The state herald., 1912-05-31
CHAPTER xI-(contInusd).

hoarse, inartioulate murmur stole
from between his twitching lips.
What do you know Of the Barony.
HAnnibal7"
Il lived at the Barony once. until
Uncle Bob took me to Scratch Hill
to be with him." said Hannibal.
-You-you lived at the BaronyY"
repeated the Judge. and dull wonder
struck through his tone. How long
ago-when?" he continued.
Il don't know how long It were.
bat until Uncle Bob carried me away
after the old general died"
The Judge slipped a hand under the
oAild's chin and tilted his face back
10 that he might look into It. For a
kang moment he studied closely those
small features. then with shake OF
tie head he handed the rife to Car
rsngton. and without word strobe
forward. Darlington had been regard
irg Hannibal with u quickened inter
est"
'Hellol" he said. as the Judge moved
OF. You're the boy saw at Scratch
B,n!"
Hannibal gave him frightened
glance. and edged to Mr.. Mnhaffy's
side. but did not answer.
The Judge piodded forward. his
shoulders dropped. and his head
bowed. For once silence had fixed
It's seal upon his lips. no inspiring
speech fell from them. He had been
suddenly swept back into a past he
had striven these twenty years ana
more TO forget. and his memories
shaped themselves Enthusiastically. Sure
ly II ever a man had quilted the world
that knew him. he was that mani lie
had died and yet he lived-lived hor-
rbly. without soul or heart. tho empty
shell OF a man
turn In the road brought them
within sight OF Boggs' race.track. a
wide, level meadow. The Judge
paused irresolutely. and turned his
bleared face on his friend.
Wen stop here, Solomon" he said
rather YEARLY. for the spirit OF boast
and Jest was quite gone out OF him.
He glanced toward Darlington. Are
you resident OF these parts. SIR" he
asked.
i've been in Raleigh three days nj
together" answered Darlington. and
thoy continued ON across tho meadow
In silence.
Here wero men from the small
eiearings In homespun ana butternut
or fringed hunting shirts, with their
women folk trailing after them Here,
too. in lesser numbers. were the lords
N the soil. the men who counted their
acres by the thousand and their
slaves by the score. There was tho
nuiter Of skirts among the moving
groups. the nodding OF gay parasoia
that shaded fresh young faces. while
occasionally comfortable family car
ring. with some planters vito or
daughter rolled silently over tho turf.
The judges duh eye Mndled. the
hnggard lines that streakod his face
erased themselves. This was life. opu'
lent and full These Hwiftrolling car.
riages with their handsome women.
these well,droHBod men on foot. and
spiondidly mounted. all did their part
toward lifting him out OF his gloom,
A cry from Hannibal drew his nj.
tnntion. Turning. he was in time 20
$50 tho boy bound away An instant
later. TO his aatoniuhmont. he saw n
young girl who was seated with two
men In mn open carriage. spring 10 tho
ground. and dropping TO hor knees
put hcr arms about tho tattorod little
figure
why. Hannibal" cried Betty Nal.
roy.
"Mias BETTY Miss Bottyl" and
Hannibal buried his head on her
shoulder,
what IL II. Hannibal, what Ia II.
dearf''
Nothing. only I'm so glad to rno
youi"
II am glad 10 SEQ you. tool" said
Betty. m she wiped his tears away,
s~yRhan Aid Won ret hefa dsafT~