Phoenix tribune., 1923-11-24
The Cross Cut

SAi6lC-JdCh nuihtut1A- - AlCA - oCt vi
the charge. Nobody ever will know
how it happened unless they find the
bullet or the gun. don't care if they
do. ROady wanted me to do it,"
FairchIld started to speak. but the
sheriff stopped him.
''Wait, here's another item:
az failed. l didn't kill either Of
them. They got out someway and
drove out of town tonight. Roady IL
mad at me. He won't come near me.
And I'm so lonesome for himr"
"The explanation - Fairchild al
most shouted it as he seized the book
and read it again. "Sheriff, I've got
to make a confession. My father al
ways thought that he had killed
man. Not that he told me-but l could
guess 1t easily enough, from other
things that happened When he came
to, he found a single-jack hammer
lying beside him, and Larsen's body
across him. Couldn't he naturally be-
lieve that he had killed him while in
a daze? He was afraid Of ROdaine-
that Rodaine would get up lynch
ing party and string him up. Harry
here and Mrs. Howard helped him out
Of town. And this is the explana-
| tion ~
Bardwell smiled quizzically
1T looks like there's going to be
lot of explanations. What time was
it when you. were trapped in that
mine, Harkins?"
"Along about the first Of Novem-
ber."
The sheriff turned to the page. It
was there-the story of Crazy Laura
and her descent into the Blue Poppy
mine. and again the charge of dyna-
mite which wrecked the tunnel. With
little sigh, Bardwell closed the book
and looked out at the dawn, forcing its
way through the binding snow
''Yes, l guess we'll find a lot Of
things In this old book" came at last.
But l think right now that the best
thing any of us can find is little
i Sleep"
Rest-rest for FIVE wearied persons,
but the rest of contentment and peace.
! And late in the afternoon, three Of
them were gathered in the old-fashion-
ed parlor of Mother Howard's board
Ing house, waiting for the return Of
that dignitary from a sudden mission
upon which Anita Richmond had sent
her, involving trip to the old Rich
mond mansion. Harry turned away
from his place at the window.
"The district attorney 'ad long
talk with Barnham," he announced,
land 'e's figured out wye for all the
stock olders In the Silver Queen to get
what's coming to them AS it Is,
they's about 'unnerd thousand short
some 'eres."
Fairchild looked up.
whats the schemeT
ITO call a meeting Of the stock
'Olders and transfer all that money
over to a special fund to buy Blue
Poppy stock. Wen ave to raise money
anyway to work the mine like we
ought to. And it d cost something.
You always ave to underwrite that
sort of thing. l sort Of like 1t, even
If we'd ave to sell stock little be-
low par. It'd keep Ohadi from get
ting bad name and all that nn.
II think so, too." Anita Richmond
laughed. 1T suits me fine"
Fairchild looked down at her and
smiled.
81 guess that's the answer" he said.
"Of course that doesn't include the
Rodaine stock. In other words, we
give lot of disappointed stock
holders par value for about ninety
cents on the dollar But Farrell can
look after all that. He's got to have
something to keep him busy as at
torney for the company"
A step on the Yeranda, and Mother
Howard entered package under her
arm, which she placed In Anlta's lap.
The girl looked up at the man who
stosd beside her.
Il promised" she said. "that I'd
tell you about the Denver road"
He leaned close.
"That isn't all you promised-just
before left you this morning." came
his whispered voice, and Harry, at
the window. doubled in laughter.
"Why didn't you speak it all out Z"
he gurgled. II card every word"
Anita's eyes snapped.
"Well, 1 don't guess that's any
worse than me standing behind the
folding doors listening to you and
Mother Howard gushing like couple
of sick doves!"
''That 'olds me-" announced Harry.
THAT 'olds me. amt got word to
syel"
Anita laughed.
Persons who live in glass houses,
you know. But about this explanation.
I'm going to ask hypothetical ques-
ton. Suppose you and your family
were in the clutches Of persons who
were always trying to get you into
a position where you'd be more at
their mercy. And suppose an old
friend of the family wanted to make
the family present and called up
from Denver for you to come on
down and get it-not for yourself. but
just to have around in case of need.
Then suppose you went to Denver,
got the valuable present and then,
just as you were getting up speed to
make the first grade on Lookout, you
heard shot behind you and looked
around to see the sheriff coming. And
If he caught you, it'd mean lot OF