The Washington herald., 1913-10-19

whole campaign went in the air when
Lindstrom cut loose With his gunlr
They had him whirling out the road
with Arne continuing his imprecations
on the misfortune Michigan was with
them-they promised 10 be back foi
/ the belated train. Some. Of the town
women and the ministers want YOU tc
get to Harlan shouted Arne, and
ask him, for Gods sake, to get the
children out before he attacks Johns
house. The whole thing fell on Har-
Ian. somehow. Old Jellybelly Jeweti
blew up after the sheriff was killed
The citizens said somebody had &c
take charge Of the posse-it was de-
moralized- They put It up to Harlan,
and he's fighting some order out OF
the Elobi'
They came upon the blond-headed
young man who,, in night, had come
TO have authority in his manner-thai
taeit authority past all trappings Of
ofice which men acknowledge in crises.
He stood by the road q hundred
yards outside the Lindstrom fence. All
along this fence, and stretching into
the woods, was the hastily summoned
posse. armed with shotguns. rifles, re-
yolyers-with all the mob-inefheiency
Of community unused to the issues OF
force. Among the woods and on the
bridge across Sinsinawa Creek, and all
along the way to town, were buggies,
motor cars, horsemen, pedestrians,
coming out and struggling back. The
coroner's men had been there, and all
evidences of Lindstrom's bloody work
had been removed In the fence cor
ners, fires were going; the deputies,
chilled from the all-night vigil, were
making coffee Newsboys from Earl
vile were now going among the
crowds crying papers; and these and
the deputies eating and some laughing
nervously with one another, gave the
affair the aspect of a huge grotesque
picnic. They hurled quips at one an
others courage, and taunts to the en-
bryo war correspondents who hurried
back to the telegraph Offices, and then
came on 10 question leading citizens,
and to badger Harlan Van Hart, the
prospect district attorney, who seemed
in control. Murinurs were heard.
Why wasn't something done? Who
fired the last shotl Il was getting ri
dicuious, this waiting and arguing and
considering. The Chicago newspaper
men, who just arrived, were laughing
over the blundering and ineficiency.
Some of the deputies had secured
whisky and were already drunk.
Arne Vances machine reached Har-
Ian just as this word was brought.
Curran saw his eye set coldly; he was
glancing along his disorderly Gordon
by the fence. He seemed about to
ride down the line, and then he looked
at his watch.
Harlan" cried Arne. we brought
Wiley back"
Curran was conscious that Janet,
at his side, and Harlan were looking
at each other with a significant silence
He was going to speak to Harlan.
when that young man slowly motioned
him to leave the machine. He descend
ed and went along the rail fence from
the others.
Wiley" muttered Harlan, will you
60 in there?"
Wiley glanced at the Lindstrom
fort, gray and silent frame shack in
the midst of the corn stubble; a
stack, broken-down wagon, and the
wellhouse No sign of life, nothing,
yet from a window here and there,
with bewildering rbiquity, the deadly
rife shots had rung whenever a man
had approached. John will treat with
you. He swore you were the only
man in the county he would trust. /
our message Gave him two hours to
81 L..
Harlan, those children
Il know. And his wife-and that
sneak of a Frenchman is there.
But" he glanced at the towns peo-
pie resolutely, they left it to me
and I'll not endure thisl Dead or
alive, wen take him this morning
and I'll not answer for any one. I'll
lead the boys when the rush comes,
Wileyp'
The elder man looked up at him.
"Yes. I'd expect YOU" He was seek
ing an answer in Hsrlan's eyes-Har-
Ian must know-surely he knewi But
Curran could not speak, so great was
the press of this other greater mat
ter.
Harlan put out his hand. wiley, ]
depend on you. If they can be saved
it will be youF
Curran looked about. Some notion
that Harlan was -doggedly suffering
under the covert gibes of the specta-
tors at the safe distance-the mob who
knew nothing of the exigencies of the
case-came to him. Some idea that
the day would be crucial for the
younger man, if he hinched under the
responsibility.
@I'll GO, he answered, and for the
first time since his own tragedy be-
gan, a trace of the old friendly smile
came to his lips At the fence he
called back: "And if he does not
Gomez
'eThe law will have to take its
course. promise nothingr
Curran drew a white. handkerchief
from his pocket as he crossed the field.
He was vaguely aware that Arne
Vance's machine had turned down the
creek road back to town. But keen
er still was the impression that the
thousands OF eyes were watching him.
Presently he heard murmur among
the deputies. taken up, growing,
spreading to the masses of people
away beyond. He did not look back.
They knew him, they would recognize
him, the recreant, fallen man of the
county who would have been their
leader. Even when Struggling shout
went up, he did not turn; it rang with
a wild hysterical note, primal with hos
tiiity, it seemed to Curran. Then the
watchers saw him reach the house,