Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-06-19
.lcHAPrER xyll-lcontinued.l

! II have never so regarded it. 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 IT were
possible to get cut flowers in this
cussed wilderness"
The Judge had been occupied with
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 its first public appearance.
Next his shoes had engaged his at
tention. They might have we'll 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 humming 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 it an indescribably jaunty
slant. and stepped to the door.
well. wish me luck, Solomon. I'm
ofr-come, Hannibal" he said.
At heart he cherished small hope or
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
! a house, but with true grandeur OF
soul he rose to the occasion; a
sublimated dignity shone from every
battered feature, while he fixed little
Steve with SO fierce a glance that the
grin froze on his lips.
You are to say that Judge SIocum
Price presents his compliments and
condolences to Miss Malroy-have
you got that straight, you pinch OF
soot?'' he concluded affably. Little
Steve, impressed alike by the judges
air OF condescension and his easy
flow Of words, signitied 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 tne entrance OF
Betty, herself
My dear young lady" the Judge
bowed, then he advanced toward her
with the solemnity OF carriage and
countenance he deemed suitable to
the occasion, and her extended hand
was engulfed between his two plump
palms. He rolled his eyes heaven
ward Its the Lords to deal with us
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 We're
richer while he lived!" The rich
cadence Of the Judges speech fell
generously on the silence, and that
| look of horror which had never quite
left Betty's eyes since they saw
Charley Norton fall. rose out OF their
clear depths again. The judge, In
stantly stricken with a sense OF the
inadequacy of his words. doubled on
his spiritual tracks. In round
about way, ma'am. we're bound to be-
lieve in the omnipresence Of Provi-
dence-we must think Though a
body might be disposed to hold that
west Tennessee had got out OF the
line of divine supervision recently.
Let me lead you to chair. ma'am!'
Hannibal had slipped to Betty's
side and placed his hand in hers. The
judge regarded the pair with great
benevolence- OF expression.