The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-09-02

"the states attorney has deputized me.
to try this case, as he is out of town
and 1t seems to be the wish Of all the
parties to avoid publicity as much as
possible"
who is for the defense?" inquired
McCurdy.
Walter Linton. a brilliant young at
torney, went over to "The Pawn" and
held a whispered conversation. Then
he announced that he would defend
the prisoner.
"Will the defendant have juryY
I'VE elect to try the case before the
court" said Linton.
Davies opened for the state aid In
words of fire he painted the awful
treachery of "The Pawn" who, too
cowardly to battle in his own behalf,
had waited until his rival was en-
gagged in a friendly scufiie" with an
other and then had slipped In and de-
livered the poltroons blow He trust
ed that the real cause Of the rivalry
might not be made apparent 1t was
no wish Of the state to drag In the
mire the name of one OF Its most love-
ly daughters II the ends OF justice
could be subserved without 1t. But
the state would be able to show mo-
tive. powerful, compelling motive.
While he was friend of the accused
he had still his duty to perform, and
he felt that he must put friendship
out of his heart and do that duty with
all the power that lay within him.
And where was Tom Childress?
Why was he not there to ask the
vengeance of the law upon his assail-
ant? The state would seek to show
why. II the accused had any special
knowledge of the whereabouts OF his
victim the state would be very likely
to discover 1t. But he had no charges
to make: the present charge was Sc
rious enough, and he was willing to
let what might come out in the evil
dence.
Linton then outlined the defense
and said he would seek to show that
not Chester Easter but Tom Garrity
had struck the blow.
Hut this hope for THE Pawn" was
dashed when Garrity went on the
stand and swore that he had no knife.
and was fully corroborated by all the
rest. They swore with equal positive
ness that "The Pawn" did have a
knife. All had seen 1t as he stood
brandishing It at the top OF the stair
way. Diaz had seen 1t when he re-
turned to the office. Diaz also heard
the threat against the life of Childress.
He did not know what had become OF
Childress. He lived near him. and his
family knew nothing OF his where
abouts. He believed that Easter could
tell where he was II he wanted to-
This objected to by defendants coun-
sci, and objection sustained.
Through 1t all "The Pawn" sat with
bloodess face and with eyes far, far
away He seemed to take no interest
in the proceedings until Linton said:'
II will now put the defendant on the
stand in his own behalf Be sworn
Mr.. Easter"
McCurdy mumbled the oath: "Do
you swear 10 tell the truth. the whole
| IIHlN, anu noNbihS buN Nh' " hNh ''h
cerning the matters and facts pertain
ing to this case which shall be asked
of you by counsel. so help you. and SC
forth?"
"1he Pawn" took the stand like an
automaton. II the object Of the con
spiracy was TO daze him nothing could
have succeeded better. The mystery
is how they kept their faces straight
Several of the less experienced al the
noble art of practical joking had tc
leave the room to indulge in smother
ed shouts Of laughter.
"Now, Chester, tell your version oi
this affair."" said Linton.
II will tell It ALL began "The
Pawn" in voice choking with emo
tion. 81 win tell everything. cant
keep 1t back any longer, Tom Chill
dress face is with me day and night
wake up and see 1t In the dead OF
night II sleep It is with me in my
dreams. o, great God, II only could
shut that terrible vision from my
mind" He rose and. throwing up his