New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-11-04

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 a pair Of gray blankets, a
stool and a soapbox, and nothing more.
The light In the corridor behind him
mades naky 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 d~issipated 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 pom his
hands, and began to think.
lie had always wanted difficulties
to overcome, barriers to surmOunt, a
work to do, a fight to fight for him
self. In full measure he had found
Them every one. He did not doubt his
nv SUI
mount the barriers, do his work well
and fight his fight as Il good man
fights, and win-if II 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 a difficulty, more than a barrier.
IVA Ai.nl,- aIi,,, H.. a.. TT -
his bullet that had finished the earthly
existence of the giant hillman. True,
it had been an accident. But how was
he to convince a jury that it had been
an accident? Would the jury take his
word for It? The jury would not, OF
course.
The mysterious third shot, that had
come from Il little distance-but he
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 I'M
pleasant train of thought.
NO broodlng there. my hoy! !"
Dale looked up. The old attorney,
as neat In appearance as though he
had not even seen a saddle hat day,
was standing just outside the hate
full door of bars. Beside him stood a
whiteclad negro boy with n big tray
of steamlng food on one hand and a
pot of steamlng 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 five threshing-machine
hands The black boy was sent to the
front door TO wait.
Il thought you'd be as hungry as
l am, and I'm as hungry as poor old
BY Heck ever was!" laughed the
major, as he sat down and began to
pour the coffee. 'Rlding always made
me as hungry as a bear In April. Light
right into IL, Dale. There's nothing
like a good steak, for any meal, when
a fellow Is half starved; ell, Dalef
Try that one, won't you? l told Massen-
gale I'd cause his beheadment II these
steaks weren't perfect. Massengale," he
added, runs the hotel here. the Eu-
reka Funeral Parlors, and the One
Price Clothing Emporium"
IL wonder smiled Bill Dale. what
he does with his spare timer"
Bradley laughed, his eyes twinkling
merrily. Dale found that he too was
hungry, now that savory odors had
invaded his nostrils. A minute later,
and he had pronounced his steak dell.
cious.
"Massengale shall not suffer be-
h~eadment,' said the major; and he
began TO carve his own steak.
II was an excellent meal. the grim
surroundings Notwithstanding. When
ii was over, the negro boy came and
took away the dishes, and received
with Il gladsome grin the two silver
coins that were given him. Then Brad
ley produced a handful of cigars. and
two of them were promptly lighted.
"Now. sir" said the old lawyer. Il
feel like talking. Let's see, you gave
your man Hayes orders TO carry the
work right along as though nothing
had happened. didn't you? And the
sheriff Is TO go back the day after to-
morrow TO arrest w or three Balls
and two or three Torreys. to see what
he can find out concerning the dyna-
hitting Of the two buildings and the
trestle-today was moi a good time to
make the arrests. Am I correctf"
Correct nodded Dale.
Bradley regarded his cigar thought
fully.
Now" lie said in a low tone. sud
denly lifting his gaze To the others
face, tell me about the thing that
brought you here. Don't omit ever the
slightest detail. Nobody can overllear
you II you will hold your voice down.
There walls are very thick. you see.
Well, you may begin"
In carefully guarded tones. Bill
Dale gave a straightforward account
of the whole unfortunate occurrence.
The major listened inteptly to every
word Of II, SO intently that he allowed
his cigar to 60 out. Often he stopped
his client and asked him to repeat GER
tain portions Of the story in order
that he might be dOubly sure of a
point.
As Major Bradley rose to ask the
taller to come and let him out, Dale
muttered downheartecly: l.
Tell me. major: what do you think
of my caseT 1t looks rather bad.
doesn't i'll"