The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-05
so that it didn't make any noise"

| Carson paused, ana the SET despair
Of his features lightened little. Into
his voice came tone Of exultation in
describably CHASTITY. 1t was born of
the eternal egotism Of the criminal, fat
tening vanity in gloating over his in
genuity for evil. He stared at Burke
with quizzical grin crooking his lips.
"Say," he exclaimed, ''I'u bet it's the
first time guy was ever croaked with
one of them things! Amt it,"
The inspector nodded affirmation.
"Some class to that, eh?" Carson de-
manded. still with that grewsome air
of Boosting. Il got the gun and the
Maxim silencer thing of a fence in
Boston," he explained. "Say, that
thing cost me $50, and it's worth every
cent of the money. Why. they'll re-
member ME as the first to spring one
Of them things. won't they?"
"They sure will. Joe!' the inspector
conceded.
"Nobody knew had it," Carson con-
tinued, dropping his braggart manner
abruptly.
At the words. Mary started, and her
lips moved as ii she were about to
speak.
Nobody knew had it-nobody in
the world" he declared. "And no.
body had anything to do with the kill.
ing but me-"
"Was there any bad feeling between
you and Eddie Griggs?"
Never till that very minute. Then
learned the truth about what he'd
framed up with you" The speakers
voice reverted to its former ferceness
in recollection of the treachery Of one
whom he had trusted.
HE was stool pigeon. and I hated
him! That's all. and it's enough. And
It's all true. so help me God!"
The Inspector nodded dismissal to
the stenographer, with an air Of relief.
That's all, Williams" he said heav-
lily. He'll sign It as soon as you've
transcribed the notes"
Then as the stenographer left the
room Burke turned his gaze on the
woman, who stood there in q posture
If complete detection, her white. an
,uished face dOwncast. There was
triumph in the inspectors voice as he
addressed her, for his professional
pride was full fed by this victory over
his foes.
Young woman" Burke said briskly,
it's just like l told you. You cant
beat the law. Carson thought he
could-and now He broke of, with
wave Of his hand toward the man
who had just sentenced himself to
leath in the electric chair.
THAT'S right Carson agreed, with
somber intensity. His eyes were grown
clouded again now, and his voice drag
ged leaden. ''That's right, Mary" he
repeated duly. after little pause.
You can't beat the law" He hes
itated little, then went on, with
certain curious embarrassment. "And
this same old law says woman must
stick to her man."
The girls eyes met his with passion
ate sorrow in their misty deeps. Gar
son gave a significant glance toward
Dick Glider, then his gaze returned to
her. There was smoldering despair
in that look There were, as well, an
entreaty and command.
$50" he went on, you must go along
with him. Mary. Won't you? It's the
best thing to do"
The girl could not answer. There
was a clutch on her throat just then,
which would not relax at the call Of
her will.
OF sudden, an inspiration came to
him, a means to snap the tension, to
create diversion wholly efficacious.
He would turn to his Boosting again,
would call upon his vanity, which he
knew we'll as his chief foible, and
make it serve as the foil against his
love.
You want to cut out worrying, about
me-" he counseled, bravely. "Why, l
amt worrying any, myself-not little
bit! You see, It's something new I've
pulled OF. Nobody ever put over any
thing like 1t before"
He faced Burke with grin Of gloat-
ing again.
'I'll bet there'll be a lot Of stuff In
the newspapers about this, and my pic
ture, too, in most Of 'em! WHAT"
The mans manner imposed on
Burke, though Mary felt the torment
chat his vaing)orying was meant to
mask.
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