Some day, when you are
older, and I can bring myself to speak of it, I will tell you of
his last moments." The judge's voice broke, a thick sob rose
chokingly in his throat. "Poor Solomon! A man of such tender
feeling that he hid it from the world, for his was a rare nature
which only revealed itself to the chosen few he honored with his
love." The judge lapsed into a momentary brooding silence, in
which his great arms drew the boy closer against his heart.
"Dear lad, since I left you at Belle Plain a very astonishing
knowledge has come to me. It was the Hand of Providence--I see
it now--that first brought us together. You must not call me
judge any more; I am your grandfather your mother was my
daughter."
Hannibal instantly sat erect and looked up at the judge, his blue
eyes wide with amazement at this extraordinary statement.
"It is a very strange story, Hannibal, and its links are not all
in my hands, but I am sure because of what I already know. I,
who thought that not a drop of my blood flowed in any veins but
my own, live again in you. Do you understand what I am telling
you? Your are my own dear little grandson--" and the judge
looked down with no uncertain love and pride into the small face
upturned to his.
"I am glad if you are my grandfather, judge," said Hannibal very
gravely. "I always liked you."
"Thank you, dear lad," responded the judge with equal gravity,
and then as Hannibal nestled back in his grandfather's arms a
single big tear dropped from the end of that gentleman's
prominent nose.
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