Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-06-13
fcHAprER xvII-(contInued.)

81 have never so regarded 1t, Solo
mon," said the judge mildly. Il have
read a different meaning in the beef
and -four and potatoes she's sent here.
| expect II the truth could be known
to us she Is wondering in the midst
OF her grief why haven't called, but
she'll appreciate the considerate del
icacy OF a gentleman. wish 1t were
possible to get cut flowers In this
cussed wilderness!"
The Judge had been occupied with
a simple but ingenious toilet. He
had trimmed the frayed skirts OF his
coat; then, by turning his cuffs in
side out and upside down fresh sur
face made it's first public appearance.
Next his shoes had engaged his at
tention. They might have well dis
couraged less resolute and resource
full character, but with the contents
of his ink-well he artfully colored his
white yarn socks where they showed
through the riffs in the leather. This
the Judge did gaily, now hummtng a
snatch OF song, now listening civilly
to Mahaffy, now replying with undis-
turbed cheerfulness. Last OF all he
clapped his dingy beaver on his head,
giving 1t an indescribably jaunty
slant. and stepped to the door.
well, wish me luck, Solomon, I'm
off-come, Hannibal" he said.
At heart he cherished small hope OF
seeing Betty, advantageous as he felt
an interview might prove. However,
on reaching Belle Plain, he and Han
nibal were shown into the cool parlor
by little Steve. 1t was more years
than the Judge cared to remember
since he had put his foot inside such
house, but with true grandeur OF
soul he rose to the occasion; q
sublimated dignity shone from every
battered feature, while he fixed little
Steve with so fierce glance that the
grin froze on his lips.
You are to say that Judge Slocum
Price presents his compliments and
condolences to Miss Malroy-have
you got that straight, you pinch OF
SCOTT" he concluded affably. Little
Steve, impressed alike by the judges
air OF condescension and his easy
flow of words, slgnified that he had
You may also say that Judge Prices
ward, young Master Hazard, presents
his compliments and condolences
What more the judge might have said
was interrupted by che entrance oil
Betty, herself.
MY dear young lady" the judge
bowed, then he advanced toward hel
with the solemnity or carriage anC
countenance he deemed suitable tC
the occasion, and her extended hanC
was engulfed between his two plum
palms. He rolled his eyes heaven
ward. IT'S the Lords to deal with III
as his own inscrutable wisdom die
tates," he murmured with pious resig
nation. I'VE are all poorer, ma am
that he has died-just as we wer,
richer while he lived!" The ricl
cadence of the judges speech fel
generously on the silence, and tina
look of horror which had never quit,
left Betty's eyes since they saw
Charley Norton fall, rose out OF thei
clear depths again. The judge, in
stantly stricken with sense OF tn,
inadequacy OF his words, doubled Of
his spiritual tracks. IN a round
about way, ma'am, we're bound to be
lieve In the omnipresence OF Prov
dence-we must think Though
body might be disposed to hold tina
west Tennessee had got out of tn
line of divine supervision recently
Let me lead you to a chair, ma'am!
Hannibal had slipped to Betty
side and placed his hand In hers. Tn
judge regarded the pair with grea
banevolence Of expression