American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-03

1880 N6"t hdBCuy III ueF eyes.
But she didn't speak He pressed her
hand until 1t hurt and demanded:
You do. don't you, Babe?"
Yes" she told him. in a voice that
he barely heard.
Then why won't you marry me?'
She didn't answer. She wouldn't
answer.
The day OF the trial dawned clear.
with the snap of autumn In the
air. Tie courthouse was filed to its
capacity NiihiE fifteen minutes after
the doors were thrown omen. Every
man who had a rifle was forced to
leave 1t behind with the sheriff's depu-
ties; a company of the states militia
was there, and each member of 1t had
a hundred rounds of ball cartridges
10 his belt-the authorities were taking
no chances.
Amid a GREATNESS hush, the wheels
OF the law began to move. Caleb More
land quickly told what he had to say,
and backed 1t up with proof; he
brought put a perfect alibi. The
judge and the jury frowned and smiled
in the same instant. Dale went for
yard and took his place. He pleaded
mot Guilty" A little later the state
introduced its evidence and rested.
The counsel for the defense, patri-
clan and soldier-like, immaculate from
his toes to the crown Of his head,
went eagerly to his feet. He had fully
prepared himself, and he delivered his
argument with an eloquent and force
full swing. 1t vas plain that the jury
was favorably impressed by the words
Of this man who eve accepted a case
unless he was absolutely sure that his
client was in the right.
Major Bradley hinged his argument
on the mysterious third shot. II Dale's
bullet had killed Adam Ball, would
not Adam Ball have been shot squarely
or at least nearly squarely from the
ff0nt2 AS II was, the Goliath had been
shot straight through the temples
That third shot had been fired by some
hidden friend OF Dale's, the major de,
clared, and II had been done foF the
purpose Of saving DaIe's life. Ball
had been In the act of playing a cow
ardly trick; he had killed a man In
North Carolina by just such a trick
and he had boosted Of II.
The attorney for the state made a
rejoinder that almost favored the de-
@onHanf Thar thn no.rrk nhapOnd the
jury. and the twelve good men retired
The jury was out NOT more than
twenty minutes, but to Elizabeth Lit
tleford 1t was an age of torture.
The twelve men filed slowly In and
faced the Judge, who turned austert
eyes upon them and asked:
Gentlemen of the jury, have yor
reached a yerdictF"
They had. Elizabeth Littleford'i
head swan as she bent forward t.
catch the foreman's words
mot guiltyl"
A wild shout rose from the leatherl
throat Of the happy By Heck. The
MoreIands and the Littlefords cheereS
until they were hOarse. Sherin Ton
Flowers had difficulty In Quieting thu
tumult. Bill Dale shook hands unit
his shoulders ached. The Balls ant
their relatives, bitter with resentmen
and hatred, stole out, were given thei
rifles, and went toward the big hill
with the eye OF the militia hard upol
them.
Then the Morelands and the Little
fords and the Hecks, with Dale an
his mining man Hayes. came out, an
they, too. started for the big hills.
Dale had hired a horse and a sid
saddle for Ben LIttleford's daughter
and the two rode in each others com
pany on the journey home. When the
were well into the mountains, Dial
drew his horse over close to that 0
his companion.
"As soon as / can build and furnis
- he began, when Elizabeth intel
rupted:
Were ridin' too fast. We're to
much ahead o. the others. One o. ther
Balls might try to pick you off wit
has rifle gun"
"Not much danger Of that" Dale n
piled. 'sThe Balls have already bee
warned about sniping your father toll
them that their very name would b
secured OF the earth II there vas an
sniping. Besides. BY Heck is actin
as advance guard somewhere ahead {
MS"
He continued. GAS soon as ca
bald and furnish a little house OF
near the mine, ! want you to MARI
me. Babe. VIII your
Elizabeth Littleford seemed not
have heard.
"WiM you, BabeT"
She faced him sadly. BE saw
her hazel eyes the same queer ligi
OF tragedy that hs had seen there
day or two before: and now, as he
he wondered what It could mean.
sTeil ma. Babe"
Her head fell forward. The saBligl