Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-01
ESTABLISHED 1855.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Keel Boat.

Price" began Mahaffy. They were
back In Raleigh in the room the judge
called his office, and this was Mahaffy's
first opportunity to ease his mind on
the subject of the duel, as. they had
only Just parted from Yancy and Cav
endish, who stopped at one Of the
stores to make certain purchases for
the raft.
Not q word, Solomon-it had to
come. am going to kill him. l shall
feel better then"
What II he kills your" demanded
Mahaffy harshly. The judge shrugged
his shoulders.
That Is as II may be-"
Have you forgotten your grand
SOM" Mahafry's voice was still harsh
and rasping.
.T regard my meeting with Fentress
as nothing less than sacred duty TO
him."
I'VE know no more than we did this
morning" said Mahaffy. You're mix
ing up all sorts Of side issues with
what should be your real purpose"
Not at all, Solomon-not at all! 1
look upon my grandson's speedy re-
covery as an assured fact. Fentress
dare not hold him. He knows he Is
run to earth at last"
Price"
mo, Solomon-no, my friend, we
will not speak of 1t again. You will
go back to. Belle Plain with Yancy and
Cavendish; you must represent me
there. We have as good as found
Hannibal, but we must be active in
Miss Malroy's behalf. For us that has
an important bearing on the future,
and since l cannot, you must be at
Belle Plain when Darlington arrives
with his pack Of dogs. Give him the
advantage of your sound and mature
Judgment, Solomon: don't let any
false mcdesty keep you in the back
grounds
Who's going to second you?" snap
ped Mahaffy.
The Judge was the picture Of indif-
ference.
1T will be quite informal. the code
is scarcely applicable; I merely in
tend to remove him because he is not
fit to live"
"At sun-up!" muttered Mahaffy.
II intend to start one day right even
II / never live to begin another" said
the judge. a sudden fierce light flash
ing from his eyes. Il feel that this
Is the turning point in my career, Sol
omon!" he went on. 'The beginning
of great things! But shall take no
chances with the future, shall pre-
pare for every possible contingency.
am going to make you and Yancy my
grandson's guardians. There's a hun
dred thousand acres Of land hereabout
that must come to him. / shall out
line in writing the legal steps to be
taken to substantiate his claims. Also
he will inherit largely from me at my
death"
Something very like laughter es-
capped from Mahaffy's lips.
There you go, Solomon. with your
inopportune mirth! What in Gods
name have I II haven't hope? Take
that from me and what would I be?
Why, the very fate I have been fighting
off with tooth and nail would over
whelm me. I'd sink into unimportance
my unparalleled misfcrtunes would
degrade me to a level with the COM
monest! No, sir, I've never been with
out hope, and though I've fallen I've
always got up. What Fentress has Is
based on money he stole from me.
BY God, the days Of his profit taking
are at an end! I am going to strip
him. And even II don't live to en-
Joy what's mine, my grandson shall!
He shall wear velvet and lace collar
and ride his pony yet, by God. as a
gentleman's grandson should"
1T sounds we'll. Price, but where's
the money coming from to push law
suit?"
The judge waved this aside.
THE means will be found, Solomon.
Our horizon IL lifting-I can see 1t
lift! Don't drag me back from the
portal Of hope! Well drink the stuff
that comes across the water; I'll warm
the cookies of your heart with i'm
ported brandy ! carry twenty years
hunger and thirst under my wes-coat
and I'll feed and drink like q gentle
man yeti" The Judge smacked his
lips in an ecstasy Of enjoyment, and
dropping down before the table which
served him as a desk. seized a pen.
It's good enough to think about,
Price" admitted Mahaffy grudingly.
Its better to do; and II anything
happens to me the papers 1 am going
done. Man, there's a million Of money
in sight, and we've got to get 1t and
spend 1t and enjoy 1t! None Of your
swinish thrift for me, but life on q
big scale-company, and feasting. and
refined surroundings"
"And are you going to meet Fentress
in the morning." asked Mahaffy. Il
suppose there's no way Of avoiding
that?"
avoiding it," almost shouted the
Judge. FOR what have l been living :?
shall meet him, let the consequences
he what they may. Tonight when
have reduced certain facts to writing
shall join you at Belle Plain. The
strange and melancholy history Of my
life / shall place in your hands for safe
keeping. In the morning l can be
driven back to Boggs'."
And you will 60 there without q
second?"
IF necessary; yes"
II declare. Price. YOU are hardly fit
ted to be at large! Why, you act as
II you were tired Of life. There's Yam
cy-there's Cavendish!"
The Judge gave him an indulgen,
hut superior smile.
Two very worthy men, but go &c
Boggs' attended by a gentleman or
20 there alone l am aware Of your
prejudices, Solomon; otherwise might
ask this favor of you"