The Ocala evening star., 1922-09-02
Copyrighs by Little, Brown d %.
CHAPTER XIII.


his comrade had enough to think
about. The unexpected turn of the
coroner's inquest had added to the
heavy weight of Harry's troubles; it
meant the probability in the future of
a grand jury investigation and the
possible indictment as accessory after
the fact in the murder of "Sissie"
Larsen. Not that Fairchild had been
Influenced in the slightest by the tes-
timOny of Crazy Laura; the presence
of Squint Rodaine and his son had
shown too plainly that they were con-
nected in some way with 1t, that, in
fact, they were responsible. An op-
pOrtunity had arisen for them, and
they had seized upon it. More, there
came the shrewd opinion of old Moth
er Howard once Fairchild and Harry
had reached the boarding house and
gathered in the parlor for their con-
sultatiOn:
"Ain't it what I said right in the
beginning?" Mother Howard asked
She'll kill for that man, If necessary.
1t wasn't as hard as, you think-a1l
Squint ROdaine had to do was to act
nice to her and promise her a few
things that he'll squirm out of later
on. and she went on the stand and
lied her head off"
"But for a crazy woman"
"Laura's crazy-and she amt crazy.
I've seen that woman as sensible and
as shrewd as any sane woman who
ever drew breath. Then again, I've
seen her when I wouldn't get within
fifty miles Of her. Goodness only
knows what would happen to a person
who fell into her clutches when she's
got one of those Immortality streaks
on"
zone of those whatp' Harry looked
up in surprise.
Immortality. That's why you'll
find her sneaking around graveyards
at night, gathering herbs and taking
them to that old house on the George
vile road, where she lives, and brew
ing them into some sort of concoction
that she sprinkles ON the graves She
believes that it's a sure system Of
bringing Immortality to person.
PoisOn-that's about what it is"
Harry shrugged his shoulders
"PoisOn's what she isl" he ex-
claimed. "Ain't it enough that I'm ac-
cused of every crime in the calendar
without 'er getting me mixed up in
murder? And" this time he looked
at Fairchild with dOlOrous eyes
"'ow re we going to furnish bond this
time, if the grand jury indicts me?"
I'm afraid there won't be any"
Mother Howard set her lips for a
minute, then Strengthened proudly.
"Wen, [ guess there will, It's bond
| able-and I guess I've got a few
| things that are worth sOmething-and
a, few friends that / can go to. I don't
see why I should be left out of every
| thing just because I'm a womanr"
'Lor' love you!" Harry grinned, his
eyes showing plainly that the world
was again good for him and that his
| troubles, as far as a few slight
! charges of penitentiary Offenses were
! concerned, amounted to very little In
| his estimation. Harry had a habit of
| living just for the day. And the sup
! port of Mother Howard had wiped
| out all future difficulties for him. The
Il fact that convictions might await him
4 and that the heavy doors at Canon
II City might yawn for him made little
Il difference right now. Behind the great
bulwark of his mustache, his big lips
spread in a happy announcement OF
Joy, and the world was good.
Silently, Robert Fairchild rose an6
left the parlor for his own room. Some
way he could not force himself te
shed his difficulties in the same light
airy way as Harry. Looking back he
could see now that his dreams hat
led only to catastrophes. From the
very beginning, there had been Onl!
trouble, only fighting, fighting, fight
ing against insurmOuntable odds
which seemed to throw him eve
deeper into the mire of defeat, will
every onslaught. The Rodaines hat
played with stacked cards and so ia
every hand had been theirs. Fair
child suddenly realized that he wa
all but whipped, that the psyche
logical advantage was all on the sid
of Squint Rodaine his son. and tn
crazy woman who did their bidding
More, another hope had gone glimmeT
ing; even had the announcement no
come forth that Anita Richmond ha
given her promise TO marry Mauric
Rodaine, the action of a coroner
Jury that night had removed her fror
hope forever. 4 son of a man VIII
has been called a slayer has littl
right TO love a woman, even If tha
: woman has a bit of mystery abou
her. All things can be explained
but murder!
1t was growing late, but Fairchil
did not seek bed. Instead he sat b
the window. staring out at the shat
ows of the mountains, out at the ire
pure night. and yet at nothing. Afte
long time, the door opened, and
big form entered-Harry-to stan.
! silent a moment, then to come for
ward and lay a hand on the othe
mans shoulder
Don't let it get you, Boy" he sait
/ softly-for him. It's going to com
i out all right. Everything comes ou
all ri@ht-if you amt wrong yourself.
Il know, Harry. But its an awfu
tangle right now"
Sure it Is. but II amt as if a san
person ad said it against you. There
never be anythin= more to that: Far