Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1908-06-18
CHAPTER XiX.-Continued.

1t was straight story, and appar-
emily damaging for the prosecution. 1t
corroborated the attestations of other
witnesses-many others. 1t had a
plausible ring to it. Two bills of sale
radiated atmospheric legality. If there
had been dirty work it must have orig
inted with that renegade half-breed,
Yellow Wolf. And Yellow Wolf was
dead. He had died while serving a
term in the penitentiary for cattle
rustling. Uncle Sam himself had set
the seal upon him-and now he was
dead. This insinuated charge he
could not answer. The finality of it
seemed to set its stamp upon the peo-
pie gathered there-upon the IL good
men and true, as well as upon others
Yellow Wolf was dead. George Viii
liston was dead. Their secrets had
died with them. An inscrutable fate
had lowered the veil. Who could
pierce it? One might believe, but who
could know? And the law required
knowledge.
1--WE will call Charlie Nightbird," ."
said Small, complacently.
There was little waiting silence
a breathless, palpitating silence.
rs Charlie Nightbird PRESENT."
asked Small. casting rather anxious
eyes over the packed intent faces
Charlie Nightbird was not present. At
least he made no sign of coming for
ward. The face of the young counsel
for the state was immobile during the
brief time they waited for Charlie
Nightbird-whose dark, frozen face
at that moment turned toward the
cold, sparkling sky, and who would
never come, not if they waited for
him till the last dread trump of the
last dread day.
There was some mistake. Counsel
had been misinformed Nightbird
was an important witness. He had
been reported present. Never mind.
He was probably unavoidably detained
by the storm. They would call Jesse
Big Cloud and Others to corroborate
the defendants statements - which
they did, and the story was sustained
in all its parts, major and minor. Then
the defense rested.
Richard Gordon arose from his
chair. His face was white. His lean
jaws were set. His eyes were steel.
He was anything but lover now, this
man Gordon. Yet the slim little court
reporter with dark circles of home
sickness under her eyes had never
loved him half so well as at this mo-
ment His voice was clear and de-
liberate.
Your honor, l ask permission of
the court to call witness in direct
testimony. | assure your honor that
the state had used all efforts in its
power to obtain the presence of this
witness before resting its case, but
had failed and believed at the time
that he could not be produced. The
witness is now here and | consider
his testimony of the utmost impor.
tance in this case"
Counsel for the defendant objected
strenuously, but the court granted the
petition. He wanted to hear every.
thing that might throw some light on
Il call Mr.. George Williston," said
Gordon.
Had the strain crazed him? Louise
covered her eyes with her hands.
Men sat is if daZed. And thus, the
cynosure Of all eyes-stupefied eyes
Williston of the ravaged Lazy S, thin
and worn but calm, natural and schol-
arly-looking as of old-walked from
the little ante-room at the side into
the light and knowledge of men once
more and raised his hand for the oath.
Not until this was taken and he had
sat quietly down in the witness chair
did the tension snap. Even then men
found 1t difficult to focus their atten-
tion on the enormous difference this
new witness must make in the case
that a few moments before seemed
settled,