The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-24

him forget it.
@ Blake's widow sat there, us she had pretty
much all the time since the murder. staring
straight before her, with her chin In her
palm. The sunlight struck through the
foliage Of the red oak trees that grew be-
fore the door, and cheekered with flicker
ing brightness the floor and cradle in which
Jem's baby was sleeping.
There it was, just as it had been three
days ago (could it be only thlee days?)-
lust az it had been when she went out that
morning to look after the drying clothes
and left him standing in the door by the
cradle chow fond he was OF the babY!j-
Just az it was when she heard the crack of
the pistol and ran in with an awful sense of
suffocating ~fright-just the same as when
abe had found him lying uron the cradle,
dabhling its white linen with his blood and
the baby playing with his hair. She
screamed once. the first and last complaint
anyone heard her make; then she was quiet
and helpful through it all-when men came
and lifted him up; when they had laid him
on the rough bed in the other room; when
they carried him to the grave, she following
with the baby in her arms.
Jake Smith was trying to find the link
missing in his thoughts; he shifted with
perplexity or something and Blake's
widow looked up without speaking. Jake
nodded pleasantly four or i've times.
.Pooty chipper?' asked he.
Blake's widow smiled sadly, bent over
the sleeping child and smoothed the clothes
with . tender touch.
ssThey're a-goin' to try him in q COURT
Jake went on, IAN 1 don't believe"
s.Try who-Antonio?" She turned toward
the burly figure in the door with a fash of
interest in her black eyes.
Yes. The ledge y making 2 court ont
OF his shed. I hope it'll turn out all right,
but il seems like giyin' that Mexican devil
a chance he oughtn't ter have"
HE can't get clear, can he?" she asked,
rocking the cradle gently. and patting the
coverlet.
Of a law ouss to speak for him-a Teller
way to G~alveston-and it makes me kind
o. nervous"
Blake's widow did not appear to notice
the last remark, for the child, disturbed by
the talking. had awakened and sat up in
his cradle with z wondering look.
the small figure with interest. Looks just
like-ahemLyou. Poor little-!-a"-he
stammered, and treated his hat like a
mortal enemy. 'Of course he'd had
you've got-thsre's nothin' ] could do fur
yer, maybe?"
she answered With a grateful look; b9t
Jake bent down, and with his big fore
finger softly rumpled the hair of the baby's
head: then he went and left them, Blake's
widow sitting as be found her and the
baby staring down the path after him.
He walked on until he reached the top of
the little hill. where he could look down
scene he had just left. Here be seemed to
have half a mind to turn back, for he hest
tated and stopped; but he changed his par
tial intention after lingering a moment
and walked meditatiyely onward, with the
exclamation, Wal, some women do beat
the ID amazin'.'
Of course everybody came to the trial.
The arrangements were soon found to be
altogether too meager. Pitblado's shed
was filed to OVERLOOKING and Bagget made
. clean sweep of every empty box in his
store. +@
featured fellow from Galveston, had busted
about with surprising agility on the day
previous, holding mysterious conferences
with ill-conditioned fellows of Gueldo's
kidney.
The court was assembled, the jury had
been chosen, and the witnesses were all
present save one-Blake's widow.
Pretty soon there was a stir at the door.
then a murmur of surprise ran through the
crowed room.
MAY ] be--,' said Jake Smith, audi
bly,, 'if she hasn't brought her bob!''
What reason she may have had for not
leaving the little thing in charge of some
sympathizing woman-and there were
plenty who would have bsen glad of the
trust--was not apparent; however that
might be, there it was, clasped firmly in
her arms, its bright red cheeks contrasting
with her Wilderness. and its fathers sunny
hair mlngling with her dark locks.
XVI With A.. pyo llif1inrIt- -,u -.1 =
through the throng to her seat, which had
been placed on one side of the Judge, d.
rectly opposite tho candle-box on the other
where Antonio sat. She took her place and
never moved during the whole trial, except
ing as she was required to testify, and once
when the baby tugged at some g%listening
thing that lay hidden in the folds of her
dress, at which she took pains to distract its
attention with a chip from the floor. Aa
for the baby, it sat there with it's bio blue
eyes open to their fullest extent, entirely
absorbed in the novel scene. save at the
moment when that irresistible glitter caught
its eve.
Everyone being now present, the trial
went on in good earnest. A number of
witnesses were examined, whose testimony
showed that Gueldo had had trouble with
blake. and more than once threatened his
life; that Gueldo's pistol was one charge
empty on the evening of the day of tha
murder, whereas in the morning it had been
full; that he was seen that morning around
Biake's house, and more than that, Blake7s
widow had heard Gueldo's voice just before
the fatal shot. and had seen him retreating
Ra she ran out.
At this last point the Galveston LAWYER
asked the witness a few questions regarding
now sho knew it was Gusldo's, and how she
iad recognized this voice for his. She didn't
Know now exactly, but was none the less
sure for that. N''
4 ~. % 14
Ihefe hau been a rumor about that some
one had heard Antonio make a boast of
having done for Blake this time but if
there were a witness for this he could not
DO found now.
And 80 the prosecution closed.
Inc Galveston lawyer began by involving
10 q Whirlpool OF hopeless contradictions
me witness who had sworn to having seen
Gueldo near Blaks's house. Then he expa-
tiatea on the ease with which one person
may pc mlstaken for another. and Brought
= witness TO show how Gueldo had already