The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-10-14


him, 50 also was this entirely new 70
him.
Flowers took ring OF heavy keys
from the hand OF the jailer, and led
II 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
III there could be such a thing as
a comfortable cell here he said In
low and kindly tones, "it's this one"
He went on earnestly: "Now want
you to believe me when tell you that
Il Is with real regret that | put you
behind door of iron. But II didn't
do II, somebody else would do II; and
it's possible that can be little more
decent about 1t than another officer
would be-"
i realize all that, y'know," replied
Dale. "and I'm very much obliged to
you. sheriff."
Flowers unlocked the door, and Riil
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 a narrow bed COW
cred with 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 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,
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 good man
fights, and win--if 1t were not for the
charge OF having shot and killed Black
Adam Ball! II seemed to him now
that that must end all that was worth
while for him. For that was more
than difficulty, more than a barrier.
He firmly believed that 1t had been
his bullet that had finished the earthly
existence Of the giant hlllman. True.
1t had been an accident. But how was
he TO convince jury that 1t had been
i'm accldent2 Would the jury take his
word for It? The jury would not, of
course.
Il The mysterious third shot, that had
i n
could not reasonably expect deliver.
ance from that source. If only he had
held down his abominable, savage tenn.
per; If only he had
/ Major Bradley interrupted his un.
pleasant train of thought.
"No broodlng there. my boyl"
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 q
whiteclad negro boy with big tray
Of steamlng food on one hand and Q
pot 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 IL
Dale's eyes as Bradley put the ira,
down on the soaphox. There wa.
enough for Ave threshing-machIn,
hands The black boy was sent to tn,
, front door to wait.
Il thought you'd be as hungry al
, am, and I'm as hungry as poor oil,
) BY Heck ever wasI" laughed tn,
4 major, as he sat down and began {,
. pour the coffee Riding always mad
A me as hungry as bear In April. Ligh
!. right into II, Dale. There's nothing
!. like a good steak, for any meal, whel
h fellow is half starved; Ell, Dale
Try that one, won't vow? told Massen
o gale I'd cause his beheadment IL thes
4 steaks weren't perfect. Massengale," h
n added. runs the hotel here. the Eu
reka Funeral Parlors, and the one
Price Clothing Emporium"
n Il wonder" smiled Bill Dale, "wha
he does with his spare timer
n Bradley laughed Ibis eyes twinklin