The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-05-22

hairy. as unfit as the Judge himself.
and for the same reason, but sour and
bitter with the world, believing al
ways in the possibility OF some mir
acle of regeneration
At the judges elbow Mr.. Mahany
changed his position with nervous
suddenness. Then he folded his long
arms.
You asked II there was any news,
Price; while we were waiting for the
boat raft tied up to the bank; tie
fellow aboard of it had man he'd
fished up out of the river, man
who'd been pretty well cut to pieces.
who was he?" asked the judge.
Nobody knew. and he wasn't con-
scious. shouldn't be surprised If he
never opens his lips again. When
the doctor had looked to his cuts. the
fellow on the raft cast on and went
on down the Elk"
1t occurred to the judge that he
himself had news to impart. He must
account for the boys presence.
while you've been taking your
whiff of life down at the steamboat
landing, Mahaffy, I've been expert
encing most extraordinary coinci-
dence. When l went to the war OF
'12. Hazard accompanied me as my
orderly. His grandson is back of that
curtain now-asleep-in my bed!"
Mahaffy put down his glass.
You were like this once BEFORE"
he said darkly. But at that instant
the shuck tick ratified noisily at some
movement of the sleeping boy. Ma
hairy quilted his chair. and crossing
the room. drew the quilt aside. A
glance sufiiced to assure him that in
part, at least, the Judge spoke the
truth.
There was Q hoof-beat on the road
Il came nearer and nearer. and pres
emily sounded Just beyond the door
Then 1t ceased. and voice said:
"Hullo. there!" The Judge scram
candle. staggered into the yard. Ma
haffy followed him.
Whats wanted?" asked the Judge
holding his candle aloft. The light
showed q tall fellow mounted on
handsome bay horse. 1t was Murrell
Have either OF you gentlemen seer
. boy go through here today?" Muir
rell glanced from one to the other
Mr.. Mahaify's thin lips twisted them
selves into . sarcastic smile. He
turned to the Judge. who spoke VI
quickly.
Did he carry bundle and rifie?
he asked. Murrell gave eager assent
WELL" said the Judge. he stopped
here along about four O'Clock. and
asked his way to the nearest river
landing"
HANNIBAL" the judges voice and
manner were rather stern. "Hannt
bal, a man rode by here last night on
q big bay horse. He said he was
looking for . boy about ten years old
"A boy with a bundle and rifle
There was an awful pause. Who was
that man. Hannibal?"
''It were Captain Murrell." The
Judge raised his fist and brought II
down with a great crash on the t.
BILE. I'VE don't know any boy ten
years old with rife and bundie!'
he said.
"Please-you won't let him take me
away. judge-I want to stop with
you'll" cried Hannibal. He slipped
from his chair. and passing about the
table. seized the Judge by the hand
The Judge was visibly affected.
mol" he roared. He shan't have
you. Is he kin to your"
NO." said Hannibal. He tried tc
get me away from my Uncle Bob"
where is your Uncle Bob?"
Hes dead" And the child began
to weep bitterly. The Judge bent
and lifted him into his lap.
There. my SON" he said sooth.
ingly. Now you tell me when he
died. and all about It."
HE were killed. 1t were only yes
terday. and l can't forget him.
don't want to-but 1t hurts-it hurts
terrible!" Hannibal buried his head in
the judges shoulder and sobbed
aloud. Presently his small hands
stole about the judges neck. and that
gentleman experienced q strange thrill
OF pleasure.
Tell me how he died. Hannibal"
he urged gently. In a voice broken
by sobs. the child began the story
OF their flight, a confused narrative.
The judge shuddered. Can such
things be-" he murmured at last. Then
hA