Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-02-06
her, for he had not seemed wicked. His
face was not cruel, though It was des-

her, for he had not seemed wicked. His
face was not cruel. though It was des-
perate. Perhaps 1t was partly bis very
desperation which had moved her. She
had understood Joe when he told her
that this man was his friend and COM
pretended his great fear when be said:
"I'ye got to clear himl promised
himr'
Over and over Joe had reiterated:
1--WE got to save him! I've got tor
She had answered gently, eyes. Joe."
hurrying to keep up with him. Hes
a good man." he said. "I've known
few better. given his chances. And
none of this would have happened ex-
cept for his old time friendship for
me. 1t was his loyaltyoh. the rarest
and absurdest loyalty!-that made the
first trouble between him and the
man he shot. I've got to clear him."
"Will it be hard?''
tsThey may make it so. can only
see part Of it surely. When his wife
left the Office she met Cory on the
street. You saw what a pitiful kind
of fool she was. irresponsible and help
less and feather Drained. There are
thousands of women like that every
where-some of them are court beau
ties,' dare say-and they always mix
things up. but they are most danger
GUS when they're like Claudine, be-
cause then they live among men Of
action like Cory and Fear. Cory was
artful. He spent the day about town
telling people that he had always lik-
ed Happy; that his Iii feeling Of yes
terday was all gone. He wanted to
find him and shake his hand, bury past
troubles and be friends. think he
told Claudine the same thing when
they met and convinced the tiny BRAIN
let of his sincerity. Cory was man
who had way with him. and l can
see Claudine fiattered at the idea of
being peacemaker between two such
nice gem tlemen as Mr.. Cory and Mr..
Fear Her commonest assevera ton
quite genuine, tools that she doesn't
like to have the gentlemen making
trouble about her. So the poor Inn
beetle led him to where her husband
was waiting. All that Happy knew Of
this was in her cry afterward. He
was sitting alone. when Cory threw
open the door and said. I've got you
this time, Happyl His pistol was
raised. but never fired. He waited toe
long. meaning to establish his case Of
self Defense and Fear is the quick
est man know. Cory fell just inside
the door. Claudine stumbled upon
him as she came running after him,
crying out to her husband that she
never meant no trouble;' that Cory
had sworn to her that he only wanted
to shake hands and make up Other
people heard the shot and broke into
the room, but they did not try to stop
Fear. He warned them off and walk
ed out without hindrance and came
to me. I've got to clear him."
Ariel knew what he meant. She real
lied the actual thing as it was and,
though possessed by a strange feeling
that it must all be medieval and not
ROOciGty VI lOQ0Jt u4dCtStOOU ludt lC
would have to fight to keep his friend
from being killed; that the unhappy
creature who had run into the office
out of the dark stood in high danger OF
having his neck broken unless Joe
could help him. He made it clear to
her that the state would kill Happy IL
it could; that 1t would be point of
pride with certain deliberate men hold
ing Office to take the life of the little
man: that il they did secure his death
it would be set down to their efficiency
and was even competent as campaign
material. Il wish to point out" Joe
had heard candidate for reelection
yehemently crate, that In addition to
the other successful convictions / have
named | and my assistants have
achieved the sending of three men to
the gailows during my term of officer
81 can't tell yet" said Joe at parting.
ut may be hard. I'm so sorry you saw
all this r.
"Oh. nor she cried. 81 want to un-
derstandl''
She was still there at the gate, her
elbows resting upon the crossbar when
a long time after Joe had gone there
came from the alley behind the big
back yard the minor chordings of
quartet of those dark strollers who
never seem to go to bed. who play by
night and playfully pretend to work by
day:
You know my soul is a-full o them-a-
trub-bils
Every mawni
cain a-walk withouten I stum-bilsi
Then less go on
Keep walkin' onl
These times is sow'owful. an am pow
owful
Sick an folawn!
She heard step upon the path be-
hind her and, turning, saw a white
wrapped figure coming toward her.
Manner she called.
HUSH" Mamie lifted a warning
hand THE windows are open." she