Evening star., 1922-12-24


The warGo.. spoke first.
Just why do yo. sink YOU are
entitled to be made an honor trusty.
Forgan?" ne asked. lingering the in
dcxed card on which were listed the
rebellious acts that had given Tiger"
Forgan his name and reputation.
Il didn't tell you | am entitled to
he made trusty. 7 asked to be made
one" In neither word nor tone was
there any hint of servility. any >sus-
acstion of man conquered.
The warden studied the man before
him, seeking in vain for a revealing
clue to the thoughts behind the mask
like face. Suddenly he turned to the
uniformed officer seated behind him.
Deputy" he said. Just what part
did Forgan take in Smiley Connor's
hreak?"
The deputy cleared his throat. With
he intensity of a consciously right
cous man who recognizes danger
Gus enemy. he hated and distrusted
the convict standing with folded
arms opposite the warden. Being IL
just man. however. he answered with
precise truthfulness:
He didn't take any direct part in
the break himself. warden. He was
ceiling with Smiley Connors. Con-
nors stole dynamite from the quarry.
Smuggled it inside the walls and hid
il in his cell. On tine night of the
break. when Conno-s hid out in the
1"iler room instead of going to his
cell. Forgan made a dummy man of
bl4nEat1 IN
clothes and hat and held II up inside
tho cell door, aud that way tricked
he night watch at the final count.
Forgan didn't join the break itself
no: but he did aid Smiley in every
possible way when a word to me
would have prevented the break be-
fore il began"
is II true. Forgano''
Warden Tyrell turned back to the
convict. Tiger Forgan answered
without hesitation:
1t is true" he said
You knew Smiley's plans and de-
liherately aided him.
Il did,
Why the warden demanded Tile
convict involuntarily squared his
Because I'm not a sneaking, tat
ding. favor-currying snitch." he re-
plied his voice rising with deep feel
:nS Why Because Smiley was a
convict and I'm one. You. warden.
are copper, and the deputy. too. It's
YOUR business to keep us inside the
walls, and nobody can blame you for
trying. It's our business to beat Won
II we can. and no one should blame
us for trying. either. There is war
between your kind and my kind
war do You get me?-even though
YOU have made this a, better prison
since you came. A man who deserts
his colors In war is shot. That's what
should happen TO the deputy If he
betrayed you and helped me to es-
cape. That's what should happen to
mo if 1 hadn't kept my mouth shut
and helped Smiley Connors wa, NOT
a trusty. He gave you no promises
and owed you no loyalty. Neither do
L. SO III be right with my kind
and you coppers be right with yours.
You can tear up that tru,ty applica-
tion. warden"
TIGER FoRGAN. understanding
L that his defiance had ended his
faint hope that he might be made a
rusty. turned abruptly on his heel
His hand was on the door when Ty-
rolls voice halted him.
Wait moment. Forgan. I'm not
done with you yet" the warden said.
The convict returned to the table. arms
folded. and once more the two looked
into each others eyes.
so you wouldn't betray a friend to
help yourself. eh?' queried Tyrell.
still toying with his pencil.
You've said It," Forgan answered
shortly.
Wouldn't betray friend" the
warden mused aloud Wouldn't be-
tray friend-not even to be made a
trusty. Ell? Well. Forgan-" War
den Tyrell looked up and met the
ronvict's puzzled glance with eyes
that suddenly lost their steely CLINT in
a just-perceptible twinkle of satisfac-
ton. We'll. Forgan. I believe you. l
helieve you would play square with
a friend. And because 1 believe that
I'm going to be your friend. To prove
It I'm going to make YOU a trusty
now and send you out to a road camp.
That puts it up TO you to stick and
make good, doesn't it,"
Warden. warden" cried the deputy,
jumping to his feet. "it won't do. You
can't let this man outside the walls
He'll-
That's enough. deputy I'm the
warden here" Tyrell interrupted with
curt flnality. I'm going to send
Tiger Forgan to the road camp.
What's more. he's going to make
good. Shake on it. Forgan'
The warden stuck out a big paw
and caught the convicts limp hand
Tiger Forgan. human being stripped
"f his mask. strove to master the
choking lump that rose in his throat.
then turned away. ashamed of the
moisture that dimmed his once hard
eyes. The warden. watching smiled
happily.
That's all. Forgan." he said.
Here's the order for your road-gang
outfit. Go to the tailor shop and have
them At you out now. You and the
rest of the Royal Gorge bunch will
leave on the midnight train. It'll
seem good to get away from these
walls and out into the open. where
you'Il live and work like free man.
Goodbye. Forgan. and remember
the warden laid his hand on the con-
vict's shoulder-"I'm your friend and
I've proved it, Now it's up to you"
When Tiger Forgan had groped his
way from the room Warden Tyrell