Evening star., 1939-11-26

convictions and facts that are not subject to
proof and not admissible to court.
The governor waited for the sheriff to
speak. Homer Vane swallowed. Il just -
well, call it hunch. That's all. A hunch.
The governor still waited
"Tooler is-a nice fellow" the sheriff
said lamely.
The governor arose and extended his hand
Thank you for calling, Sheriff Vane, he said
in his smoothest public manner. Il shall take
the matter under advisement.
Detective Ragland came to the sherlff's
office two days later, sat on the corner of the
desk and said with mock plaintiveness, Now,
you're a fine pal, Homer. Because us city
police bust the Winston case you get sore ana
beef to the governor. 1t amt our fault II you
want to sit back on a case and let us do the
work. We had to tell the governor as much.
No hard feelings, Homer"
SUsAN returned from the visit with her
sister Rose, and she was thinner, with pink
rims beginning to show at her eyellds. Homer
Vane told himself the thing wasn't bothering
him. He was man to make up his mind about
thing one way or another, and forget it. But
still he found distaste for food, and he was
reluctant to 20 to bed until utterly exhausted.
"You need rest-a vacation Susan told
him. I'VE ought to go away and forget every
thing for awhile
"Yes you're right" he said indefinitely.
Tooler Black was to die at dawn of the
23rd, and the night before that dawn was
something Homer Vane tried not to think
about. That night came. 1t had to come. 1t
came clear and quiet with a moon beauti-
full peaceful night. Homer Vane and Susan
thumbed through magazines. books. the
papers, turned the radio on and OFT.
He went into the bedroom and to the baby's
crib in the corner. One small arm was out OF
the covers, and he tucked it in Susan's steps
sounded softly, and she was beside him. They
looked at the sleeping child for a long time
in the half light. Il think Ill take walk,
Homer Vane finally said.
The only sound of the night was his shoes
beating the pavements. Lights were in the
windows and families behind the windows.
The lights became fewer as the families went
to bed Then for hours, as he walked, there was
but an occasional light as mother got up to
feed her baby, or someone studied or kept on
with mystery novel. Finally the lights OF
early risers blinked on as motormen, cafe
owners, janitors got up to heat and feed and
move the waking city.
Homer Vane was limping now with his
right foot, and there was sickness where
the shoe with each step touched an exquisitely
quick spot. The moon became almost red as
the mountains blackened against deep pur
pie sky. 1t was coming dawn and Vane found
himself on his own street and turning into his
pathway There was a light showing yellow
in window and he saw Susan moving, still
dressed
In that instant Vane knew there was only
one way to peace and that there must be
peace at any cost The decision cleared his
mind.
He went into the house and Susan stopped
her pacing and stood looking at him with
heavy red-rimmed eyes. THE governor
called" she said He said he'd had feeling
that you might have held back some little
thing you might want to tell him before the
execution" Her voice was a fatigue -deadened
monotone; yet her heavy eyes had lurking
cat-like alertness "He said to call back"
"All right" Homer Vane went through the
house and to the garage. He got Susans