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Show THE TIMES-NEW- NEP1II, UTAH S, VIOLA GWYN By GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEOM Copyright by Dofld, Mead CHAPTER XVIII -1- 2-i , The Prisoners. The gruesome cavalcade wended Its way townward. Moll Hawk sat between the sheriff and Cyrus Allen on the springless board that served as a seat atop the lofty sideboards of the The crude wooden wheels wagon. rumbled and creaked and jarred along the rond, Jouncing the occupants of the vehicle from side to side with unseemly playfulness. Back In the bed of the wagon, under a gajiy colored Indian blanket, lay the outstretched body of Jasper Suggs, seemingly alive and responsive to the Jolts and twists and turns of the road. The rear end gate had been removed and three men sat with their heels dangling outside, their backs to the sinister, unnoticed who traveler "shared accommodations with them. The central" figure was Martin Hawk, grim, saturnine, silent, his feet and hands secured witii leather thongs. Trotting along under his heels, so to speak, were his three dogs their tongues hanging out, their tails drooping, their eyes turning neither to right nor left. They were his only friends. Some distance behind rode three horsemen, leading as many riderless steeds. On ahead was another group of riders. Rachel Carter rode alongside the wagon. Moll had firmly refused to wear the older woman's cape. She had on a coat belonging to one of the men and wore a flinsy, bonnet that once had been azure blue. Her shoulders sagged wearily, her back was bent, her arms lay limply upon her knees. She was staring bleakly before lier over the horses' ears, at the road ahead. The reaction had come. She had told the story of the night, haltingly but with a graphic Integrity that left nothing to be desired. Martin Hawk had spent a black and unhappy hour. He was obliged to listen to his daughter's story and, much to his discontent, was not per mitted to contradict her In any particular. Two or three mournful attempts to reproach her for lying about her own and, he always added, her only father, met with Increasingly violent adjurations to "shut up," the hist one being so emplmtic that lie gave" vent to a sharp howl of pain and began feeling with his tongue to see if all his teelh were there. It was after eight o'clock when the wagon and Its escort entered the out- skirls of the town. Martin Hawk was lodged In the recently completed brick, jail adjoining the courthouse. lie complained bitterly of the Injustice that permitted his daughter, a confessed murderess, to enjoy the hospitality of the sheriff's home, whilst he, accused of nothing more heinous than was flung into jail and subjected to the further indignity of being audibly described as n fit subject for the whipping post, an institution that still prevailed despite a general movement to abolish It throughout the state. It galled him to hear the fuss that was being made over Moll. Everybody seemed to be taking her part Why, that Gwyn woman not only went so fur as to say she would be responsible for Moll's appearance In court, but actually arranged to buy her a lot of new clothes. And the sheriff patted her on the shoulder and loudly declared that the only thing any Judge or jury could possibly find her guilty of was criminal the Job. negligence In only This was supplemented by a look that left no doubt In Martin's mind as to Just what he considered to be the neglected part of the Job. He bethought himself of the one powerful friend he had In town Harry Lapelle. So he sent this message by word of mouth to the suspected dandy : "I'm In Jail. I want you to come and see aie right oil. I mean business." Needless to say, this message, conveying a far from subtle threat, was a long time In reaching M". Lapelle, who . bad gone Into temporary retirement at Jack Trintmiin's slianty, having arrived at that unsavory retreat by n roundabout, circuitous mule which allowed him to spend some time on the bank of a sequestered brook. Meanwhile Hnchel Carter approached her own home, afoot and weary. As she turned the bend she was surprised find not a little disturbed by the sight of Kenneth Gwjnne standing at her front gate, lie hurried up the road to meet Irer. "The worst has come to pass," he Announced, Mopping In front of her. "Before you go In I must tell you just . what happened here this morning. Cnie In here liinong the trees where we ran't he seen from the house." She listened Impassively to his story. Only the expression In her'stendy, unswerving eyes betrayed her Inward concern