The Coolidge examiner., 1932-10-21

shot at him and left the man for
dead. The impression of that story
upon the tense crowd packing the
square was remarkable. She told
the facts In the simplest possible
way, but many of those listening
were convicted of guilt. The
tragedy that had filed the lives of
these girls had been made possible
because the men and women who
lived near had ostracised them. She
told how Stone had tried to be her
friend and how in the bitterness of
her despair she had pushed him
from her with the others.
did you see Jasper Stark after
Tom McArdle was shotT Wilson
asked.
Yes. He came to the ranch. He
had been there several times to see
my sister Ethel. but | did not know
it till one day found him with her.
He was bullying her TO marry him
with the threat that If she didn't
he would send me to the peniten-
tiary for killing Tom McArdle."
"What did you tell him?"
Told him ] wouldn't buy his ST.
lence at the price of my little sis
ter's happiness, and If he wanted to
tell what he knew he could"
"What did he sayT"
HE started toward her In his
bullying way. l drew a revolver and
drove him off the place.
There was a murmur OF approval
that passed through the crowd like
breeze.
"Had he offered TO keep still
about you If yore sister would mar
ry himT
"Yes."
From Jasper Stark. at the out
skirt Of the crowd, came a hoarse
denial "Tha's q lie."
Wilson whirled on him instantly.
Then why didn't you tell before?
What made you wait two months
before you went to the sheriff with
what you knew?"
II hated to get her into trouble, ."
Jasper retorted. "An' this is the
thanks | get for It,"
"What thanks did you expect
that Miss Clifford would let you
marry her sister for you keepin'
quietf"
Jasper growled. "None O. yore
d-n business" and retired from
the field.
Il don't reckon I've got any
more questions to ask you, Miss
Clifford" Wilson said after low
voiced consultation with his client.
Were sure much obliged for all
the trouble you took to come to
town"
There was a little movement of
those near the edge of the crowd.
Presently II was seen Lhat a girl
was being brought forward as
quickly as a way could be made
for her. The girl was Ethel Clifford.
Il had to come" she told her
sister piteously. II couldn't stay
at the ranch after | read your note.
So | made Tony bring me-"
I'm going TO use her as wit
ness. now she's here" Wilson said.
his eyes shining with the certainty
that his most effective argument
would be this shy-eyed girl.
The girl was so young and sweet,
her Innocent manner so engaging
and childlike. that before she had
given two sentences of her testi-
mony she had won her way into
the hearts of the hard rough men
who crowded the courthouse yard.
II was fortunate for Jasper Stark
that he had vanished from the
scene. Otherwise he might have
been roughly handled.
When the three girls came down
the steps TO leave, lane was made
for them along which they passed
among murmurs of approval.
The only remaining witness was
Dave Stone himself. He looked
round, quiet-eyed and fearless, wait
ing for the examination to begin.
The story he told was the same
one he had narrated to the sheriff
Haskell questioned him briefly, then
waved hand to young McCann.
Wilson led him again through an
account of the shooting.
did you fire In self-defense, to
save yore own life?" he asked al
last.
The Texan hesitated. II did an
/ didn't" he said. "He was reach
in for his gun when | started fol
mine. 1t was him or me. one.
Lookin' at II that way, I'd call II
self-defense. But before that, If
hadn't told him what a low-dowr
onery lobo wolf he was, reckon
there wouldn't of been any CUR
play. | expect | called for a show
down when | served notice I'd xii
him If he troubled the young WON
en- at the sheep ranch any more"
when you fired, was his CUR
outT
"Yes. sir. In the clear"
"He reached for his firStP'