Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-08-25

him, so also was this entirely new to
him.
Flowers took ring Of heavy keys
from the hand Of the jailer, and led
the way down whitewashed corridor.
1t was not yet bedtime, and the other
prisoners were still up; some Of them
were reading newspapers, others were
trying to mend their clothing, still
others were doing nothing. A few OF
them called out boldly and babe the
new prisoner welcOme-and each Of
these received gruff order from the
sheriff to keep quiet. Dale paid no at
tention whatever to his would-be
| tOrmentOrs
At an iron door at the end of the
corridor, the officer halted and faced
about.
''If there could be such a thing as
comfortable cell here" he said in
low and kindly tones, ITS this one"
He went on earnestly: ''Now / want
you to believe me when tell you that
1t is with real regret that put you
behind door Of iron. But If didn't
do it, somebody else would do 1t; and
It's possible that can be little more
decent about. it than another officer
would be-"
II realize all that, y'know," replied
Dale, 'and I'm very much obliged to-
you, sheriff"
Flowers unlocked the door, and Bill
Dale walked in. Flowers locked the
door and went away.
| Dale began to inspect his quarters.
To all appearances, they were at least
clean. There was narrow bed COW
cred with a pair, of gray blankets, a
stool and soapbox, and nothing more.
The light in the corridor behind him
made snaky black lines Of bar-shadows
on the brick partition walls and the
outer wall of stone. Dale shuddered
in spite of himself. He put up one
hand and turned on a small light,
which dissipated the uncanny shad-
ows--and showed him a line from
Dante's Inferno" that to him seemed
very miserable; some former occupant
Of that cell had written 1t with char
coal on the whitewashed outer wall.
Then Dale sat YEARLY down on the
narrow bed. leaned his head upon his
hands. and began to think
He had always wanted difficulties
to overcome, barriers to surmOunt, u
work to do, fight to fight for him
self. In full measure he had found
them every one. He did not doubt his
ability to overcome the difficulties, sur
mount the barriers, do his work well
and fight his fight as a good man
fights, and whit 1t were not for the
charge of having shot and killed Black
Adam Ball! It seemed to him now
that that must end all that was worth
while for him. For that was more
than a difficulty, more than a barrier.
He firmly believed that it had been
his bullet that had finished the earthly
existence of the giant hillman. True,
1t had been an accident. But how was
he to convince jury that 1t had been
an accident? Would the jury take his
word for itf The jury would not, Of
course.
The mysterious third shot, that had
come from a little distance but he
could not reasonably expec1 deliver
ance from that source. II only he had
held down his abominable, savage tenn
| per; IL only he had
i Major Bradley interrupted his un-
pleasant train Of thought.
mo brooding there, my boy!"
i Dale looked up. The old attorney,
as neat in appearance as though he
had not even seen saddle that day,
was standing just outside the hate
full door Of bars. Beside him stood a
whiteclad negro boy with a big tray
Of steaning food on one hand and a
lpot Of steaming coffee in the other.
The Jailer came and unlocked the
door; also he very considerably
brought another stool and fresh water.
The major entered the cell, and the
negro followed.
/ An amused twinkle appeared in
Dale's eyes. as Bradley put the tray
down on the soapbox. There was
enough for Ave threshlng-machfne
hands The black boy was sent to the
front door to wait,
4 thought you'd be as hungry as
i am, and I'm Us hungry as poor old
| BY Heck ever wasl" laughed the
major, as he sat down and began to
pour the coffee. '.I2iding always made
me as hungry as 4 bear in April. Light
right into II, Dale. There's nothing
like good steak, for any meal. when.
fellow Is half starved: Ell. Dalef
Try that one, won't your ! told Massen-
4 gale I'd cause his beheadnent If these
steaks weren't perfect. Massengale." he
added, .'runs the hotel here, the Eu-
reka Funeral Parlora, and the One
Price Clothing Emporium"
II wonder smiled Bill Dale. what
he does with his spare time
Bradley laughed, his eyes twinkling
merFily. Dale found that Ne too was
hungry. now that savory odors had
invaded his nostrils. "A minute later,
and Ne had pronounced his steak dell
clous.
4 stAe-senrcola oNaff ,s&t k,,eto, ~