and agitation. Not once did she Interrupt him. Her shoulders, he observed, drooped n Utile and her arms hung limply at her side, mute evidence of it sinking heart and the resignation that comes with defeat. "1 nm reaily and willing." he assured her at the end. "to do nnythlng. to say Anything yea wish It U possible for deep-rutte- d deep-hoode- d sheep-stealin- half-doin- g us to convince her that there is no truth In what he said. We can lie " She held up her hand, shaking her head almost angrily. "No! Not that, Kenneth. I cannot permit you to lie for me. That would be unspeakable. I am not wholly without honor. There Is nothing you can do for her for either of us at present. Thank you for preparing me and for your offer, Kenneth. Stay away from us until you have had time to think it all over. Then you will realize that this generous Impulse of yours would do more harm than good. Let her think what she will of me, she must not lose her faith in you, my boy." "But what of her?" he expostulated. "What are you going to say to her when she asks you " "I don't know," she interrupted, lifelessly. "I nm not a good liar, Kenneth Gwynne. Whatever else you may say or think of me, I I have never wilfully lied." & Company. Ino. looked out Her lips curled a little. "Most of them people has been stand-in- ' out yonder sence nine o'clock, tryln' to see what sort of lookln' animal I am, Mr. Gwynne. Hain't nobody got any work to do?" "Vulgar curiosity, nothing more," said he, joining her at the window. " 'Tain't ever' day they get a chance to see a murderer, is it?" she said, lowering her head suddenly and putting a hand to her quivering chin. For the first time she seemed on the point of breaking down. lie made haste to exclaim, "You are not a murderer. You must not think or say such things, Miss Hawk." She kept her head down. A scarlet wave crept over her face. "I I wish Mr. you wouldn't call me that, Gwynne. lilt hit makes me feel kind o Kind o' lonesome-like- . Jest as ef I didn't have no friends. Call me Moll. That's all I am." He studied for a moment the face of this girl of the forest, lie could not help contrasting it with the clear-cudelicate, beautifully modeled face of another girl of the dark frontier Viola Gwyn. And out of this swift estimate grew a new pity for poor Moll Hawk, the pity one feels for the vanquished. "You will be surprised to find how many friends you have, Moll," he suld gently. There was no Indication that she was impressed one way or the other by this remark. She drew back from the window and faced him, her eyes keen and searching. "Do you reckon anybody Is listen- in ? she asked. i mink not In fact, I am sure we are quite alone." "Well, this is somethin' I don't keer to have the shurreff know, or anybody else, Mr. Gwynne. Hits about Mr. La pelle." Yes?" he said, as she paused warily. "Mrs. Gwynne she tole me this morn-lthat whatever I said to my lawyer would be sacred an' wouldn't ever be let out to anybody, no matter what It wuz. She said It wuz ag'inst the code er somethin'. Wuz she right?" in a sense, yes. ur course, yon must understand. Moll, that no honest lawyer will obligate himself to shield a criminal or a fugitive from justice or I may as well say to you now that If you expect that of me I must warn yc:i not to tell me anything. You would force me to withdraw as your counsel. i wuz oniy ininKin metiny rou could see your way to do somethin wuz goln' to ask. I jest wanted to git word to Mr. Lapelle." "Mr. Laiiclle and I are not friends, half-averte- d She started away, but after a few steps turned back to him. "Jasper Suggs Is dead. Moll Hawk killed him last night. She has been arrested. There is nothing you can do for Viola at present, bur you may be able to that poor, unfortunate help girl. Suggs told her about me. She will keep the secret; Go and see the sheriff at once. He will tell you all that has happened." Then she strode off without another word. He watched the tall, black figure until It turned in at the gate and was lost to view, a sort of stupefaction gripping him. Presently he aroused himself and walked slowly homeward. As he passed through his own gate he looked over at the windows of the room in which Viola had sought seclusion. The curtains hung limp and motionless. He wondered what was taking place inside the four walls of that room. Out of the maze into which his thoughts had been plunged by the swift procession of events groped the new and disturbing turn in the affairs of Kaehel Carter. What was back of the untold story of the slaying of Jasper Suggs? What were the