Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-09-22
CHAPTER XIII.

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his comrade had enough to think
about. The unexpected turn Of the
coroncr's inquest had added to the
heavy weight OF Harry's troubles; II
meant the probability In the future OF
grand jury investigation and the
possible indictment as accessory after
the fact in the murder of "Slssie"
Larsen. Not that FaIrchild had been
Influenced In the slightest by the tes-
tlmony of Crazy Laura; the presence
Of Squint ROdalne and his son had
shown too plainly that they were con-
nected in some way with II. that, in
fact. they were responsible. An OPP
| portunlty had aricen for them. and
they had seized upon II. More, there
came the shrewd opinion of old Moth
er Howard, once Fairchiid and Harry
had reached the boarding house and
| gathered In the parlor for their con-
sultatlon:
| SAINT Il what ! said right In the
begInnIng?" Mother Howard asked.
"She'll kill for that man, II necessary.
| II wasn't as hard as you think-all
Squint Rodafne had to do was to net
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 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 whatr Harry looked
up in surprise.
Immortality. That's why you'll
find her sneaking around graveyards
ut 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 concoctlon
that she sprinkles on the graves. She
believes that It's q sure system OF
bringing Immortality TO person
Polson-that's about what II Is"
Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Poison's what she Isl" he ex
claimed. SAINT II enough that I'm nc
cused of every crime In the calendar
without 'er getting me mixed up In q
murder? And" this time he looked
mt Fairchlld with dolorous eyes
"ow re we going to furnish bond this
time. II the grand jury Indlcts mef"
'Tm afraid there won't he any"
Mother Howard set her lips for d
minute. then Strengthened proudly.
"well. I guess there will It's bond
able-and guess I've got few
things that are worth somethlng-ant
few friends that can go to. ! dom
see why should be left out Of every
thing. Just because I'm a woman"
"Lor' love yout" Harry grinned hi;
eyes showing plainly that the worlC
was again good for him and that hi:
troubles. as far as few Sigh
charges OF penltentlary offenses were
concerned. amounted to very little II
his estimation. Harry had habit o
living just for the day. And the sup
port OF Mother Howard had wipe,
out all future difficulties for him. Th'
fact that convictions might await hin
and that the heavy doors at Canon
City might yawn for him made littl
difference right now. Behind the grea
bulwark OF his mustache, his big lip
spread in happy announcement o
Joy and the world was good.
Silently, Robert Fairchild rose an,
left the parlor for his own room. Som
way he could not force himself L
shed his difficulties in the same light
airy way as Harry. Looking back h
could see now that his dreams ha
led only To catastrophes. From IL
very beginning, there had been onl
j.. trouble. only fighting. fighting, fight
ing against insurmountable odds
which seemed to throw him eve
y deeper into the mire OF defeat. wit
every onslaught The ROdalnes I'M
n played with stacked cards and so fu
Il every hand had been theirs. Fai
child suddenly realized that he wa
!. all but whipped, that the psyche
q logical advantage was all on the sid
d of Squint Rodaine. his son, and Ill
IS crazy woman who did their hiddln
n More another hope had gone gimme
ing; even had the announcement M
I. come forth that Anita Richmond ha
II given her promise To marry MauriS
L Rodaine, the action of coroner
jury that night had removed her fro
L, hope forever. a son OF n man wi
10 has been called slayer has lit
[. right to love woman, even II tn
IS woman has bit of mystery abOl
ne her. All things can be explained
Id but murder
Ut II was growing late, but Fairchl
ID did not seek bed. Instead he sat
he the window, staring out nj the sha
er ows Of the mountains, out at the FIRE
ry pure night, and yet nj nothing AFT
ne long time, the door opened ana
rs big form entered-HaTy-to stal
Ir. silent moment, then 60 come Il
It, ward and lay a hand on the 9th
he mans shoulder.
1h "Don't let II get you, Boy" he sa
he soflly--for him. ITS going TO col
lg out all right, Everything comes o
lie all rlght---lf you amt wrong yourself