlCAC0 lAO AOOu1 nACAC
Norton lay.
Miss Malroy is here" he said.
'Betty?-bless her dear heart!"
cried Charley weakly. Just toss my
clothes into the closet and draw up
chair. There-thank you,
Bruce-let her come along in now
And as Darlington quilted the room,
Norton drew himself up on the pill
lows and faced the door. This is
worth several beatings, Betty" he
exclaimed as she appeared.
He bent to kiss the hand she gave
him, but groaned with the exertion.
Then he looked up into her face and
saw her eyes swimming with tears.
"What-tears?" and he was much
ITS a perfect outraged" Betty
paused irresolutely. Charley"
Eyes, dear"
Cant you be happy without me?"
mo"
But you don't try to bel"
mo use In my making any such
foolish effort, I'd be doomed to fail
ure."