circumstances? Why had Moll Hawk killed the man? Had Bachel Carter figured directly or indirectly In the tragedy? He recalled her significant allusion to Isaac Slain the night before and his own rather startling Inference and now she was asking him to help Moll Hawk In her hour of tribulation. A cold perspiration started out all over him. The question persisted : What was back of the slaying of Jasper Suggs? He gave explicit and peremptory directions to Zachariah In ci. :e Mrs. Gwyn asked for him, and then set out briskly for the courthouse. By this time the news of the murder had spread over the town. A crowd had gathered In front of Scud-der'- s establishment. undertaking Knots of men and women, disregarding traffic, stood In the streets adjoining the public square, listening to some qualified narrator's account of the night's expedition and the tragedy at Martin Hawk's. Kenneth hurried past these crowds and made his way straight to the office of the sheriff. Farther down the street a group of people stood In front of the sheriff's house, while In the of the little Jail an mob was collecting. A friend espied him. "I've been over to your office twice, young man," he announced as he came up. "Where the devil have you been keepln' yourself? Mrs. Gwyn left word for you to come right up to her house. She wants you to take charge of the Hawk girl's case. Maybe you don't know It, but you've been engaged to defend her." Kenneth accompanied the sherlfT to the latter's home for an Interview with his client. He had promptly consented to act as her counsel ufter hearing the story of the crime from the sheriff. After considerable persuasion on the part of the sheriff and his kindly wife, Moll repented her story to Gwynne. She was abashed before this elegant young man. A shyness and confusion that had been totally lnck-InIn her manner toward the other and older men took possession of her now, and It was with difficulty that she whs Induced to give him the complete details of all that took place In her father's cabin. When he shook hnnds with her as he wns about to lake his departure, she suddenly found courage to say: "Kin I see you alone fer a couple of minutes. Mr. Gwynne?" "Certainly, Miss Hawk." he replied, "I tin sure Mr. gravely courteous. and Mrs. " 'Come right In the sitting rurm Mr. Owynne." Interrupted He housewife, busting over to open the door. Moll stared blankly at her compel. No one had evcrcallfd her Miss Hnwh before. She was not qnlie sure Ihnt she had heard aright. Could It lie possible that this grand young gentle-mahad called her Miss llnwk? Still wondering, she followed Mm out of the kitchen, sublimely unconscious of the ridiculous figure she cut In the garments of the older woman. "Shut the door," sh said, ss her eyes swept the room. keen, wood-wnrShe crossed swiftly to the window and g g n y t, n' Moll." "That Is what I said." "Then, whut did you warn hlra to git uwuy fer?" He was thinking rapidly. "I did It on account of Miss Gwyn, Moll," he replied, evasively. "Io you thiuk he'll go?" she asked, a fierce mite of nuxlety lu her voice. "That remains to be seen." Then he hazarded: "I think he will when he finds out that your futher has been arrested." "He's been a good friend to me, Mr. Gwynne. Mr. Lapelle has," said she, a little huskily. she waited a moment and then went on earnestly anu with gairuiousness that amazed him: "1 don't keer whut he's done that ain't right, er whut people is goln' to say aoout mm, lie's alius been nice to me. guess mebby vou air a wonderln' way I tole Ike Stain about hlra Ug- gerin on carryin' Miss Gwyn away. uni look very friendly, I guess. "it wuzn t becu'se I thought I might git him fer myself some time no, hit wuzn t that, Mr. Gwynne. I ain't seteh a fool as to think he could ever want to be sparkin' me. I reckon Ike Stain tole ye 1 wuz Jealous. Well, I wuzn't i declare to goodness I wuzn't. Hit wuz becu'se I jest couldn't 'low her to git married to him. knowln' whut I do. I uuz tryin' to make un mv mind to go see her some time un' toll her not to marry him, but I Jest couldn't seem to gif the spunk to do It. She used to come to see me when I wuz sick last winter an' she wuz mighty nice to me. First thing I know, him an' Pap begin to fix up this plan to carry her off. So I started un to town to tell her. I pot as fer as Ike's when I flg- gcred I better let him do It, him bein' a man, so I drapped in ut his cabin an' tole him. I didn't know whut else to do. I had to Stoll 'em from (loin' It somehow. Hit wouldn't do no good fer me to beg I'ap to drap It, er to rare up on my hind-leg- s