Graham guardian., 1900-06-22
Continued from second l.age

4 I2Qnlr - 4 =
What I want you 10 do.s said Red
i ding, his sharp eyes bent on ffIe gaunt.
coatless witness, "is to clear my clients
reputation Of ailthesIfsg you have told
to-day" k#hxfS
You'd bettef feM j straight story
Thad," smiled the solicitor. ..If vo,,
I va pil forgive yspitpr tie ssssfyvp
4 I'm wiliin' TO tell all know, con
sented Williams. IL tlon,t wsus NO
| trouble. I've gotta wife and six children
to support
Williams was then p,ttunsler oath.
and confessed that Syd had saih that he
had shot himself while trying to hold
his horse inicheck. tho hilinai being
| thoroughly frightened by the firing
Thad showed the court how his friend
had evidentiytried to hold the rein nsdnd.
revolver in the same hand, aud how IL
had been discharged by striking its
hammer against the pummel of the
saddle, IN
Il wouldn't a-tried to testify ag'in
Fanshaw," he added, IF sgd hadn't
axed me to revenge his DEATH
When the witness had sat down amid
storm Of hisses from the rear OF the
room and in the crowded hallway adj
joining, the solicitor rose.
Your honor" be began, "the state
has not shadow OF q case, and / want
to ask you to dismiss it. When think
how near / came to using my efforts
towards the conviction OF one OF the
most prominent young men in this
state-when think how near came to
being the tool Of the unprineipIed
scamp on my right, feel. say; like
thanking God for my escape. want to
be the first to congratulate Mr.. Fan
shaw. TO beg his pardon with all my
heart and to wish him all success in
the legal profession, 10 which, I under
stand, he is brilliant candidate"
The house beloved with applause as
the solicitor crossed over and grasped
Ronald's hand. a look OF dissatisfac-
ton clouded Capt. Wrinkles face. and
Col. Hasbrooke, with an inexplicable
expression, was seen worming his way
towards the door through the nov
standing crowd.
The sheriff, when the case had been
formally thrown out Of court, sprang
upon bench and pounded another with
his walking stick.
Boys" he beloved, II driv' Mr.. Fan
shaw into town in my turnout, an |
want the honor o. takin' i'm back the !.
same way"
Ronald, in the midst of a surging
throng eager to grasp his hand, looked
over their heads and nodded TO Ratcliff.
When the crowd was thinning some
what he found Dave at his elbow. Dust
had accumulated on the rough fellows
cheeks, and through II were the damp
tracks OF tears, The hand be gave his
brother was cold and quivered.
Il don't want to do anything 'thout
consultin' you. Ron" he began, $50
thought I would ak you about Thad
Williams"
What about him9" questioned Ron
aid, mystified.
Dave drew him out OF earshot Of the
others.
don't think can ever respect my
'elf," he said, with gulp. "if / don't
all i'm to account for the way he's
lone you. Ron, have got to fight'im
thar hain't no two ways abostit. Im
armed, an so is-he. IfIdon't turn up
lome tonight, tell 'em---"
His brother laid both of his hands on
is shoulders.
I'D rather sou would not, DAVE he
said. This must end the whole thing.
You must not put yourself into the, Jail
from which have escaped"
Ron, I'd ruther die than let that
.rifiin' skunk-Ap
But Ronald would not listen TO him,
md in a few minutes persuaded him to
Lrop his desire for revenge.