Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-25
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mel"
Eyes. Laurie" she whispered softly.
Acting upon impulse he cuddled the
garment down into the crook of his
arm and held it there.
"a child-for me-" he unused. After
a moment he looked up and exclaimed:
IT wonder If it is given to man to ap-
preciate thoroughly the anticipation Of
motherhood hours given to fash
ioning little garments like this! Yet
it seems to me now that could work
forever for He broke OFF abruptly,
quite overcome.
Miriam was deeply touched.
"Never fear, dear, there will be plen-
ty Of responsibility for you later on"
Then Shirley poked her head In
through the door and called:
Miriam, the potatoes are burning"
Miriam left the room hastily, leaving
Laurie stroking the small garment.
"a father Of child" he mused
ats good to be father-a good IA
Their" He dropped at the table and
buried his face in his arms. But when
he raised his head again there were
tears in his eyes.
"a little child for me-and shot
Hargraves," he moaned.
Miriam came back into the room. At
a glance she realized what was going
on in his mind. She placed her hand
affectionately on his shoulder and with
tenderness said:
Don't you think any more about
that, Laurie. You're new man now"
II haven't thought of it for FIVE
years" cried Challoner fiercely. IL
haven't dared to think of it! l haven't
had time to think of it," He paused
Il moment, then suddenly went on:
HBut now have aot to think about
it. I'm going to be father" He
sighed. poor Hargraves, l can see
him now as he put up his ARM
"Don't!" Miriam pleaded. Forget
1t, dear!'
II can't forget itv' he returned.
tits all before me now" He glared
into space as man might who wit
messed before his very eyes some con-
flict. 81 can see it now-just as it hap
penedw
i He caught her arm roughly and
cried in loud voice:
Miriam, Miriam! Listen. dear, 1
can see it now-just as it happened!
Can you stand it. dear?"
What is it?" asked his young wife,
trembling with horror.
Challoner gripped her arm.
Il did not Kill Richard Hargravesw
he cried in sudden joy. mo, did not
kill himr'
Miriam tried to soothe him.
"No." evidently under great excite
ment. 81 did not kill him. Five years
ago everything was muddled. Life
was middle then, and on that night
at Cradlebaugh's everything was hazy.
But now it's as clear as day. l can
see i'll DO see itG' He lifted his arm,
his forefnger crooked significantly.
81 shot
"Yes," she said eagerly, you shot
Il shot at Hargraves. but did not
hit him. It's all come back. l can see
it now" And. pointing toward the
junction Of the side wall and the cell
ing, he went on to explain: 1.-The bull
let lodged in the panel Of the wall.
Hargraves put up his arm like this.
meant to kill him. and l shot, but
didn't hit him. toppled over in the
big chair. He started toward the door.
l remember that. It's all come back
in fash"
yet" she protested, you confessed"
"Yes," he answered. Il tell you ev-
erything was muddled-life was hazy.
knew i shot at him-I knew shot
to kill. OF course thought that had
done it, but it's not so. l tried to do
it, and them
She caught him wildly about the
body and cried hysterically:
Laurie. are you sure"
Il know, tell you," he answered.
Eyes. and there's one that knows. It's
Pemmican."
he stopped and looked at the small
dress, which through his excite ment he
had held in his arm.
I'm going to be father" le went
on, "and it's well that l didn't kill
Hargraves. But have got to prove
it. The world must know that didn't
kill him. Pemmican will prove it for
me-"
Miriam shook her head.
"You remember his testimony at the
trial! Laurie. Besides" she added
softly, taking an old newspaper clip.
ping from a small drawer Of her desk,
"Pemmican is dead"
Dead" His voice rang out in as
tonishment.
She placed her finger on her lips.
"Why, he died in the county Jail not
long after was tried!" exclaimed
Challoner. who was now reading the
newspaper clipping. .'wen, never
killed Hargraves." He leaned over
and kissed a tiny bit Of ruffle. "Tm
going to prove It for you and the little
one"
Laurie" insisted Miriam. "are you
sure?"
II was never surer of anything In
my life than this" replied Challoner.
II tell you, 1t has all come back to me
like flash. It was you, little one." he
said, bending once more over some
thing imaginary in his arm, that
brought It back to me-"
Miriam had watched him closely.
Yes, yes, she conceded, ut is true:
! can see It'll know" and, sobbing.
drnnnad htsra haad nnon hia -shonldar.