The Coolidge examiner., 1935-07-12

FF0bNHkfy oN1 SfNc0 F1Gf Y act
Upward 10 Him.
Bishop into a aghi tha, would al
most certainly have ended Bishops
llfe: and he was sure that Jim
Humphreys had been killed because
be bad posed as boss--and hence
was perhaps taken for Bishop. lie
had a durable hunch that others
we're In immediate danger as an
aftermath 10 the killing OF Mason
And he sincerely believed that he
had no more right 10 turn away
from the trail than a hound dog
has the right TO swerve or break
ground. once be has put down his
nose
what Is holding me upf" he re-
peated You. Jean"
"IY~ she said sharply.
Don't you think" be sald. that
It's about time for you 20 tell me
what you kuow7 You didn't take
the bulle; az the inquest without
having a definite reason. a definite
theory of this crime
She said almost inandlbly "Yes:
that's true But that blew up when
Zack Sanders was found dead
swear 20 you. Kentucky theory
l. dead-u,terly Impossible new"
''Tha, isn't the point" be insisted.
The point Is that you dld have
theory. That theory was based on
something. Something that you
sawf or maybe something that you
heard. or knew. Now I want you 70
tell me what that thing was"
She turned toward him. but de-
fensiyeiy; and as she me, his eyes
her own were tormeuted You
T."
His keen gray eyes fixed her un-
waveringly I'm not going 10 let
you egade me any more" he said
Suddenly some resistance within
Jean Ragland seemed TO break She
swayed against him. and turning.
hid her face against his shoulder
She was breathing In long quaver.
Ing drags: not sobblng. but as II
very close 10 sobs.
For a moment Kentucky Jones
sat motionless Then he took the
girl into his arms. gently. as II she
were weary child.
Her hands clung 10 him as ne
drew her into his arms. She said
In a small voice. Hold me tight.
Kentucky. The night IL so still.
go cold keep thinking OF how
Jim Humphreys Is lying tonight
down on the Pan" Presently she
turned her face upward 10 him
with closed eyes and he kissed her.
They sat there for some time.
there In the corner beyond the
stove, In silence except for the soft
cracking Of the embers OF the fire
AS be sat with the girl In his arms
the coldness and the bleak sense
OF disaster seemed 10 90 out Of the
night, and the quiet lost its hostil-
ity. That brief hour In which he
felt against his body the faint beat
Ing OF her heart seemed llllmltably
precious; as If he were here serv-
Ing as a utility for a little while
in a destiny lmmeasurably beyond
and above bis own.
Yet he had no illusions concern
ing the part he was playing here
He believed as definitely as he had
ever believed anything in his life,
that she had put herself In his arms
as a last notwithstanding his ques-
tions In this way when she could
not longer otherwise evade him. But
some grim factor within him humbly
bowed it's head. waiting for DIFF
ferent day.
Jean stirred at last and freed
herself lazily from his arms. She
smiled at him family. her eyes
dreamy, misty with sleepiness. I'm
dead for Sleep" she told him: Il
think I can sleep now-better than
7 have been. these nights"
He let her go. and when she was
gone he smoked in a curiously mixed
mood. half softened. half grimly
ironIc. Presently he went to Zack
Sanders bunk. and lying down
without taking off his clothes. was
almost Immediately asleep.
ITO Pc CONTINUED