Gilpin observer., 1917-01-11
feur-saw nothing alarming when they
looked around before entering the

/
| house.
Without the slightest hesitation the
two younger women led Mrs. Evans to-
wards the building, screening their
advance as best they might by taking
cover behind a ragged hedge.
At that time more than half of the
allotted hour had passed, and John
Burton, whose thoughts were centered
now in the great purpose which had
dominated his whole life, was inclined
rather to spend himself in last eff
than in seemingly futile attempt at
self-preservation.
He had made up his mind firmly not
to yield to the Hell-cats' demand.
| "Say, boys" he exclaimed, attract
Ing the attention of the Hell-cats with
in hearing, "would you mind asking
Mother Flanagan and the rest of the
bunch to gather round? I want to say
few words which should be of inter-
est to all of you.
II could talk more easily if you
would kindly free my hands," went on
John quietly. "There is no fear Of my
escaping" he added, smiling so geni-
ally that his captors grinned in unison.
"There's nothin' to make a speech
about" broke in that fierce old harri-
dan, Mother Flanagan.
"That is where you and differ,
ma'am," came the placid answer. my
| time is nearly up. l guess have
twenty-five minutes, or thereabouts.
| We are not giving each other many ia
vors, nor demanding them, but it is
not great deal that man condemned
to death should ask to be allowed to
utter his last few words in compara-
tive comfort"
Johns bonds were united; he
stretched his stiff arms, and permitted
his bruised body to relax.
Il hope you won't interrupt me-" he
began. Il shall endeavor not to tres
pass beyond the allotted time, but it
will not be my fault If what have to
say does not command sympathetic
hearing"
Then, to their intense surprise, in
stead Of outlining a basis of agree
ment in terms Of money and life, he
sketched briefly, but with winged
words, the story Of his career. He de-
picted his childhood's days, passed in
surroundings with which everyone
present was familiar, and thus, at the
outset, placed himself on a par with
the limited intelligence and dismal ex-
periences of his audience. He told
how he had risen to be q foreman in
| the iron works, how he led the strike,
and vvoo hofOOJod lilo opO<bar Co,ncor
by a Delilah in fine raiment and
| anointed with sweet-smelling spices.
By wave Of magician's wand he
led them from the dirt and squalor of
u working-class quarter to the palaces
and well-tended lands Of an English
nobleman. He even held them spell
bound by describing the unhappy quest
which had dominated his manhOod's
years-that unending and never-suc-
cessful search for an answer to the
far.reaching question-Is Humanity
in the Grip Of Evil?
Burton, of course, remained in blank
ignorance of the astounding fact that
his audience was increased, for the
three women had crept up unheard,
and followed every word through the
open window. 1t was well that this
| was so.
Seldom, indeed, in the history of this
gray old world has any man spoken to
such a group Of cut-throats under such
conditions. By an inexplicable miracle
probably by the unknown action of
that subtle force vaguely described as
DISQUALIFICATION broke off abruptly
at an instant when his hearers We're
keyed up to the highest pitch.
"How is time going?" he inquired,
and the words fell from his lips so
nonchalantly that for q few seconds
none stirred.
Two-Gun Jake was the first to re-
cover himself. He fumbled at a watch
with his uninjured hand.
"Guess from what I've been told,
you've still got five minutes" he NUT
tered.
A white-faced old woman crouched
beneath the windowslll gasped when
she heard that voice. Mrs. Evans had
listened like one In trance. She un-
derstood neither the meaning nor the
intent of that strange harangue, but
1t held her like the others. AS the
poor old creature put 1t afterwards, in
sentence which could not really be
bettered by skilled writer: "It was
just n movie in words"
Happily, Blanche Griffin was able
to stifie the imminent cry with an en-
phatic hand over Mrs. Evans mouth,
for the mother had found her lost
son!
Then John made his big hit.
81 want to use those five minutes to
good advantage" he said, looking
around with benIgnant expression
which. utterly bnffed and nonplused
the woman and the men who a little
while hefore had haen fhirSflng for his