Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-08

door; also he very considerably
brought another stool and fresh water.
The major entered the cell, and the
negro followed.
An amused twinkle appeared in
Dale's eyes as Bradley put the tray
down on the soapbOX. There was
enough for five threshing machine
hands, The black boy was sent to the
front door to wait.
II thought you'd be as hungry as
l am, and I'm as hungry as poor old
BY Heck ever wasw laughed the
major as he sat down and began to
pour the coffee. Riding always made
me as hungry as a bear I'm April. Light
right into it, Dale. There's nothing
like n good steak, for any meal, when
a fellow is half starved; ell, Dale?
Try that one, won't you? l told Massen-
gale I'd cause his beheadment If these
steaks weren't perfect. Massengale." he
added, runs the hotel here. the Eu-
reka Funeral Parlors, and the One
Price Clothing Emporium"
Il wonder" smiled Bill Dale, what
he does with his spare timer
Bradley laughed, his eyes twinkling
merrly. Dale found that he too was
hungry, now that savory odors had
invaded his nostrils. A minute later
and he had pronounced his steak deli
cious.
"Massengale shall not suffer be-
headment," said the major; and he
began to carve his own steak.
1t was an excellent meal, the grim
surroundings Notwithstanding. When
1t was over, the negro boy came and
took away the dishes, and received
with q gladstone grin the two silver
coins that were given him. Then Brad
ley produced n handful of cigars, and
two of them were promptly lighted.
Nov, sir" said the old lawyer, II
feel like talking. Let's see, you gave
your man Hayes orders TO carry the
work right along as though nothing
had happened. didn't you? And the
sheriff is TO go back the day after to-
morrow TO arrest two or three Balls
and two or three Torreys, TO see what
he can find out concerning the dyna-
hitting Of the two buildings and the
trestle-today was not good time to
make the arrests. Am i correctT
Correct" nodded Dale.
Bradley regarded his cigar thought
fully.
"Now," he said in low tone, sud-
denly lifting his gaze 10 the others
face, tell me about the thing that
brought you here. Don't omit even the
slightest detail. Nobody can overhear
you If you will hold your voice down.
These walls are very thick, you see.
Well, you may begin"
In carefully guarded tones, Bill
Dale gave straightforward account
of the whole unfortunate occurrence.
The major listened intently to every
! word of it, so intently that he allowed
his cigar to go out. Often he stopped
his client and asked him TO repeat GER
tain portions of the story in order
that he might be doubly sure of a
point.
AS Major Bradley rose to ask the
Jailer TO come and let him out, Dale
muttered downheartedy:
"Tell me, major: what do you think
of my case? 1t looks rather bad,
doesn't it?'
Not bad enough to warrant your
feeling blue over 1t, my boyl" said
Bradley, showing his polished white
teeth in a smile that was meant TO be
reassuring. II think we'll get you out
Of 1t. Anyway, don't worry about it
Worry will kill a cat, they say You
didn't kill Adam Ball. John Moreland
had taught you how TO shoot pretty
well; and If you took even half as
careful an aim as you think you did,
you couldn't have missed Balls hat by
so much.
II have an idea, Dale" he resumed
that If we knew who fired that third
shot we'd know who did for Ball. 1t
might have been done in order TO save
you. Ball was noted, l understand, as
an unfair and tricky fighter. He might
have been trying to trick you when
he rose and fell grooming. Perhaps he
meant to draw you into the open, that
he might have a clean shot at you.
Eh?"
Dale shook his head goomly.
Hardly plausible, major. In that
event there was nothing against the
man whose bullet finished Ball, be-
cause he did 1t TO save me; and he
would have owned TO 1t and prevented
my arrest. A man who liked me well
enough TO kill Ball to save my life
would like me well enough to confess
and save me from suffering for 1t.
am sure of that, major"
"Ah. my boy" smiled the older Of
the two, you don't yet know the noun
tain heart. Jail is terrible thing to
the liberty,loving mountaineer. But
love of you, and love of fair-deallng,
will soon overcome the fear of Jail,
and you will be freed-if what /
strongly suspect proves to be well
founded I'll leave you now, Dale. I'll
see you In the morning, sir. Good
night
When his optimistic attorney had
gone, Dale glanced once more at the
to him miserable line from Dante's