The Lamar register., 1912-06-19

ton, and Betty EraSped something OF
the hope and faith which never quite
died out In Slocum Prices indomita
BILE breast.
But you always have enough to
eat, dear?" she questioned anxiously
Hannibal promptly treasured her on
this point. You wouldn't let me
think anything that was not true, Han
nibal-yOu are quite sure you have
never been hungry"
Never. Miss Betty; honest!"
Betty gave q sigh of relief. She
had been reproaching herself for her
neglect of the child; she had meant
to do SO much for him and had done
nothing! Now 1t was too late for her
personally to interest herself in his
behalf. yet before she left for the east
she would provide for him. II she
had felt 1t was possible to trust the
Judge she would have made him her
agent. but even In his best aspect he
seemed a dubious dependence. Tom,
cor quite inherent reasons. was equal
ly out OF the question. She thought
Of MIR. Mahaffy.
What kind OF a man ia Mr.. Ma
hairy, Hannibal?"
Hes an awful nice man. Miss Bet
ty. only he never lets on: a bodys
got to find 1t out for his own self
he amt like the Judge"
Does he-drink. too. Hannibai?"
questioned Betty.
'Oh. yes; when he can get the
ticker, he does" 1t was evident that
Hannibal was cheerfully tolerant OF
this weakness on the part OF the
austere MahaRy. BY this time Betty
wac ready to weep over the child.
with his knowledge of shabby vice.
and his fresh young faith in those old
tetterdemalions.
But. no matter what they do. they
are very. very kind to your" she con-
tinued tremulously.
Yes. ma'am-why, Miss Betty.
they're lovely msai"
And do you ever hear the things
spoken Of you learned about At Mrs.
Ferris Sunday-sohoolf'
when the Judge 10 drunk he talks
heap about 'sn- It's beautiful to
hear him then; you'd love 1t. Miss
Betty" and Hann1hal smiled up sweet
ly into her faoA
Does he have you 20 to Sunday
school In RaleisAr
The boy shook his head.
II amt got 10 clothes that's fitten
to wear. nor 10 pennies to give. but
the Judge. he lows that as soon as he
can make . raise got to go. and he's
learning me my lettsrs-but we amt
q book. Miss Betty. reckon IT'D
stump you some to guess how he's
fixed It for me 70 lsarn?"
Hes drawn ~ letters for you. is
that the wayf. In spite OF herself.
Betty was experiencing a certain re-
vulsion Of feeling where the Judge and
MahafYy were concerned. They were
doubtless bad saoush. but they could
have been WorsA
NO. ma'am; ~ done soaked the
label on one a Mr.. Pegl0e's whisky
bottles and pasted II on the wall just
as high N my chin, SOS l can see 1t
good, and he's learning me thst-a-
way! Maybe you've seen the kind OF
bottle l msan-Pegioe's Mississippi
Pilot; Pure Corn Whisky" But Han
nibal's bright little face fell. He was
quiCh " 30 49, boo oouSatiouoA y o
TEN devised By The Judge did not i'm
press Betty ct an favorsbiy. She drew
him into her arms.
You shall have my books-the
hooks learned 70 read out OF when ]
vas a little girl. Hannibal"
Il like learning from the label pref.
ty WE'LL" said Hannibal loyalty.
But you'u me- the books better.
dear. when yoa 80 them. know just
where they are. for l happened on
them on . sha1l IN the library only
the other day"
After they haA found and examined
the books and Hannibal had gruding.
ly admitted that they might possess
certain points a advantage over the
label. he and Be<y went out for a
walk. It was n0W late afternoon and
the sun was stnk1ng behind the wall
of the forest tAAe rose along the AR.
kansas coast Their steps had led
them to The tsrrace-where they
stood looking u into the west. 1t
was here that Dstty had said good-b by
to Bruce CaETiAgton-it might have
been months ago. and 1t was only
days. She thought OF Charley
Charley, with his youth and hope and
high courage-uAwittingly enough she
had led him O b his death! A sol
rose in her tAEoat