The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-06-26
(Coptinued from laat iasue)

derstoUl, he thoughtfully explained
that this was the underworld term for
the electric chair.
Clay made no further comment. He
found the theme gruesome one.
Anyhow. I'm glad dey, didn't put no
holster nor damper-getter wit me. I'm
partickler who l meet. De whole pro-
flesh is gettin' run down mt de heel.
I'm dead sick Of rats who can't do
nothin' but lit pOkes," concluded the
occupant of the lower berth with dis
gust.
Though Clay's nerves were Of the
best he did very little sleeping that
night. He was In a grave situation.
Even If he had fair field his plight
would be serious enough. But he
guessed that during the long hours of
darkness Durand was busy weaving a
net OF false evidence from which he
could scarcely disentangle himself.
Unless BrOmtield came forward ut
once as Il witness for him. his case
would be hOpeIess-and Clay suspected
that the clubman would prove only Il
broken reed as Il support. The fellow
was selfish to the core. He had not,
in the telling western phrase. the quits
to 60 through. He would take the line
of least resistance.
Beatrice was in his thoughts great
deal. What would she think Of him
when the news came that he was n
murderer, caught by The police in a
den of vice where he lhad no business
to he? Some deep instinct Of his soul
told him that she would brush through
the evidence to the essential truth. She
had failed him once. She would never
do 1t again. He felt sure Of that.
The gray morning broke, and brought
with it the steaninx smell Of prison
cooking, the sounds, of the caged un-
derworld. the sense Of life all around
him. dwarfed and warped to twisted
moral purposes. Atwarden came with
breakfast-a lukewarm, muddy liquid
he called coffee andt stew in which,
potatoes and bits of1 fat beef bobbetl
like life buoys-and |Clay ate heartily
while his ccllmate Favored him, he.
tween gulpS. with mOnolOgue on
ethics, politics, andfthe state Of society.
as these related especially to Shiny the
Shower. Lindsay WAS given to under
stand that the whole world was ION de
spud," but the big1 crooks had fixed the
laws so that they fcOuld wear diamonds
instead of stripes.
Presently Il gu,trd climbed the iron
stairway with a visitor and led the way
along the deck outside the tier Of cells
where Clay had haen put.
Hes in seventV-four, Mr.. Durand.'
the man said as he approached. "IlI
have to beat it. Come back to the Of
flee when you're'ready."
The eX-pugiIist had come to spat
over him. Clay knew 1t ut once. Ills
pupils narrowed.
He was lying on the bed, his supple
body stretched ut graceful ease. Not
by the lift Of an syelid did he rccog-
niZe the presence OF his enemy.
Durand stood IN front of the cell,
hands in pockets, the inevitable unlit
black cigar in his mouth. On his face
was sheer Of malevolent derision.
Shiny the Shower bueHel forward,
all complaisance. PLEASED to meet
youse, Mr.. Durand."
The gang politicians insOlent eyes
went up and down him. Il didn't come
to see you"
as alright Glad to see youse, any
how" the counterfeit passer went on
Obsequiously. "Some day, when you've
got time Id like to talk wit youse
about gettin' some fall money"
"NOthin' dom. Shiny. I'm not backln'
you," said Jerry col,ily. you've got to
go up the river
"Youse promised"
Jaw, what the HIS eatin' yOu?"
Shiny's low voice carried Il plaintive
whine. "If you'd speak to de judge"
"Eorget It," Durand brushed the
plea away with a motion Of the hand.
ITS your cell pal I've come to take Il
look at-the one who's goin' to the
chair"
With one 1.-the movement Clay swung
down TO the floor. He sauntered for
ward to the grating, his level gaze on
the ward boss.
"Shiny. this fellows rotten" he said
evenly and impersonally. "He'S not
only crook, but he's a crooked crook.
He'd throw down his own brother il It
paid him."
Durand's cruel lips laughed. "Your
pals little worried this mornin',
Shiny. He amt slept much. You see
the bulls got him right. It's the death
chair for him and no lifehoat in sight"
Clay leaned against the bars negi-
gently. He spoke with touch of lazy
scorn. "See those scars on his face.
Shiny-the one on the cheek bone and
the other above the eye. Ask him where
he got 'em and how?"
Jerry cursed. He broke into storm
of threats, anger sweeping over him
in furious gusts. He had come t."
make sport Of his victim and Lindsay