The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-09-23

Fairchild started to speak, but the
sheriff stopped him.
''Wait. here's another item:
at failed. 1 didn't kill either OF
them. They got out someway and
drove out Of town tonight. Ready 10
mad at me. He won't come near me.
And I'm so lonesome for himT"
THE explanation" Fairchild al
most shouted it as he seized the book
and read it again. Sheriff, Pve got
TO make a confession. My father al
ways thought that he had killed
man Not that he told me-but could
guess it easily enough, from other
things that happened. When he came
to, he found a single-jack hammer
lying beside him, and Larsen's body
across him. Couldn't he naturally be-
leve that he had killed him while In
daze? He was afraid Of Rodaine-
that Rodaine would get up a lynch
ing party and string him up. Harry
here and Mrs. Howard helped him out
Of town. And this Is the explana-
uonl'
Bardwell smiled quizzically.
'It looks like there's going to be q
lot Of explanations. What time was
It when you were trapped In that
mine, Harkins7"
"Along about the first Of Novem-
ber.''
The sheriff turned to the page. II
was there-the story Of Crazy Laura
and her descent into the Blue Poppy
mine, and again the charge Of dyna-
mite which wrecked the tunnel. With
little sigh, Bardwell closed the book
and looked out at the dawn, forcing It's
way through the binding snow.
yes, I guess Wen find a lot Of
! things In this old book" came at last
But l think right now that the best
thing any Of US can find Is q little
| sleep"
| Rest-rest for five wearied persons,
but the rest Of contentment and peace.
And late in the afternoon, three Of
them were gathered in the old-fashion-
ed parlor Of Mother Towards board
! ing house, waiting for the return Of
| that dignitary from a sudden mission
upon which Anita Richmond had sent
her, involving a trip to the old Rich
mOnd mansion. Harry turned away
| from his place at the window.
1.-The district attorney 'ad a long
talk with Barnham," he announced,
land 'e's figured out a wye for all the
stock olders In the Silver Queen to get
what's coming to them. AS it is,
some'eres"
Fairchild looked up.
whats the schemer'
ITO call a meeting Of the stock
'olders and transfer all that money
| over to a special fund to buy Blue
Poppy stock. Well ave to raise money
anyway to work the mine like we
ought to. And it d cost something.
You always ave to underwrite that
If we'd ave to sell stock a little be-
low par. It'd keep Ohadi from get
ting bad name and all that"
II think so, too" Anita Richmond
laughed. 1T suits me fine"
Fairchild looked down at her and
smiled.
81 guess that's the answer" he said.
"Of course that doesn't include the
Rodaine stock. In other words, we
give lot of disappointed stock
holders par value for about ninety
cents on the dollar. But Farrell can
look after all that. He's got to have
something to keep him busy as at.
torney for the company"
A step on the veranda, and Mother
Howard entered, package under her
arm, which she placed In Anita's lap
The girl looked up at the man who
stood beside her.
ST promised" she said, that I'd
tell you about the Denver road"
He leaned close.
THAT isn't all you promised-just
before I left you this morning" came
his whispered voice, and Harry, al
the window, doubled in laughter.
"Why didn't you speak it all outr
he gurgled. II card every word"
A1IL-.s rr"s snapped.
"Well, 1 don't gue~s .-.et's any
: worse than me standing behind the
: folding doors listening to you and
Mother Howard gushing like a couple
of sick doves!'
'"That Odds me-" announced Harry
. THAT 'olds me. amt got a word t
syer
Anita laughed.
Persons who live In glass houses
you know. But about this explanation
I'm going to ask hypothetical CUES
S ton. Suppose you and your famil!
: were in the clutches Of persons WHIT
d were always trying to get you int
position where you'd be more a
I their mercy. And suppose an OLE
T friend Of the family wanted to max,
the family a present and called VI
u from Denver for you to come or
{: down and get it-not for yourself, Blu
l just to have around In case Of need
j Then suppose you went to Denver
O got the valuable present and then
:, just as you were getting up speed t
n make the first grade on Lookout, vol
d heard a shot behind you and locke
Y around to see the sheriff coming An
: If he caught you, it'd mean a lot O
! worry and the worst kind Of gossip
!. and maybe you'd have to go to jai
n for breaking laws and everything nk
q that? In case of that kind, what
= you do?"
run to beat bloody 'elli" blurte
|