The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-01-23

They were all silent then q while,
considering this suggestion thai there
had been some man. who was not Win
Haven, near the house when Hubby
died. But In the end Marin Pierce
brushed this matter impatiently aside
Like as not it was a COW you see."
she decided, returning to the attack.
"Or maybe nothing at all. l think
that's all a pack of lies, If you ask
me-" And as she spoke she moved
uncertainty toward the table. But this
uncertainty was, 1t appeared, prerense:
for suddenly her hand licked out like
snakes tongue, and she caught up
the revolver and backed away, holding
it In both hands, her finger on the
trigger. She pointed 1t at Bart, and
Bart protested amiably:
Look out, Granny! That thing will
go OFF,
'It's likely to-" the old woman as
sured him. She appealed to the sheriff.
"There he is, Sheriff." she cried. "You
go ahead and put the handouts on
him! I've got his gum"
But Sohier said in a baffled tone:
"Why ma'am, it looks to me like Carey
here tells pretty straight story, take
it all the way through"
Bart chuckled. Granny, yo're a
wonder" he said in an ironic mirth.
She shook her head, staring at him.
She whispered: Man, l warrant you
was scared enough for a minute, then.
Bold as you be right now"
Sheriff, what do you aim to do?
she demanded in irascible shrill tones.
You going to set there all night? This
is your business, not mine. Stir your
stumps, man!"
Sohier rose and turned to face Bart.
Bart" he said. Il don't mean to say
you had anything to do with this. But
what if you and Will was both to come
along to town and talk it over with the
county attorney there?"
His tone was as though he urged
Bart to humor old Marin Pierce thus
far, and Bart answered agreeably
enough.
"Why, it's foolishness, Sheriff." he
protested. But if it'll favor you, I'll
go. I'll have to stop by my place and
pull down some hay and give the crit
tiers water. They amt been fed to-
night"
Shore" the big man assented. eve
can do that" He looked at Saladine
"Jim, say you drive me and Bart
round there first?" he proposed. "Then
we can come back here and pick up
WILL"
Saladine hesitantly agreed, since
there seemed no better course. Hubby
Ferrin was dead, and doubtless muir
dered; but If Bart were guilty, then he
was an incredibly shrewd and crafty
man: and if he lied, then he was in
credibly apt at mendacity. Marin
Pierce herself appeared to be unsatis-
fed, as though uneasily conscious that
she had failed to prove her case. She
stood with her hand at her mouth,
her head bent; and her brow was fur
rowed with perplexity.
But she said no new word while
the sheriff buttoned his overcoat. and
Bart put his slicker on. Only then she
exclaimed: SHERIFF, there amt a mite
of sense taking Will to East Harborl"
The sheriff hesitated; but Jenny
came to her grandmother's side, touched
the old woman's arm. Its all right,
Granny" she said gently. eff there's
any way he can help, Will he'd want
to CO."
But Saladine suggested: Sheriff,
taking Will along is going to leave
these two women alone here"
Sohier scratched his head. That's
So" he agreed; and he said reluctant
ly: swell, Will, maybe you'd best stay
here tonight. I'll be out again in the
morning."
Whatever you say, Sheriff." win
assented.
Bart said in dry i'll humor: Looks
like the pack of you was bound to lay
this on me. Why sh'd go, any more
than Will? Hubby blamed 1t on him.
Sheriff, you can't get around her own
say-so, it looks to me-"
The sheriff was uncomfortable: but
after a moment Bart In a returning
good humor yielded the point. 81 can |
stand it, though" he said "And VIII |
had ought to stay here with them, at |
that. Zeke's around here somewhere. |
No telling what he might try to do; |
but Will can handle him."
So it was decided. 1t did not occur |
to Saladine till somewhat later that a |
remembered fear of Zeke on his own |
account might have prompted Bart to !
this easy-and surprising-surrender |
Yet Bart, as the event proved, might |
have been justified in welcoming for |
while the protecting custody of the
law.
Bart and the sheriff stepped outside; |
and Saladine, after a word of fare |
we'll, followed them to his car. They |
had taken the rear seat. He cranked |
the engine, and climbed In and turned |
on the headlights. The kitchen door
was open yonder, and viii and Jenny
stood in silhouette against the light, |
their shoulders touching.
Saladine backed the car, preparing |
to turn; but in that last moment, old |
Marin Pierce came bursting through |
the door. brushing Will and Jenny out |
of her way, holding up both hands. |
calling something. Saladine waited.
and she ran across the yard and drew
close beside the car and shouted over
the engines roar:
Sheriff I've got a-hold of the an
swer to 1t now"
Her tone was ringing; her counte-
nance triumphant.
Listen herei' she cried. 'Tf Bart
had left his gun belt, with the bait |
can and the gun, there on the ground