Graham guardian., 1922-09-26


know that II has everything" she
cried. You're playing with me and
torturing me. Do you suppose don't
know what they're saying al him
that he forged Joe's name 10 those
checks and murdered him to prevent
discovery? Do you suppose don't
know that. when ! gavesyou the com
bination, just to help win, that you
put those checks there? Let me tell
the truth ON the witness stand! she
pleaded, standing before him with
clasped hands. and the tears raining
down her cheeks.
'rell the truth2 You must be mud !"
he shouted.
IF the jury knew that, they'd acquit
him. Ii could be arranged, I'D say
gave the combination TO Lee Cham
hers"
Again Bowyer began to be afraid OF
Kitty but this time 1t was her stupid
ity he feared. And he saw that this
was the occasion 10 let loose one ot
his babituated RACES, He seized her
hands In his. one in each, and twisted
them until she screamed with the pain.
Lets understand each other, Kitty
Bostock - he hlssed In furious
voice "rli take up your proposition
aud show you what 1t means. Listen
First, you'l break, your solemn cove
nant with me. Dishonest, you think?
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 so into
the witness-box with such story I'll
say you lie. I'll say he was your lover.
IN 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
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 witpess-box then. Kitty BOs-
tock7"
Bowye- 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
soul's resistance. II il only an repeti-
tion that the reaction comes.
And Bowyer calculated rightly agaip.
"Kitty B0stock," he said gently, II
promise you that he shall be freed
have the means, the influence. the
power. I know he didn't murder Joe.
Keep your head. and all shall be well.
swear Il. DO you believe met"
She looked at him as II he had
hypnotized her. ties. believe you"
shS answered.
$50 surely as you speak one word
he'll hang. Keep quiet, and he shall
be saved. Promise me you'Il say moth
ingi"
"oh. III say nothing" walled Kitty
wringing her hands. II promise you
see. Yes, l 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 aghest, looking al
him with eyes wide with fear. jim
nodded and smiled.
TITS all right; don't be afeared OF
me. Mrs. B0stock," he said. "You'rt
mighty worried about VIII, amt you
now. I guess we all are. Won't you
60 to Mr.. Payne and tell him what yor
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 hin
h-if--"
"If--" questioned Jim.
"If i kept silent. But I'll speak.
will. l never trusted him. Mr.. Bow
yer told me couldn't hold the line
and l wanted to save the money tt
help WIN. He promised that wher
the smash came he'd take the shares
of my hands at par II I'd give hin
the combination Of the safe, so that
he could find out about the plans.
gave II to him. The safe was mine
and was trying to help Will. Ant
i told Tom Bowyer the secret of the
wheat lands. so that he'd know BIZ
wasn't losing anything by buying my
shares"
She let her head fall against Jlm''
shoulder, sobbing uncontroliably. jim
laid his rough hand on her hair.
There, child, / guess you feel bet
ter, now, don't you" he said. "Yo,
didn't understand the wrong that yol
were doing. That's the way wrong