an' make threats ag'inst 'em, ca'se they'd soon put a Stop to that. Course I had It all fig- gered out whut I wuz goin' to do when tliet pack o' rascals got caught tryin' to steal her some of 'era shot, like as not and I didn't much keer whuther my I'ap wuz one of 'em er ner, and also perfect the details with not. I knowed where Mr. Lapelle wuz to meet 'cm down the river acrosst from Le Grange, so I was figuerin' on findiu' him there an' tellin' him whut had happened an' fer hlra to make his escape down the river while he had setch a good start. I wuzn't goin' to let anything happen to Miss Vloly Gwyn ef I could help It. I I sort of figgered it out as a good way to help both o' my friends, Mr. Gwynne, an' an' then this here thing happened. I want Mr. Lapelle to git away safe ca'se I know whut Tap's goin' to do. He's goin' to blat out n lot o' things. He says he's sure Mr. Lapelle put Mrs. Gwyn up to havln' him arrested." I think you may rcsr easy, Moll," said he, a trifle grimly. "Mr. Lapelle had an engagement with me for tomorrow morning, but I'll stake my life be will not be here to keep It." All right," she said, satisfied. "Ef you say so, Mr. Gwynne, I'll believe It Whut do you think they'll do to Tap?" He will probably get a dose of the whipping-post- , for one thing." She grinned. "Gosh, I wish I could he some-ere- s about so's I could see It," she cried "Is It becn'se of whut I asked Ike Stain to tell ye?" CHAPTER XIX "Partly." "I mean about stealin' Miss Vloly Challenge and Retort. Gwyn an' takin' her away with hlra?" Kenneth could hardly contain him "I want to thank you, Moll, for sending me the warning. It was splendid self until the time came for him to go home for his noonday meal. Try as of you." "Oh, I didn't do It been se " she he would, he could not divorce his began, somewhat defiantly, and then thoughts from the trouble that had come to Viola. The sinister tragedy in Martin Hawk s cuhln was as noth ing compared to the calumlty that had befallen the girl he loved, for Moll Hawk's troubles would pass like a whiff of the wind, while Viola's would endure to the end of tinier always a shadow hanging over her brightest day, a cloud that would not vanish Out of the silence had come a murmur more desolating that the thunderbolt with all Its bombastic fury; out of the silence had come a voice that would go on forever whispering Into her ear an unlovely story. A crowd still hung Hbout the Jail and small, groups held sober discourse In front of business He hurried by them and places. struck off tip the road, his mind so Intent upon what lay ahead of Mm that he failed to notice that Jack Trentman had detached himself from the group In front of the undertaker's and was following swiftly after him. home when We was nearly half-walie turned. In response to a call from behind, and beheld the gambler. "I'd like a word with you. Mr. Gwynne," drawled Jack. "I nm in somewhat of a hurry " ever-shiftin- g Mr. "Well What Ef I Do?" cloned her lips lightly. The sulleu look caine back Into her eyes. 'I understand. You you like him yourself. "Well what ef I do?" she burst out. 'Hit's my lookout, ain't It?" "Certainly. I am not blaming you. I guess there nln t no ue tnlkln she said flatly. "You any more, wouldn't do whut I want ye to do any bow, so what's the sen1 of askin e better go buck to the you. kitchen." "It msy console you to hear that have already told Mr. I.npelle thai he must get out of this town before to morrow morning," said he deliberate ly. "And stay out I" She leaned forward, her face bright- ening. "You tide him to git away to she night eagerly, thought you said you wuso't a friend a' lilsn." "111 wniK lining with you, ir you don i iiiiici, Fiim no- iii hit, coming up beside him. T in not in the habit of When I've beating almut tne bush. 1 do If without pot anything to do. much fiddling. Harry I.npelle Is down nt my place, lie has n ed me to rep resent him In a little controversy that seems to call for physical adjudica tion. How will day after tomorrow at five In the morning suit you?" -Perfectly." replied Kenneth, stiffly. ('envey my compliments to Mr. La f " him that I overlook pelle snd the Irregularity and will hp Knd to meet him at any time and any place "J know It s Irrecnlar," admitted Mr. Trenminn. with an apologetic wave of the band, "but he wns In some doubt as to who might have the honor to act for you. Mr. Owynne, so he sag gested that I come to you direct If you will oblige me with the name of the friend who If to set os your second, I will make a point of apologizing tor Laving accosted you