The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-03-03

| York Investors Mt handsome profit
u how Northumberland by the
long ride In the bright, thin air, had
gone to sleep confidently with Allan
al his side, and of how he had sudden.
Allan spring TO his feet and rush
across the floor of the old building.
Then there had been another shot-a
revolver shot this time-and every.
thing was darkness, and he could hear
only something struggling at the door
Then he told Of his own fight; Of how
they had fallen and rolled about on
the rotten floor, and how, In despera-
ton, he had not hesltated to use his
teeth on the hand Of his assallant, who
had finally broken away and dlsap-
peared In the darkness. Then he told
the rest OF his story; Of his vigil with
Allan. OF the loss Of the money. OF
the capture OF Travers, and finally of
the arrival OF the policeman on the
scene.
Didn't II seem TO you foolish
thing TO go into the hills with all that
seen. and buy property you had new
er examiner asked the coroner.
ut wasn't foolishness; II was stark.
raving madness. as see II now" Har-
ris admitted. But | didn't see II
that way then. II looked like n lot Of
easy money. didn't care what the
coal mine was LIKE didn't care
whether there was coal mine at all
or not. so long as we made our turn
over TO the New York people"
But did II not occur to you that
the whole thing-coal mine and mine
owner and New Workers and all-was
simply scheme Matched up to induce
you away into the Businesses of the
foothills with lot OF money In your
possessloni"
A half-bewildered look came over
Harris, as Of a man gripped by a new
and parnlyzed thought. But he shook
his head. mo, II couldn't have been
that" he said you see. Riles was an
old neighbor OF mine and Mr.. Gardi-
ner, too. knew for a good many
dealing with strangers"
I'VE will go deeper into that matter
after a little" said the coroner. ITS
very fortunate MIR. Gardiner Is here
10 add what light he can to the mys-
terry. We will now adjourn TO the room
and hear his evidence. II would be
unwise to move him for some days
yet"
II can't tell you how II happened.
Doctor" he said. turning his eyes,
larger now In his pale face. upon the
coroner. hut / think ] got very home
sick-I guess was pretty tired, too
and began thinking OF things that
was little child, In II little sod shan
ty that the old shack In the valley
some way seemed 10 bring TO mind
And then guess fell asleep, too, bu,
suddenly | sat up in a great fright
I'm not a coward" he said, with q
faint smile. when I'm feeling myself
II takes more than a notion or a dark
night TO send the creeps up the back
OF my neck. But own sat up there
SO frightened my, teeth chartered.
had a feeling that ] was going to be
Attacked didn't know by what
maybe by a wild beast-but something
was going TO rush In through that old
blanket hanging In the door and
pounce on me-"
The sweat was standing on Allan's
face, aud he sank back weakly into
the pillows. Beulah placed u glass tc
take his time with his story.
AS the minutes went by" Altar
continued. after an interval, shat ter
rible dread grew upon me, and my
sense OF danger changed from fear Il
certainty. Something was going to at
tack me through that door! ! raised
my gun and took careful aim. l saw
the blanket swing a little; then l saw
the fingers Of a mans hand. Then
fred.
"Perhaps am a murderer" he con
tinued, simply, but before God
know no more why l fired that shot
than you do"
There were deep breathing and shut
ding Of feet as Allan completed thi'
part OF his statement. but only thu
coroner found his voice. Most re
markable evidence" he calculated
Most extraordinary evidence. ! have
never heard anything 80 obviously sin
cere and at the same time so altogeth
ed unexplainable."
"Perhaps it's not 50 unexplainable.
said a quiet voice; and Mary Harrii
made her way through the circle Of
men TO the side Of the bed. She sa
down on the coverlet and took thu
boys hand In hers. II mattered no
how many were looking on; he wal
her little boy again.
you will understand. Doctor, ant
some Of you men are parents" sh'
began. ALLAN will be twenty-five
years old this coming winter. A III