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

now as Mr.. Cavendish.'
The judge started to his feet.
Bob Yancy?" he cried.
Eyes, sir, that's me- The judge
passed nimbly around the desk and
shook the Scratch Hitler warmly by
the hand. where's my nevvy, sir
what's all this about him and Miss
Betty" Yancy's soft drawl was sud
denly eager.
please God We'll recover him
soon!" said the Judge.
BY the window Darlington moved
impatiently. No harm could come to
the boy, but Betty--a shudder went
through him.
"They've stolen him. Yancy spoke
with conviction. 81 reckon they've
started back to Moth Carolina with
him-only that don't explain what's
come Of Miss Betty, does it," and he
dropped rather helplessly into chair.
Bob are just getting off a sick bed.
He's been powerful porely in conse-
quence of having his head laid open
and then being throwed into the Elk
river, where l fished him out" ex-
planned Cavendish, who still continued
to regard the judge with unmixed as
constituent, first cooking his shaggy
head on one side and then on the 9th
er, his bleached eyes narrowed to a
slit. Now and then he favored the
austere Mahaffy with fleeting glance.
He seemed intuitively to understand
the comradeship of their degradation.
"Mr. Cavendish fetched me here on
his raft We tied up to the sho' this
morning. 1t was there we met Mr.. Car
rington-1'd knowed him slightly back
yonder in Moth Carolina" continued
Yancy. "He said I'd find Hannibal
with you. I was counting heap on
seeing my nevvy."
Darlington, no longer able to con-
troll himself, swung about on his heel.
whats been done?" he asked, with
free repression. whats going to- be
done? Don't you know that every sec
ond is precious?"
81 am about to conclude my investi-
cations, Sir" said the judge with dig
nifty.
Darlington stepped to the door. Az
ter all, what was there to expect Of
these men? Whatever their interest.
it was plainly centered in the boy. He
passed out into the hall.
AS the door closed on him the
judge turned again to the Scratch
Hitler
"Mr. Yancy, Mr.. Mahaffy and I hold
your nephew in the tenderest regard,
he has been our constant companion
ever since you were lost to him. In
this crisis you may rely upon US; we
are committed to his recovery, no mat
ter what it involves" The judges
tone was one of unalterable resolution.
81 reckon you-all have been mighty
good and kind to him." said Yancy
huskily.
eve have endeavored to be, Mr..
Yancy-indeed had formed the reso-
luton legally to adopt him should you
come to claim him. should have Civ.
en- him my name, and made him my
heir His education has already be-
gun under my supervision" and the
Judge, remembering the high use to
which he had dedicated one of Peg
loe's trade labels, fairly glowed with
philanthropic fervor.
think of that" murmured Yancy
softly He was deeply moved. So was
Mr. Cavendish, who was gifted with a
wealth OF ready sympathy. He thrust
out hardened hand to the judge.
"Shake!' he said. you're heap
better than you look" A thin ripple
Of laughter escaped Mahaffy. but the
judge accepted Chills and Fevers'
proffered hand. He understood that
here was simple genuine soul.
Price, isn't it important for us to
know why Mr. Yancy thinks the boy
has been taken back to North Caro-
lina?" said Mahaffy.
"Just what kin is Hannibal to you.
Mr. Yancy?" asked the judge resum-
ing his seat.
Strictly speaking, he amt none.
That he come to live with me is all
owing to Mr.. Crenshaw, who's a good
man when left to himself, but he's got
wife, so body may say he never
is left to himself" began Yancy; and
then briefly he told the story of the
woman and the child much as he told
lit to Baden at the Baroney the day
of General Quintard's funeral.
The judge, his back to the light and
his face in the shadow, rested his left
elbow on the desk and with his chin
sunk in his palm, followed the Scratch
Killers narrative with the closest at