In this man him." I haven't given the matter a mo ment's thought," said Kenneth, frowning. "Hay after tomorrow morning, you say?" Yes, sir." Can't you arrange It for tomorrow morning?" Mr. Trentman sprend out his hands In a deprecatory manner. "In view of the fact that you are expected to appear in court ut nine tomorrow morning to defend an unfortunate girl, Mr. Lapelle feels that he would be doing your client a very grave injustice If he killed her lawyer er a trille prematurely, you might say. He has con- s fided to me that he is the young woin-un'friend and can't bear the thought of having her chances Jeopardized by" "Pardon me, Mr. Trentman," Interrupted Kenneth shortly. "Both of you are 'uncommonly thoughtful and considerate. Now that I am reminded of my pleasant little encounter with Mr. I.npelle this morning, I am constrained to remark that I have had all the satisfaction I desire. You niny say to him that I am a gentleman and not in the habit of fighting duels with horse- thieves." Mr, Trentman started. His vaunted aplomb sustained a sharp spasm that left hlra with a slightly fallen Jaw. . "Am I to understand, sir, that you are referring to my friend as a horse thief?" he demanded, bridling. "I merely asked you to take that message to him," sntd Kenneth coolly. "I might add cuttle thief, sheep stealer, hog thief or " Why, good G d, sir," gasped Trentman, "he'd shot you down like walking than when stumilng still. But now he strode along briskly in fact, with such lively decision that for once In his life he appeared actually to be going somewhere. As he rounded the corner and came In sight of the Jail, he directed a fixed, consuming glare upon the barred wind dows; a quite uotlceable scowl upon his ordinarily unruffied brow the scowl of one searching Intently, even apprehensively. He was troubled. His composure wus sadly disturbed. Kenneth Owynne had given him something to think about and the more ho thought about It the faster lie walked. He was perspiring quite freely nnd he wns a little short of breath when he flung oien the door and entered his "den of In iquity" down by the river. He took In at a glrnce the three men seated at a table In a corner of the somewhat commodious "enrdroom." One of thera was dealing "cold hands" to his comA fourth man. his dfaler, panions. was leaning against the window librae, g gazing pensively down upon the river. Two of the men at the table were newcomers In town. They hud come up on the Kevere and they bad already established themselves In his estimation as "skeletons"; that Is, they hud been picked pretty clean by when set-tie- slow-movin- 'in1''7" nt I" a dog If "You might also tell Mr. Lapelle that his bosom friend Martin Hawk Is In Jail." "Well, what of It?" "Does Lapelle know that Martlu Is in jail?" "Certainly and he says he ought to be hung. That's what he thinks of Hawk. A man that would sell his own " "Hawk Is in jail for stockstealing, Mr. Trentman." "What's that got to do with the case? What's that got to do with your culling my friend a horse thief?" "A wholo lot, sir. You will prob-abl- y find out before the day Is over that you ore harboring and concealing a thief down there In your shanty, and you may thank Martin Hawk for the information in case you prefer not to accept the word of a gentleman. If you were to come to me as a client seeking counsel, I should not hesitate to ndvise you as your lawyer that there Is a law against harboring criminals nnd that you are laying yourself open to prosecution." Trentman dubiously felt of his chin. "Being well versed in the law," be said, "I suppose you realize that Mr. Lapelle can recover henvy damages against you In case what you have said to me isn't true." "Perfectly. Therefore, I repeat to you that I cannot engage In an affair of honor with a thief. I knocked him down this morning, but that was In the bent of righteous anger. For fear that your report to him may lead Mr. Lapelle to construe my refusal to meet him day after tomorrow morning ns cownrdlce on my part, permit me to make this request of you. Please say to him that I shall arm myself with a pistol ns soon as I have reached my house, and that I expect to be going about the streets of Lafayette as usual." "I see," said Trentman, after a moment "You mean you'll be ready for him in case he hunts you up." "Exactly." "By the way, Mr. Gwynne, have you ever fought a duel?" "No." "Would It Interest you to know thnt Mr. Lapelle has engaged In several, with disastrous results to his adversaries?" "I think he has already mentioned something of the kind to me." "I'd