The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-11-16

rcll'l ave 'er adJudged insane II IT
ever comes to anything like that.
She'll never give no more testimony.
I've been talking with 'im-'e stopped
in just after you came upstairs It's
only crazy woman"
But they took her word for II,
Harry. They believed her. And they
gave the verdict-against my fatherv
81 know. | was there, right beside
you. ! card 1t. But it'll come out
right some way"
There was moment OF silence
then gripping fear at the heart Of
Fairchild.
Just how crazy Is she, Harryf"
"'Er? Plumb daft OF course, as
Mother 'Oward says, there's times
when she's straight-but they don't
last long. And, II she'd given 'er tes-
timOny In writing, Mother 'Oward
says IT all might ave been different,
and we'd not ave 'ad anything to
worry about"
"In wrlting?"
"Yes, she's 'arfway sane then. II
seems 'er minds disconnected, some
wye. don't know 'ow--Mother
'Oward's got the ole lingo, and every
body in town knows about 1t. When
ever anybody wants TO get anything
real straight from Crazy Laura. they
make 'er write II. That part OF 'er
brain seems all right She remem-
bers everything she does then and 'ow
crazy 1t is, and tells you all about II.
Notice 'ow fustered up she got when
the coroner asked 'er about that
bookf"
81 wonder what Il would really
tell?"
Harry chuckled.
Nobody knows Nobody's ever
seen Il. Not even Squlnt Rodalne.
guess it's part of 'er right brain that
tells 'er TO keep II a secret I'm going
20 bed now. So re you. And you're
going TO sleep. Good night"
He went out OF the room then, and
Fairchild, obedlent to the big Cornish
mans command, sought rest. But II
was hard struggle. Morning came,
lt JOlitu Ut lut-
Ing the curious glances Of the other
boarders, staying off their inquiries
and their lily couched consultations.
For, in spite of the fact that II WIS
not voiced In so many words, the con-
viction was present that Crazy Laura
had told at least semblance of the
truth, and that the dovetailing incl
dents Of the past fitted Into a we'll
connected story for which there must
be some foundation. There were
those who were plainly curious; there
were others who professed not TO be-
lieve the testimony and who talked
loudly of action against the coroner
for having introduced the evidence OF
woman known by every one to be
lacking in balanced mentality. There
were others who, by their remarks,
showed that they were conceallng the
real truth of their thoughts and only
using cloak of interest TO guide
them to other food for the carrion
proclivitles OF their minds.
An hour later Harry, wandering by
the younger mans side, strove for
words and at last uttered them
81 know it's dlsagreeable," came
finally. "But It's necessary. You
aven't quit?"
"Quit what2"
"The mine. You're going to keep
on, amt your"
Fairchlld gritted mis- teeth and was
silent. The answer needed strength.
Finally II came.
Harry, are you with meT
81 amt stopped yeti"
"Then that's the answer. As long
as there's bit of fight left In u.s. wen
keep at that mine"
Harry hltched at his trousers
They've got that blooming skeleton
out by this time. I'm willing to start
any time you say"
The breath went over Fnirchllds
teeth in long, slow intake. lie
| clenched his hands and held them
trembling before him for a lengthy
moment. Then he turned to his part.
ner.
Give me an hour" he begged. 'T1l
so then-but II takes little grit
to"
"Who's Falrchild hereT A messen.
ger boy was making his way along the
curb with telegram. Robert
stretched forth hand in surprise.
81 am. Whyi"
The answer came as the boy showed
forth the yellow envelope. Fairchlld
wondering, read:
"Please come TO Denver at once
Have most important information for
you.
| "R. V. BARNHAM,
III. 4 II. Building"
A moment OF staring, then Fairchild
passed the telegram over to Harry foi
his opinion. There was none. To
gether they went across the street
and to the office of Farrell, their at,
torney. He studied the telegram long
| Then:
II can't see what on earth II means
unless there is some information
/ about this skeleton or the inquest. II