The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-10-07
CHAPTER XI-Continued

ened his lips and the Adams apple in
his throat moved up and down spas
medically. "You got a nerve to ask
me that, you id murderer" he got
out at last.
Not for an instant did Wilson re-
lease his fear-filled eyes.
"Were you with Gitner between ten
O'Clock an eleven the morning yore
father was shot?" he repeated steadily.
81 don't remember right now whether
was. Why?"
Where were you at that timer"
Jasper. sweating blood, appealed to
the judge. do have to stand for his
insults, Mr.. Fletcher?"
mot unless they have bearing on
this case. You'll have to show the
connection, Wills"
The defending attorney smiled. He
had got all the effect he wanted, all he
could reasonably hope for. 81 reckon
I'll withdraw the question, Mr.. Fetch
er. Far as I'm concerned the witness
may step down."
Imply Jasper descended. He felt
himself the focus of battery of eyes.
AS his glance lodged eyasively from
one to another he knew they raked
him with a newborn suspicion skill
fully planted in their minds. Beneath
the shock of it he quailed.
Ann Clifford was the third witness.
Julia stood beside her while she testi-
fed. 1t was impossible for her to tell
her story without emotion, especially
that part of it which referred to her
sister Nora.
Once Julia, her arms around the
young woman, interrupted in low
voice. Does she have to tell this
here, Mr.. Fletcher"
The lawyer answered gently. "a
life is at stake. think she had better
tell what she knows"
So Ann told the story, from the day
when her sister first met Tom McArdle
to the morning when she shot at him
and left the man for dead. The i'm
preston of that story upon the tense
crowd packing the square was re-
markable. She told the facts in the
simplest possible way. but many Of
those listening were convicted of guilt.
The tragedy that had filled 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 de-
spair she had pushed him from her
with the others.
did you see Jasper Stark after Tom
McArdle was shot?" Wilson asked.
Eyes. He came to the ranch. He
had been there several times to see
my sister Ethel, but / did not know 1t
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 10 the penitentiary for killing
Tom McArdle."
what did you tell him?"
"Told him l would't buy his silence
at the price Of my little sisters unhap-
piness, and If he wanted to tell what
he knew he could"
what did he say?"
''He started toward her in his bully
ing way. l drew revolver and drove
him off the place"
There was a murmur Of approval
that passed through the crowd like q
breeze.
Had he offered to keep still about
you if yore sister would marry him?"
"Yes."
From Jasper Stark, at the outskirt
Of the crowd, came a hoarse denial.
'.Tha's a lie."
Wilson whirled on him Instantly.
'Then. why didn't you tell before?
What made you wait two months be-
fore you went to the sheriff with what
you knew"
81 hated to get her into trouble"
Jasper retorted. SAN this is the
thanks get for it."
what thanks did you expect-that
Miss Clifford would let you marry her
sister for you keepin' quiet?"
Jasper growled, "None o. yore d-n
business" and retired from the field.
81 don't reckon I've got any more
questions to ask you. Miss Clifford, -
Wilson said after low-voiced consulta-
ton with his client. "We're 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 it was seen that a girl was
being brought forward as quickly as
a way could be made for her. The girl
was Ethel Clifford.
II had to come" she told her sister
piteously. II couldn't stay at the
ranch after / read your note. So |
made Tony bring me-"
"Pm going to use her as a witness,
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 testimony 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, waiting for
the examination to begin.
The story he told was the same one
he had narrated to the sheriff. Has
kell questioned him briefly. then waved
a hand to young Mccain.
Wilson led him again through an