The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-12-12
CHAPTER XVI-Continued

GeorBe-dHu Joe. IOO-cOne ID mere
don't GO" she stammered. She
aalf-dragged. half-led them into the
little parlor. "All stay" she said in a
dry whisper. Joe had run for glass
Of water. and now beside the chair
into which George had put her. and
held It to her lips. Thanks. dear"
she whispered Her eyes moved about
from face to face. and her lips moved
drly. Then suddenly she made q
great struggle, as II for air
MY God she's dyingl" Mrs. Bald
win exclaimed But Ellen herself an
swered her:
mo, auntie-no. I'm all right!"
And tightening one hand on Joe's, and
with the other clinging to George, she
said at last: 1--WE found out who did
II, Georgei l know who fred that
shot !"
A silence spread like fog over
the little sittlng-room They all
looked at her without speaking
"TIl tell you about it" Ellen said.
after another drink of water. 1T
happened mean my learning about
it-half an hour ago. But I didn't
dare do anything until George got
here" She had so far recovered her
composure that she could rise now,
and she spoke in an almost nrrmal
tone. George" she said. 81 want you
to sit here. and Joe and auntie. will
you go back into the back room: just
behind the curtains. so that you can
hear everything" And, as they be-
wilderedly but eagerly obeyed her in
structions, she stepped to the hall
door. and called Lizzie r
Immediately Lizzie came down
stairs, as white as Ellen was. with
Tommy clinging to her hand. The
little boy came running in to his
mother, and Ellen caught him in her
arms.
Here's Uncle George. dearl" she
said Tommy indifferently felt him
self drawn between the mans knees.
George looked dazed at Ellen. Now,
Tom" his mother said casually. 81
want you to do something for me.
And if you do it nicely, I'm going to
read to you Observation-Disclosures
tonight !"
"Will you really. moth?" Tommy
asked, his eyes dancing.
'Yes, | truly will Tommy, I want
you to tell Uncle George about that
night at wheatley Hills, when you
came down-you know--tell him all
about 1t"
Tommy was looking at her with a
guilty child's doubt of his reception.
"Grandpa told me tor he asserted.
in self-defense. 81 was a captain. and
he told me to-"
George glanced at Ellen: they ex-
one look.
ct was telling Tommy little about
the reason why we left Wheatley
Hills" Ellen explained. "And he told
me why he liked Wheatley Hills. Go
on. dear"
Tommy, encircled by Georges arm
had his mouth close to the mans
ear. FIe spoke in half-proud. half
shamed voice.
because I liked to play in his study
And said he let me fire his pistol
And the man and woman ex-
look of CONSERVATION.
Come, A kid like you couldn't |
Hre real pistol" George said scott
ngIy.
well. did fire itw Tommy burst |
mi hoastfully. with two fingers on
he trigger said I was captain
md he said oughtenter be afraid
# my gun. I fired 1t two times. He
old me tot" Tommy illustrated with
, dramatic gesture.
Ellen saw George swallow, with q
iry throat. She heard him whisper
MY God"
But. Tom-how's that? You mean
q tell me you fired the revolver like
hat about the room?" he asked the
hid.
'WelI-a." Tommy stamnered. at
,ever went off those first two times;
didn't make any noise. And he
mid Good boy. old TOMMY"
Ellen caught quick breath. She
lad heard him call the child that q
hundred times.
'He said Good boy =" George re-
,eated. land then you pointed Mt him?'
mo. then he told me about spies.
IL told me all about them. And then
said If you were n spy. grandpa.
d fix your And he said, All right.
IN spy. surrender And he said
0 me must say. Have you anything
D say for--that-," Tommy stumbled.
Why he shouldn't be shot. you know
e explained.
81 see." George said. glancine at
Hen.
$50 | said that, and he said no. he
Idnt have. and ! took the pistol
gain and shot at him. But that
me-" Tommy went on sereneiy. III I
Id go of thought II had burst
nd some smoke came out. And
randIm sat--like this"
He dropped into chair In terrible {
erisimIlItude to the still form they
nd found in the study three months I
20. Ellen glanced again at George:
o was ms pale as she.