The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-22

mo: b came into the county
lbout ten years ago, and bought Al
place called The Oaks. |"
HAS hs-a fAmilyr The ridge
appeared to b having officially
NTH his speech.
mot that anybody knows Of.
Some say he's . widower, others
lgSin say he's an old bachelor; but
be don't say nothing. The colonels
rot his friends, to Be sure. but he
1on't mix much with the real quail
Ity. One Of his particular intimates
is . gentleman by the name Of Muir.
rell."
Tho Judge nodded.
i've met him. he said briefly.
Acting on . sudden impulse. the
Judge muttered something about re-
turning later. and hastily quilted
the Office.
In the hall the judges steps
dragged and his head was bowed.
He was busy with his memories.
Then passion shook him.
Damn him-May God-forever
damn him!" he cried under his
breath, In a fierce whisper.
They finished supper, the dishes
were cleared away and the candles
lighted, when the Judge produced a
leather-covered case.
This he opened, and Mahafy and
Hannibal saw that it held 4 hand
some pair Of dueling pistols.
Where did you get 'em, Judge!
oh, amt they beautiful" cried
Hannibal, circling about the table
in his excitement.
my dear lad, they were pur-
chased only a few hours ago." said
the Judge quietly, as he began to
load them.
Norton had ridden down to Belle
Plain ostensibly to view certain OF
those improvements that went so
far toward embittering Tom Wares
existence.
do you think Belle Plain is ever
going to look as it did, Charley
as we remember it when We were
children" asked Betty.
why of course, it is, dear, you
are doing wonders!"
Ware stalked toward them. Hav-
ing dined with Betty as recently as
the day before, he contented him
self with a nod in her direction,
His greeting to Norton was a more
ambitious undertaking.
Il understand you've a new over
SEER"
Then you understand wrong
Carrington's my guest" said Nor
ton. Hes talking of putting in a
crop for himself next season, sc
he's, willing to help me make mine
Going to turn farmer, is he?
asked Ware.
so he says" Norton was ex.
tremely disappointed when thu
planter manifested disposition Il
play the host and returned to thu
house with them, where his pres
ence was such hardship that Nor
ton shortly took his leave.
Issuing from the lane he turnet
his face in the direction Of home
He was within two miles Of Thicke
Point when, passing a turn in tn
f, road, he found himself confronte'
by three men. One of them seize,
his horse by the bit. Norton hal
not even a riding-whip.
Now, what do you wish to ga
to. me?" he asked.
1--WE want your word that you
keep away from Belle Plain"
We'll, you won't get it," re
sponded Norton.
In the same instant one of tn
men raised his fist and struck tn
young planter in the back OF tn
neck.
You curt" cried Norton, as h
wheeled on him.
Damn him-let him have it,"
1t was mid-afternoon of the da
following before Betty heard of tn
attack on Norton. She ordered he
horse saddled and was soon out o
the river road with a groom in he
wake. Betty never drew rein unit
she reached Thicket Point. AS sh
galloped into the yard Bruce Cal
rington came from the house.
How is Mr.. Norton" she aske<
! extending her hand.
The doctor says he'll be up an
about inside of a week. II you
wait I'll tell him you are here"
4 Darlington passed on into tn
house. He entered the room wher
Norton lay.
I Miss Malroy is here" he salt
"Betty?-bless her dear heart!
cried Charley weakly. Just tos
my clothes into the closet and dra'
up a chair. There-thank 20,
Bruce-let her come along in now
And as Darlington quilted the room
! Norton drew himself up on the pi
lows and faced the door. This
worth several beatings, Betty"
exclaimed as she appeared.
He bent to kiss the hand sh
gave him, but groaned with tn
exertion. Then he looked up int
her face and saw her eyes swim
ming with tears.
"What-tears?" and he was muc
moved.
Its a perfect outraged" Bett
paused irresolutely. Charley"
Yes, dear?"
Cant you be happy without me
NO"
But you don't try to be-"
mo use in my making any sue
foolish effort, I'd be doomed I
failure"
"Good-by, Charley-I really mu.
! go"
He looked up yearningly into HI
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