The Adair County news., 1922-07-04

She Let Her Head Fall Against Jin's
Shoulder, Sobbing UneontroIIably.
plexfties about a month before the
date set for the trial when Jim Belts
and Kitty came to his Office Kitty
sobbed ont her story, while Payne lis
tened in utter amazement
'Why did you do this, Mrs. Bos-
tOck?" he asked, when he had heard
her to the end
Because 1 love Will and wanted to
help him." she answered.
"YOu are willing to tell this story in
the witness-bOx just as you've told it
to me?"
81 will !" cried Kitty. eff 1t will
save Will-if it's needed to save him."
AS the day of the trial drew nearer
Payne knew Wills case was desperate.
Public opinion was inf1amed against
him, and Bowyer's skillful campaign
had borne rich fruits.
Without animus, but in the resolve
to clear his own reputation for laxity,
Quinn had worked up the case until
each link appeared complete. Ander-
sen, who followed the Indian witnesses,
testified reluctantly that he had over
heard Wilton request the pseudo DO
ucemen to delay their journey to Clay
ton, as he did not wish Joe Bostock's
death to be known, for business rea-
sons, until some time later
There followed Papillon and Jean
Passepartout, who stated that they
had been told by the outlaw, Hackett,
that Wilton had murdered Joe Bostock.
Having already come to the same Opin-
ion, and being afraid of having the
guilt laid to them, they had decided to
run away.
Suddenly there came a buzz Of ex-
element in the court room. All eyes
were turned toward the crown attor-
ney, at whose side stood Bowycr him.
self; and 1t was evidently the inten-
tion Of the prosecution to call him to
the stand.
Payne's eyes, attracted upward sud
denly, saw Kitty In her widows black,
seated in the front row of the gallery,
her eyes fixed in terror upon the new
conner. And, as If drawn by the force
Of her will, Bowyer looked up, and
Payne saw the flicker of a smile cross
ils red, vulpine countenance.
Bowyer, called, depOsed that he had
known Joe BOstock intimately for sew
RraI Thnu hnA oIx hnnT
friendly, though often business rivals.
"When did you first learn of his
death?' asked the crown attorney.
Not for several days after"
But you met the accused at the
Hudson's Bay cOmpany's store at Big
Muskeg few days after the event?"
"TwO days after"
"What did he say to you about the
tragedy"
HE told me Joe Bostock was not
with him.
"And he said nothing about his
death?"
mo. 1 knew nothing about it for
two or three days after that"
"Was his demeanOr that of a guilty
man?
Payne leaped to his feet. 81 object
to that question: he shouted. But
BOwyer was already answering:
'He looked like a man mad with
fear"
AS he spoke he glanced upward.
There came a scream from the gallery,
and Kitty fell back, fainting in her
chair.
The court adjourned until the NOR
row. Payne went to his client almost
"What do you make of it all?" asked
Wilton gravely.
"It looks bad" answered Payne.
81 was a fool to hide Joe'S death.
Inquire for Kitty when you go back
and try to let me know how she is,
won't you? And tell her not to worry.
Tell her I'm going to pull out triumph
antly, for the sake of the line," said
Wilton.
Payne left him with the resolve to
put Kitty upon the stand. He did not
tell Wilton this. He would have
avoided this had it been possible. But
it was the only chance remaining. The |
jury might believe her.
Suddenly there leaped into Payne's
mind the overwhelming conviction that |
Bowyer was at the back of the muir
der. Nothing else could explain his
He learned that Kitty |
was recovering, and, before returning |
to inform Wilton, he had the impulse
"a 90 to Jim Belts quarters. He want
ea to see the only man who still be-
deYed in Wilton's innocence.
At Belts home he was told that the |
old man had left Clayton two weeks |
before, and had not yet returned.
Payne made his way slowly back to
the jail. He had to upaOld his faith
faith in an acQuittai. 1t