Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-01-18

In they ever had ag In an innocent
man." AS he spoke he waved his
hand towards Mr.. Webb, the state So
licitor, handsome man of 40, with a
bushy mustache and massive hair,
who sat only a few feet away
with his head close to that of Thad
Williams. They seemed to be talk
ing of the case, for the solicitor was
making notes with a pencil and nod
ding and smiling with evident salts
faction.
cts but fair to you, my boy" Red
ding continued, as bailiff gave them
seats on the left of the judges table,
Ito tell you at the outset that they
have the advantage SO far. Don't un-
derstand me to say that you will be
found guilty in the supreme court,
but my hope fur bail is gettin' awful
slim. I mighty nigh run myself to
death to ketch up with Williams. but
Webb suspicioned what was up to
an kept i'm hid out. Then" the
speaker glanced towards the judge,
I'm powerful afraid Richardson is
well, unsympathetic, to say the least.
know men dad drat 'emD you don't
have to belt me over the head with a
stockin' O. sand to open my eyes. The
truth is, Richardson is as cold towards
our side as a wet rock. He didn't
want to talk to me jest now. I tried
to hint that Thad's oath wasn't wuth
much more'n the ravelin's of rotten
wool sock, but he said that was a
serious charge to bring ag'in any cit
izen unless I was ready to prove it.
It wouldn't surprise me if dozen O.
Cvl nc, 81 20
you've made threats ag'in i'm. Men
leg fur dram O. rotgut, or to
avenge a dead rascal. If they refuse
you bail, my boy, you must try to
put up with it."
81 am prepared for anything" said
Ronald, quite calmly. AS he spoke he
caught Col. Hasbrooke's eye and held
it for minute. He noticed that the
old mans glance was stern and unfor-
giving. Further back in the row of
faces Ronald saw Dawes, full to his
great staring eyes with tender awed
concern. Some feature of Hasbrooke's
reminded him of Evelyn, and he fell to
plying her with his whole heart. He
told himself she would hear the adj
verse news on her fathers return
nome-the news that he was to be
common prisoner in the county Jail
until the spring. He fancied he saw
her white face full of despair.
Redding was turning the leaves of
big tome on his knees and as he took
no notice of his client the latter sank
so deep into his ooze of dependency
that he did not hear the preliminary
proceedings of the court. He came to
himself only when DR.. Sloan had be-
gun speaking. The physician was
saying that, owing to the critical con-
iition of patient, he hoped that it
would be admissible for him to testify
without delay. After a little discus
sion his request was granted, and the
doctor took the stand and kissed the
edge of worn Testament. It was his
opinion, he said, briefly, that Harris
death had resulted from a wound in
the lungs made. by the ball for which
he had probed and which he held in
his hand.
Here the solicitor rose.
els that the ball you found in the
wound. doctor?" he asked.
ut is, SIR" responded the witness.
CDR. Strong" pursued the solicitor,
estate to the court if it is fact that
you found the dead man with revolver
tightly clutehed in the fingers of his
right hand"
THAT is quite true, SIR" said DR..
Sloan. 'Thad Williams said that he
died holding it, and that he
"Your honor" broke in Redding, on
his feet in an instant, eve object to
what Thad Williams said.'
The judge nodded as he admitted the
justice of the objection. The solicitor
stepped to the table of the magistrate
and took up sgd Harris revolver, which
lay beside Ronald's, in view of the en-
tire room.
''Is this the revolver to which you
refer?" he questioned, casting a calm
look of satisfaction round the circle
of lawyers within the railing.
cit is, SIR
''There is one more question" said
the solicitor, with smile, land then
we are through with you, DIR. Sloan.
You are satisfied in your mind that
sgd Harris death was brought about
by the ball you found in his body, and
that the ball came from that other pistol
lying on the table-the pistol we shall
prove was carried by the prisoner"
Eyes, 1 am quite satisfed'-here the
witness paused. 81 am able to swear
that the ball 1 found in him was the
cause of his death, but I cannot, of
course, swear that the ball came from
that other revolver"
well, that will do" said the solicitor,
| and he turned to Redding. 'sThe wit
ness is with YOU he added, with an
easy smile, full of confidence.
Redding got to his feet slowly.
II don't know, your honor" he said,
''that- l. can think of anything just now
to ask the Witness" and he stood nerv-