The Holbrook news., 1922-11-17
By Courtney Ryley Cooper
Copyright by Little, Breva k G.

gathered in the parlor for their con- sultation:
 "Ain't 1t what I said right in the beginning?" Mother Howard asked. Shell kill for hat man, If necessary. It wasn't as hard as you think-all Squint Rodaine had to do was to act nice to her and promise her a few things that he'll squirm out of later on, and she went on the stand and lied her head off,"
 "But for a crazy woman-"
 "Laura's crazy-and she ain't 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 I 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 stresks | on."
 "One of those what?" 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 ville road, where she lives, and brew ing them into soma .ort of concoction that she sprinkles on the graves She believes that it's a sure system of bringing immortality to person. Poison-that's about what 1t is."
 Harry shrugged his shoulders. "POiSon's what she is!' he ex- claimed. "Ain't 1t enough that I'm ac- cused of every ,rime In the calendar without Ter getting me mixed up In a murder? And" this time he looked at Fairchild with dolorous eyes "'ow re we going to furnish bond this time, if the grand jury indicts mel?
 I'm afraid there won't be any"
 Mother Howard set her lips for a minute. then straightened proudly.
 'Well, I guess there will It's bond able-and I guess I've got few things that are worth something-and few friends that can go to. I don't see why should be left out of every thing. just because I'm a womanw "Lor' love you!' 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 offenses were concerned. amounted to very little In his estimation. Harry had habit of living just for the day. And the SUD- 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 a happy announcement of | joy, and the world was good. Silently, Robert Fairchild rose and left the parlor for lis 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 ratastrophes. 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 so far every hand had been theirs. Fair child suddenly realized that he was all but whipped, that the psycho- 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 not come forth that Anita Richmond had given her promise to marry Maurice Rodaine. the action of coroner's jury that night had removed her from hope forever. A son of man who has been called slayer has little right to love woman. even If that woman has a bit of mystery about her. All things can be explained but murder!
 It was growing late, but Fairchild did not seek bed. Instead he sat by the window, staring out at the shad- ows of the mountains, out at the free. pure night, and yet at nothing. After long time, the door opened, and big form entered-Harry-to stand silent a moment, then to come for ward and lay hand on the other mans shoulder.
 Don't let 1t get you. Boy," he said softly-for him. Its going to come cut all right. Everything comes out all right-if you ain't wrong yourself"
 "I know, Harry. But it's an awful tangle right now"
 Sure 1t is. But It ain't as if sane person 'ad said 1t against you. There'n