The Hope pioneer., 1922-11-02
By Courtney Ryley Cooper
Richmond to Mr.. Maurice Rodaine, the
wedding to come probably In the late
falli"
CHAPTER XIII.
cepyrlsh, BY Little. Breva 4 C.

Fairchild did not show the item to
Harry. There was little that it could
accomplish, and besides, he felt that
his comrade had enough to think
about. The unexpected turn of the
coroner's inquest had added to the
heavy weight Of Harry's troubles; it
meant the probability In the future Of
grand jury investigation and the
possible indictment as accessory after
the fact in the murder Of "Sissie"
Larsen. Not that Fairchild had been
Influenced in the slightest by the tes-
timony Of Crazy Laura; the presence
Of Squint Rodaine and his son had
shown too plainly that they were con-
nected in some way with it, that, in
fact, they were responsible. An op-
portunity had arisen for them, and
they had seized upon it. 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:
"Ain't 1t what I said right in the
beginning?" Mother Howard asked.
She'll kill for that man, If necessary.
1t 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 off,
"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 l 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 whats" 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 sure system Of
bringing Immortality to a person.
Poison-that's about what It is."
Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Poison's what she isl" he ex-
claimed. "Ain't 1t enough that I'm ac-
cused Of every crime in the calendar
without 'er getting me mixed up in a
murder7 And" this time he looked
at Fairchild with dolorous eyes
SOW re we going to furnish bond this
time, If the grand jury indicts met"
"Im afraid there won't be any"
Mother Howard set her lips for q
minute, then Strengthened proudly.
"Well. guess there will It's bond
able-and guess I've got a few
things that are worth something-and
few friends that can 60 to. don't
see why should be left out of every
thing, just because I'm q woman!
"Lor' love you!" Harry grinned, his
eyes showing plainly that the world
was again good for him and that his
troubles, as far as a few slight
charges of penitentiary oftenses were
concerned, amounted to 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 at Canon
| City might yawn for him made little
difference right now. Behind the great
bulwark Of his mustache, his big lips
spread in 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 to
shed his difficulties in the same light,
airy way as Harry. Looking back he
could see now that his dreams had
led only to catastrophes. From the
very beginning there had been only
trouble, only fighting, fighting, fight.
ing against insurmountable odds
which seemed to throw him ever
deeper into the mire of defeat, with
every onslaught. The Rodaines had
played with stacked cards, and 80 fal
every hand had been theirs. Fair.
child suddenly realized that he was
all but whipped. that the psyche
logical advantage was all on the side
of Squint Rodaine, his son, and the
crazy woman who did their bidding
More, another hope had gone glimmer
ing; even had the announcement no,
come forth that Anita Richmond hat
given her promise to marry Maurice
Rodaine. the action Of a coroner.
jury that night had removed her from
hope forever. A son Of q man who
has been called a slayer has little
right to love a woman, even II tina,
woman has a bit Of mystery abou,
her. All things can be explained
but murderl
1t was growing late, but Fairchilt
did not seek bed. Instead he sat b,
the window, staring out at the shad
ows Of the mountains. out at the free
pure night, and yet at nothing. Afte
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