The Argosy, January 1906 — page 96: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Te ny Ome i 298 The judge had cunningly fostered the impression, in his brief conversation from the corridor, that a bullet had really proved young Kalispel’s death; then, undoubtedly, he had counseled with the coroner, and Dexter had been trapped into clearing himself. A confused babel of sound smote on Dexter’s ears. The others in the room were talking among themselves, but he had little interest in what they said. It was only when he heard the creak of an opening door that he started up in passionate vehemence to stay the coro- ner and his jury before they could leave. “Gentlemen,” he said _ brokenly, “permit me a few words before you 6 eae They turned back, touched by the hageard face that met their eyes. Dex- ter’s devotion to one so unworthy of it was something they could not compre- hend; but it was in their power to feel for him in his hour of intense sorrow and disappointment. “Gentlemen,” Dexter proceeded, making a desperate effort to regain his composure, “if you hold Roy Burnham to answer for this crime, you will be guilty before God of a counter-crime ereater than the one that has already been committed. I tell you I know!” He stretched upward a shaking hand to emphasize his words. “Roy is as innocent of Nate Kali- spel’s blood as any man here in this room. It isn’t in the boy to do such a thing. [ have known him longer than you have. For six years the threads of our lives have been interwoven, and he has the high principles and the nobility of character that caused his father to stand head and shoulders above other men. “T tried to shield Roy, not because he is guilty, but because I wished to keep his name unstained and to preserve him from the devilish wiles of Ol Kalispel. Kalispel’s fight is with me, and when he attempts to strike at me over Roy’s shoulders, as he is doing now, it is my right and my duty to intervene. Re- member, you have only circumstantial evidence—the most untrustworthy of all evidence—to influence you. In the opposite scale I want you to lay my Sy ee De ee ne ee a es THE ARGOSY. intimate knowledge of Roy Burnham. Consider my faith and—and 4s Dexter broke off abruptly, turned away, dropped into a chair by a table, and lowered his face in his arms. One by one the coroner and his jury filed out, followed by the two officers, and the door was softly closed on the grief- stricken man they left behind. If the expression of their faces could be taken as an indication, they con- sidered their duty paramount to the hearty good-will they cherished for Dex- ter. Because he took an unreasonable position and held to it was no excuse whatever for their doing likewise. No one appeared to lead Dexter back to his cell, and he fought long with his sorrow. He became aware suddenly that a gentle arm had encircled his neck and that a soft cheek was pressed against his own. “Jim!” whispered a * Dear Jim!” He looked up, startled, and met a pair of brimming blue eyes. “Orah!” he exclaimed, leaning back in his chair. Catching her hand, he stayed the arm she would have with- drawn. ‘“‘Why have you come here, little one? ” “I wanted to see you, Jim,” she an- swered, “and I wanted to thank you for what you tried to do for Roy.” “You need not thank me. I am re- sponsible for Roy’s unhappy situation and should bear the brunt of it.” ‘““T came here to ask you not to do so,” went on Orah, showing a mastery of herself under the circumstances which ‘was a revelation to him. “TIT knew you could not be guilty when your confession was told about the streets of Siwash City last night. I made up my mind then to come here and plead with you,and I have just found that your own confession has freed you. Iam so glad, Jim!” she added softly. He removed her hand from his shoul- der and pushed it from him. “Is it possible,” he asked “ that you think Roy is guilty?” He regretted the words the next in- stant. A stricken ery fluttered from her lips, and she pressed one hand to her heart. sad voice. 3 Eom chook (E(0) im