sooner be your friend than your enemy, Mr. Owynne," said the gambler earnestly. "I am a permanent citizen of this town and I have no quarrel with you. As your friend, I am obliged to Inform you that Barry Lapelle is a dead shot and as quick as lightning with a pistol. I hope you will take this In the same spirit thnt It Is given." "I thank you, sir," said Kenneth, courteously. "By the way, do you hap. pen to have a pistol with you at present, Mr. Trentman?" The other looked ot him keenly for a few seconds before answering. "I have. I seldom go without one." "If yqu will do me the kindness to wnlk with me up to the woods beyond the lake and will grant me the loan of your weapon for half a minute, I think I inny be able to demonstrate to you thnt Mr. Lapelle Is not the only dead shot In the world. I was brought up with o pistol In my band, so to sjieak. Have you ever tried to shoot a ground squirrel at twenty paces? You have to be pretty quick to do that, you know." Trentman shook bis head. "There's n lot of difference between shooting a ground squirrel and blazing away nt fi man who Is blazing nt you nt the same time. I'll take your word for the ground squirrel business, Mr. Owynne, and bid you good day." "My regrets to your principal and my apologies to you, Mr. Trentman," said Kenneth, lifting bis hat. The gambler raised bis own lint. A close observer would have noticed a troubled, nrnious glenm In tils eye as he turned to retrace his steps In the direction of the square. It wns his g custom to saunter slowly when the streets of the town, as one who produces his own Importance and enjoys it leisurely. He never hurried. lit loitered rather more gracefully trar-ersln- rif 1 ' ; A -. i V il 4 Martin's in Jail for Stealing." He gravitating to his "boneyard." considered himself a good judge or men, and be did not like the looks ot this pair. He bad made up his mind thnt he did not want theni hanging around the "shanty"; men of that stripe were Just the sort to give the place a bad name! fine of them had recalled' himself to Barry Lapelle the night before; said he used to work for a trader down south or somewhere. Without the ceremony of a knock on the door, Mr. Trentman entered a room at the end of the shanty, ami there he found Lapelle reclining on a cot. Two narrow slits in a puffed of purple grading off to a greenish yellow indicated the position of Hurry's eyes. The once resplendent dandy was now a sorry sight. "Say," began Trentman, after he had closed the door, "I want to know Just how things stand with you and Martin Hawk. No beating about the bushf Barry. J want the truth and nothing else." Barry raised himself on one elbovr and peered at bis host "WliQt ara you driving at Jack?" he demanded, throatily. "Are you mixed up with him In this business?" "Well, that's a h I of a question to ask "It's easy to answer. Are you?" "Certainly not nnd I ought to put a bullet through you for asking such an Insulting question." "He's In Jail, charged with stealing sheep and culves, ond he's started to talk. Now, look here, Lapelle, I'm your friend, but If you are mixed up lu this business the sooner you get out of here the better It will suit me, Wolt a minute! I've got more to sny. ( know you're planning to go down on the boat tomorrow, but I don't believe It s soon enough. I've seen Owynne. He says In plain English that he won't fight a'duel with a horse thief. He must have some reason for saying that lie has been employed as Moll Hawk's lawyer. She's probably been talking, I've been thinking pretty hard too. the last ten minutes or so, nnd I'm beginning lo understand why you wanted me to arrange the duel for day after tomorrow when you knew you were leaving town on the llevere In the morning. You were trying to throw I thought at Gwynne off the truck. first It was because you were afraid to light him. but now I see things differently. I'll be obliged to you If me you'll come straight outa nnd tell man square what's In the air. I'm nnd I like to know whether I'm dealing with square men or not." Lapelle sat up suddenly on the edge of the bed. Somehow, it seemed to Trentinan, the greenish yellow had spread lightly over the rest of his face, "You. say M.irtin's In Jail for stealing?" he asked, gripping the corn-iusbedtiik with Wise, nervous flutters, "and hot In connection with the kllW Inn of Suggs?" "You Say se stock-runnin- a" (TO Bit rONTINUKtJ.t Too Gay for a Widow. Saleswoman "Madam, I know your husband would go wild over this but." Customer "Yes. and drop dead over the bill, snd then 1 couldn't wear It" Boston Transcript |