The Adair County news., 1922-07-04

tOck," he answered. II don't believe
he's guilty"
"Of course, he isn't gulltyI"
"Tve always said he isn't. But he'll
have to take his verdict from the jury.
What is there we can doT"
Kitty looked at him in consterna-
ton. ''1he safe!" she gasped. That's
what"
But that has nothing to do with
Joe's death, Mrs. Bostock."
She sprang to her feet, confronting
him with dramatic indignation. You
know that it has everything" she
cried. you're playing with me and
torturing me. Do you suppose 1 don't
know what they're saying about him
that he forged Joe's name to those
checks and murdered him to prevent
discovery? Dc you suppose 1 don't
know that, when 1 gave you the COM
binatiOn, just to help viii, that you
put those checks there? Let me tell
the truth OH the witness stand ~ she
pleaded, standing before him with
clasped hands, and the tears raining
down her cheeks.
"Tell the truth? You must be madr"
he shouted.
IF the jury knew that, they'd acquit
him. 1t could be arranged. I'd say 1
gave the combination to Lee Cham
bers-"
Again BOwyer began to be afraid of
Kitty; but this time it was her stupid
ity he feared. And he saw that this
was the occasion to let loose one Of
his habituated RACES. He seized her
hands in his, one in each, and twisted
them until she screamed with the pain.
Lets understand each other, Kitty
BoStockr he hissed in a furious
voice. "Tll take up your proposition
and show you what 1t means. Listenl
First, you'll break your solemn cove
nant with me. Dishonest, you thlnk1
The sort that's made between people
every day. I've played fair with you.
And you'll play fair with me, or you'll
lose your fortune-every penny of 1t.
That's first.
Second, so surely as you go into
the witneSs-bOx with such a story I'll
say you lie. I'll say he was your lover.
I'll say that he killed Joe at your in
stigatiOn because you wanted to be
rid of him. I'll say that you went to
Big Muskeg and lived there, almost
next door to him. I'll bring forward a
workman who saw you two together,
kissing on the swamp one evening. I'll
swear it's a cOncocted story made up
by you to free your paramour. What
sort Of figure do you think you'll cut
in the witness-box then, Kitty Bos-
tock7"
BOwyer had calculated rightly. Up
on a woman like Kitty, petted and
spoiled from birth, the astounding
fact of physical violence comes as a
stunning shock that breaks down the
souls resistance. 1t Is only on repeti-
ton that the reaction comes.
And BOwyer calculated rightly again.
Kitty BOstock," he said gently, Il
promise you that he shall be freed.
I have the means, the influence, the
power. know he didn't murder Joe.
Keep your head, and all shall be well.
l swear it. Do you believe meT
She looked at him as if he had
hypnotized her. "Yes, 1 believe you"
abe answered.
so sureIy as you speak one woru,
he'll hang. Keep quiet, and he shall
be saved. Promise me you'll say moth
ing!"
"Oh. I'll say nothing" walled Kitty,
wringing her hands. 81 promise you.
L see. Yes, understand nOw."
And she went out of the house with
her head low, dubious, and yet with
the sure conviction that Bowyer could
save Wilton. BOwyer could save him,
but nobody else could do so. She would |
trust him, because there was nobody |
else to trust.
Between the house and the station,
Kitty grew conscious of an old man
walking beside her, trying to speak to
her. Absorbed in her thoughts, she |
did not know how long he had been |
there. Suddenly she realized that this |
was Jim Belts.
She Shrank back aghast, looking at |
him with eyes wide with fear. Jim |
nodded and smiled.
ITS all right; don't be afeared of !
me, Mrs. BOstOck," he said. You're |
mighty worried about Will, amt you |
now. 1 guess we all are Won't you
60 to Mr.. Payne and tell him what you
knOw?"
They had reached the station. The |
train for Clayton was waiting. Jim |
followed Kitty into the compartment
and took his seat beside her.
''TOm BOwyer swore he'd save him
IF" questioned Jim.
"If kept silent. But I'll speak.
will. 1 never trusted him. Mr.. Bow
yer told me 1 couldn't hold the line,
and 1 wanted to save the money to
help VIII. He promised that when
the smash came he'd take the shares
off my hands at par if I'd give him
the combination of the safe, so that
he could find out about the plans.
gave it to him. The safe was mine
and 1 was trying to help Will. And
| told Tom BOwyer the secret of the
wheat lands, so that he'd know he
wa Snt losing anvthino nv huvinU my |