Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-11-05

neither of the men recognized.
Don't be fool, Viola p cried Ken
meth. Leave him to me. Go back
to the house. l will attend to him."
She stopped and lifted her eyes to
stare at the speaker in sheer wonder
and astonishment.
why, you heard what he said. You
heard what he called my mother.
Stand away from him, Kenneth
81 can't allow you to shoot him,
Viola. You will have to shoot me first.
My Cd, child-do you want to have
a mans life-blood on your hands?"
"He said she ran away with your
father" she cried, spasm of pain
crossing her face. HE said l was
born before they were married. l
have right to xiii him. Do you
hear? / have right to-"
Don't you know 1t would be mur-
der? Coldblooded murder? No! You
will have to kill me first Do you un-
derstand? l shall not move an inch.
| am not going to let you do some
thing you will regret to the end of
your life. Put it down. Drop that
gun, say! If there is to be any kill
ing, / will do it-not you r.
She closed her eyes. Her tense
body relaxed. The two men, watch
ing her with bated breath and vastly
different emotions, could almost Wis
ualize the struggle that was going on
within hen. At last the long rifle bar
rel was 10 cred; as the muzzle
touched the gf> nd she opened her
eyes, Slowly they went from Kenneth
to the man who crouched behind him.
She gazed at the bloody face as If see
ing it for the first time
The woman in her revolted at the
spectacle. >After a moment Of inde-
cision, she turned with shudder and
walked toward the house, dragging
the rifle by the stock. AS she was
about to mount the steps she paused
to send a swift glance over her shoul-
der and then, obeying the appeal in
Kenneth's eyes, reluctantly, even care
fully, leaned the gun against post
and disappeared through the door.
"Stand up!" ordered Gwynne, turn
ing to Lapelle. II ought to kill you
myself. It's in my heart to do so. Do
you know what you've done to herf
Barry drew himself up, his fast
swelling, bloodshot eyes filled with
deadly hatred. His voice was thick
and unsteady.
you'd better kill me while you
have the chance" he said. Because,
so help me God, I'm going to kill you
for this"
"Gor' thundered the other his
hands twitching. "If you don't, I'll
strangle the life out of you"
Lapelle drew back, quailing before
the look in Kenneth's eyes. He saw
murder in them.
"You didn't give me chance, d-n
you," he snarled. "You hit me before
I had chance to-"
81 wish to God had hit you sooner.
and that I had killed you," grated
Kenneth.
"You will wish that with all your
soul before / am through with you,"
snarled Barry. "Oh, I'm not afraid OF
you'll 1 know the whole beastly story
about your father and that"
"Stopl" cried Kenneth, taking step
forward, his arm drawn back. mot
another word, Lapellel You've said
enoughl I know where you got your
information-and / can tell you, here
and now, that the man lied to you.
I'm going to give you twenty-four
hours to get out Of this town for good.
And If I hear that you have repeated
a word of what you said to her I'll see
to it that you are strung up by the
neck and your miserable carcass filled
with bullets Oh, you needn't sputter
1t will be your word against mine. l
guess you know which of US the men
of this town will believe. And you
needn't expect to be supported by
your friend Jasper Suggs or the gentle
Mr.. Hawk-Aha, that got under your
pelt, didn't it? If either of them is
still alive at this minute, it's because
he surrendered without a fight and
not because God took care of him.
Your beautiful game Is spoiled, La
pelle-and you'll be lucky to get OF
with a whole skin. I'm giving you a
chance. Get out Of this town-and
stay out"
Barry, recovering quickly from the
shock, made fair show Of bravado.
"What are you talking about? What
the devil have I got to do with"
That's enough You know what
I'm talking about. Take my advice.
Get out of town before you are a day
older. You will save yourself ride
on a rail and rawhiding that you'll
not forget to your dying day."
81 will leave this town when l feel
like 1t, Gwynne," said Lapelle, drawing
himself up. II don't take orders from
you. You will hear from me later.
You've got the upper hand now-with
that niger Of yours standing over
there holding an ak in his hands,
ready to kill me If / make move.