The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1922-12-09
-d.r&n.s. which Fairchild longed 70

arms about the girl at MS sue W
crush her to him, to seek out Win IN
instinct that needed no guiding iish.
the laughing, pretty lips which nao
caused him many a day OF happiness
MANY a day of worried wondermen''
He strove to talk away the desire
but the grinding of the wheeis IN tno
narrow shaft denied that. His myers
twitched, his arms tremoied as No
sought to hold back the muscles, then'
Welding to the impulse, he started
"Da-a-a-g-gone it!
"What's the matterT
Nothing"
But Fairchild wasn't telling inc
truth. They had reached the light
lust at the wrong, wrong moment. Out
Of the skip he lifted her, then inquired
the way to the sheriff's office OF this.
a new county. The direction was CIV
en-, and they weno there They toio
their story. "You say Bardwell ana
your partner went out on the oman
road to head the young I'm ONT
Eyes Do you think
But noise from without cut OH the
conversation. Stamping feet sounded
on the steps, the knob turned, anu
Sheriff Bardwell, snow-white, entered.
shaking himself like a great dog. as
he sought to rid himself OF the eHects
of the blizzard. 80,
"Hello, Bardwell, what'd you findF
| "No matter how much a person dls-
likes another one--it's, its-always
! shock"
Anita came closer "You mean that
he's deadY The sheriff nodded. ne
must have rushed his horse too hard.
When we got to him he was just ABOUT
gone-tried to stagger to his feet when
we came I'D. but couldn't make 1t. klnd
of acted like he'd lost his senses
through fear or exposure or something.
Asked me who was, and 1 said Bard
well. Seemed to be tickled to near
nv name-but he called 1t Barnham.
Then he got up on his hands and knees
and clutched at me and asked me II
I'd drawn out all the money and nad
It safe. Just to humor him, SAID
had. He tried to say something AFTER
that. but it wasn't much use. The frst
thing we knew he'd passed out. Inats
where Harry is now-took him over
to the mortuary. There isn't anybody
named Barnham is there?"
"Barnham? The name had awaK-
ened recollections for Fairchild; "why
he's the fellow that"
Eut Anita cut in.
"He's a lawyer in Denver. They've
been sending all the income from stock
sales to him for deposit. 1t MaOrice
asked If he'd gotten the money out,
it must mean that they meant to run
with all the proceeds. Well have to
telephone Denver"
The message went through. Then
the two sheriffs rose and looked at
their revofvers.
"Now for the tough one" Bardwell
made the remark, and Mason smiled
grimly. Fairchild rose and went to
them.
II MAY 60 along?"
Eyes, but not the girl. Not this
time"
Anita did not demur. Fairchild
walked to her side.
!. "You won't run away" he begged.
'TlI be right here" she answered,
. and with that assurance, he followed
the other two men out into the night.
Far down the street, where the
rather bleak outlines Of the hotel
showed bleaker than ever In the frfHd
night, light was cleaning in a sec
ond-story window. Mason turned to
his fellow sheriff.
"He usually stays there. That must
be him-waiting for the kid"
The three entered. Tiptoeing, they
went to the door and knocked. A high
pitched voice came from within.
"That you, Maurfce?"
Fairchild answered In the best imi
: tation he could give.
"Yes I've got Anita with me-"
Steps, then the door opened. Fol
: just second Squint Rodaine staret
, at them in CHASTITY, sickly fashion
. Then he moved back into the room
: still facing them.
whats the idea Of this?" came hi
: forced query. Fairchild stepped for
= ward
simply to tell you that every
things blown up as far as your
concerned. Mr.. Rodaine."
!. "You needn't be so dramatic ab0u
1t. You act like I'd committed muir
der! What we l done that yo1
should"
! Just menute. wouldn't try t
J. act innocent1 For one thing, har
I pened to be In the same house wit
! you one night when you showed Graz
,. Laura. your wife, how to make peopl
immortal. And wen probably learn
few more things about your characte
9 when we've gotten back there an
interviewed"
e He stopped his accusations to lea
e forward. clutching wildly. But
n vain. With a .lunge, Squint Rodain
e had turned. then, springing high frol
n the door, had seemed to double In tn
n air as he crashed through the big pan
le Of the window and out to the twent.
foot plunge which awaited him. HUI
d riedly they gained the window. but q