The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-12-26


mattresses we're rude and cruel, Polly
lay drunk on the floor. There were
no children.
After | learned from Mr.. Eure that
/ was a prejudiced witness, without
shred of evidence, that no cou9t
would listen to hearsay, and that the
dying girls confession would not be
allowed in court except 1t we're made
under oath before a magistrate. Poor
Jenny would never have told any man
what happened at Spite House; she
would not have given the last sane
moments of her life to vengeance;
and so there was no case against eth
er Brooke or Polly in q crime which
had earned them penal servitude.
Vengeance? / think our prayers to-
gether did more good, and when the
time came for Jenny's removal to a
bed of lint soaked In carbolic oil, she
was prepared to face the coming pain.
Shall die?" che asked. could
only kiss her.
Then" she said. even II it isn't
true, tell papa l died game"
She was Canadian, and there is
valor in that blood.
Before she was moved, Doctor
Saunderson, of Clinton, had taken
charge, and since we lacked petroleum
enough for a bath, approved what we
had done. He used opiates, but the
pain, after a frostbite is thawed, is
that which follows burning. On the
third day came exhaustion-and re-
lease.
l was obliged to give evidence at
the inquest, and my profession has
taught me quietness, restraint, sim
plicity. The coroner might talk law,
but l was dealing with men; it was my
business to make them cry. There was
no case against Brooke, but from that
time onward visitors to Spite House
were treated as lepers until they left
the country.
For the rest, would not be present
either at the funeral or at the public
meeting, or see the press man who
came up from Ashcroft, or discuss the
matter with any of my neighbors
The theme was one dlstasteful to
any woman with claims to deeency.
These things are not discussed. And
even If through misfortune my rela-
tionship with Jesse become a common
scandal, at least l need not share the
conversation. To make a scene, to
discuss my affairs with strangers, to
seek public sympathy, were things i'm
possible. Yet l heard enough. The
mattresses were gone from Spite
House, the constable was dismissed
from his position; the business of the
post-office and stageline were trans
ferred to Mr.. Eure's stopping-place at
the falls. Brooke and Polly were left
alone, with no power, 1t seemed then,
for any further mischief.
Until 1t actually happened, never
expected that Brooke would visit me,
but perhaps from his point of view the
event was piquant.
When | asked him to state his bust
ness, with II large gesture he claimed
the visD Nr's drink 1t is an old Gus
tom, wien l broke.
You think I'm villain?"
\ / made no comment.
"Tve come to thank you, ma'am. II
you'd pressed that girls case it might
have been well-awkward."
l told him that had l known the
law, I should have done my best to get
him penal servitude for life.
That's straight" he answered in
diligently. you always were clear
grit, and that's why / want-well,
ma am" he lowered his eyes, I'm 60
ing to confess. You don't mind?" he
added.
My eyes betrayed my one desire. es-
cape, but he stood in the doorway
leading to the house.
your presence" said, SIS distaste-
full. Please will you let me pass?"
Not till I've set things straight"
There was no bell with which to
summon help, and should have been
ashamed to make a scene.
go on" | said.
II dunno how you feel, mum, about
life. I've been disappointed, starting
in with ideals, and there're gone. I'm
as straight as the world will let me,
without my going hungry"
YES" Brooke sighed, I'm a dlsil-
lusioned, disappointed man."
/ had a curious sense that this actor
of life was trying to be real, and in
the attempt he posed.
mot that l claim" he went on,
that Spite House is anyways holy.
It's not. OF course, a sporting and
gambling joint meets demand, a re-
grettable demand, thing we both
abhor and would like to be shut of.