The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-01-31

alOOf, he was busy with his thoughts
that spanned the waste of years
years that seemed to glide before him
in review, each bitter with it's hideous
memories of shame and defeat. Then
from the smoke of these lost battles
emerged the lonely figure of the child
as he had seen him that June night
His ponderous arm stiffened where it
rested on the desk, he Strengthened
up in his chair and his face assumed
its customary expression of battered
dignity, while a smile at once wistful
and tender lowered about his lips.
"One other question:" he said. "Un-
til this man Murrell appeared you had
no trouble with Bladen? He was con-
tent that you should keep the child
your right to Hannibal was never chal-
lenged?'
Never, sir. All my troubles began
about that time"
"Murrell belongs in these parts"
said the judge.
'I'd admire TO- to meet him." said
Yancy quietly.
The judge grinned.
81 place my professional services at
your disposal" he said. yours is a
clear case of felonious assault"
mo, it amt, sir-I look at it this
always; it's clear case of my giving
him the damndest sort of a body beat
ing!"
Sir" said the judge, "I'll hold your
hat while you are about it,"
Hicks had taken his time in re-
spending to the judges summons, but
now his step sounded in the hall and
throwing open the door he entered the
room. Whether consciously or not he
had acquired something of that surly
manner which was charac-
teristic of his employer. A curt nod
of the head was his only greeting.
"Will you sit down." asked the
judge. Hicks signified by another
of the head that he would
not. This is a very dreadful bust
ness" began the judge softly.
Amt it," agreed Hicks. what you
got to say to me-" he added petulant
ly.
Have you started to drag the
bayou" asked the judge. Hicks nod
ned. "That was your idea?" suggested
the Judge.
mo, it WANT objected Hicks
quickly. But said she had been act
ing like she was plumb distracted ever
since Charley Norton got shot"
"How?" inquired the judge, arching
his eyebrows. Hicks was plainly dis
turbed by the question.
Sort of out of her head. Mr.. Ware
seen it, too"
HE spoke OF it?'
Eyes, sir; him and me discussed it
together
The judge regarded Hicks long and
intently and in silence. His magnifi-
cent mind was at work. If Betty had
been distraught he had not observed
any sign of it the previous day. If
Ware were better Informed as to her
true mental state why had he chosen
this time to go to Memphis?
81 suppose Mr. Ware asked you to
keep an eve on Miss Malroy while he
was away from home?" said the Judge.
Hicks, suspicious of the drift of his
made no answer. II sup
pose you told the house servants to
keep her under observation" contin
ued the judge.
81 don't talk to no niggers," replied
Hicks, except to give 'em my or
ders."
"Well, did you give them that or
der?"
mo, | didn't"
The sudden and hurried entrance of
big Steve brought the judges eXami-
nation of Mr. Hicks to standstill.
"Mas'r, you know dat ar coachman
big fellow dat took you
into town las evenin'? l jes' been
down at Shanty Hill, whar Milly, his
wife, is carryin' on something scand.
alous cause George amt never come
home!" Steve was laboring under ill.,
tense excitement, but he ignored the
presence of the overseer and ad-
dressed himself to Slocum Price.
"Well. what of that" cried Hicks
quickly.
''Thar warn't no George, mind you
Mas'r, but dar was his team in d..
stable this mornin' and loOkin' mighty
nigh done up with hard driving"
"Yes," interrupted Hicks, uneasily;
put a pair of lines in nigger's hand.,
and he'll run any team off it's legs!"
AN the kerriage all scratched up
from bein' thrashed through bushes,'
added Steve.