The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-12-21
CHAPTER KIN.


Harry. There was little that II could
accomplish. and besides. he felt that
his comrade had enough 10 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
a grand jury investigation and the
possible indictment as accessory after
the fact In the murder of "Sissie"
Larsen. Not that Fairchlld had been
Influenced In the slightest by the tes-
timony Of Crazy Laura the presence
OF Squint Rodaine and his son hsd
shown too plainly that they were con-
nected In some way with II. that. In
fact. they were responsible. An OPP
portunity had ariren for them. and
they had seized upon II. 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
Amt II what i said right In the
beginningf" Mother Howard asked.
She'll kill for that man. II necessary.
II wasn't as hard as you think-all
Squint Rodaine had TO do was TO act
nice TO her and promise her few
things that he'll squirm out OF later
on, and she went on the stand and
lied her head on"
But for 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
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.
Polson-that's about what II Is
Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Poison's what she Isl" he ex-
claimed. "Ain't II enough that I'm ac-
cused OF every crime In the calendar
without 'er getting ne mixed up in
murder7 And" this time he looked
az Fairchild with dolorous eyes
"'ow re we going TO furnish bond this
time. II the grand jury indicts mel"
I'm afraid there won't be any"
Mother Howard set her lips for
minute. then Strengthened proudly.
"well, I guess there will It's bond
abie-snd I guess I've got few
things that are worth something-and
a few friends that / can 90 to. ! don't
see why I should be left out OF every
thing, just because I'm a woman
"Lor love you'll" Harry grinned. his
eyes showing plainly that the world
WAS again good for him and that his
troubles, as far as few slight
charges Of penitentiary ofrenses were
concerned, amounted 20 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
fact that convictions might await him
and that the heavy doors az Canon
City might yawn for him made little
difference right now. Behind the great
bulwsrk OF his mustache. his big lips
spread In a happy announcement OF
Joy, and the world was good.
Silently. Robert Fairchild rose and
left the parlor for his own room. Some
way he could not force himself 20
she'd his difficulties in the same light.
airy way as Harry. Looking back he
could see now that his dreams had
led only TO catsstrophes. From to-
very beginning. there had been only
trouble. only lighting. fighting. fight
ing against insurm0unfable odds.
which seemed 70 throw him ever
deeper into the mire Of defeat. with
every onslaught. The Rodaines had
played with stacked cards. and 30 far |
every band had been theirs. rair-
child suddenly realized that he ives
all but whipped. that the psyche /
logical advantage was all on the side
Of squint Rodalne. his son. and the
crazy woman who did their bidding. |
More. another hope had gone glimmer-
inr. even had the announcement not /
come forth that Anita Richmond had
given her promise TO marry Maurice
Rodaine. the seton Of coroDer's
jury that night had removed her from
hspe forever A son Of man who i
has been called slayer has little
right TO love q woman. even n that
woman has a BIT Of mystery about
her. Al things can be explained
bat murder
Il was growing late. but Fairchlld
did not seek bed Instead be sat By
the window. staring out az the silad-