The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1907-12-01

duty OF every one to abide by it,
well, perhaps it is, but in this coun-
try we consider mans mine as sa- !
cred as his family. We didn't know
what lock and key were in the early
times, and we didn't have any troubles
except famine and hardship. It's diff
ferent now. though. Why, there have
been more claims jumped around here
this spring than in the whole length
and history of the Yukon"
They had reached the hotel, and
Glenister paused, turning to the girl as
the Judge entered. When she started
to follow, he detained her.
ST came down from the hills on pur-
pose to see you. II has been long
week.
Don't talk that way" she interrupt
ed coldly. Il don't care to hear it
''See here, what makes you shut me
out and wrap yourself up in your
haughtiness? I'm sorry for what did
that night. I've told you SO repeated
ly. I've wrung my soul for that act
till there's nothing left but repent
ance.'
cit is not that" she said slowly. Il
have been thinking it over during the
past month. and now that have gain
ed an insight into this life l see that
it wasn't an unnatural thing for you
to do It's terrible TO think of, but its
true I don't mean that it was pardon
able" she continued quickly, for it
wasn't, and | hate you when / think
about it. but l suppose / put myself
into a position to invite such actions
No; I'm sufficiently broadminded not
to blame you unreasonably, and think
could like you in spite of it, just for
what you have done for me. But that
isn't ALL There is something deeper.
You saved my life, and I'm grateful,
but you brighten me always. 1t is
the cruelty in your strength. 1t is
something away back in you-lustful
and ferocious and wild and crouching."
He smiled wryly.
1T is my local color maybe, absorbed
! from this country. I'll try to change,
! though, If you want me to. I'll let
them rope and throw and brand me-
I'll take on the graces of civilization
and put away revenge and ambition
! and all the rest of it If it will make
you like me any better. Why, I'll even
promise not to violate the person of
our claim Jumper if / catch him, and
heaven knows that means that Sam
son has parted with his locks
81 think l could like you if you did,
she said, "but you can't do it. You are
a savage"
There are no clubs nor marts where
men foregather for business in the
north-nothing but the saloon, and this
is all and more than a club Here men
congregate to drink, to gamble and to
traffic.
,m 1t was late in the evening when
Glenister entered the Northern and
passed idly down the row of games,
pausing at the crap table, where be
rolled the dice when his turn came.
Moving to the roulette wheel, he lost a
stack of whites, but at the faro 'lay-
ont.' his luck Was better, and he won a
gold coin on the high card. whereupon
q he promptly ordered a round OF drinks
for the men grouped about him, for
. mality always precedent to oyertures
of general friendship.
, AS he paused, glass in hand. his eyes
i. were drawn to a man who stood close
by, talking earnestly. The aspect OF
the stranger challenged notice, for he
, stood high above his companions. will
, peculiar grace of attitude in place o.
the awkwardness common in men Of
great stature. Among those who wer,
! listening intently to the mans care
a fully modulated tones Glenister recog
! niZed Mexico Mullins, the ex-gamble
who had given Dextry the warning a
: Una1aska AS he further studied thu
: listening group a drunken man stag
gered uncertainty through the wild
. doors of the saloon and, gaining sigh
/ of the tall stranger, blinked. then ar
r preached him, speaking with a lou,
q voice:
= "Well, If faint ole Alec Mcnamara
! How do, We ole pirate:"
r Mcnamara nodded and turned hi
# back coolly upon the newcomer.
2 Don't turn your dorsal fin to me-
l, wan to talk to We"
1t Mcnamara continued his calm dis
) course till he received a vicious whac
l. on the shoulder. Then he turned for
moment to interrupt his assailant'
II gsrrulous profanity:
e Don't bother me. am engaged"
Eye won talf to me. eh? Well, II
ID g01n TO talk TO you, see. l guess you
s. listen If told these people all Emo
IL about you. Turn around here
Ie His voice was menacing and attrac
ed general notice. Observing this, NJ
is Namara addressed him. his wore
he dropping clear. concise and cold:
n Don't talk to me. You are a DRUM
I'll en- nuisance. Go away before SOM
thing happens to you
" Again he turned away. but Il
tie drunken man seized and whirled hi
Is about, repeating his abuse. encourage
5. by this apparent patience.
lg Your pardon for an instant, gentl
,n men," Mcnamara laid large viii
and manicured hand upon the fam
,u sleeve of the miner aud gently escorts
to him through the entrance to the sid
III walk. while the crowd smiled.
As they cleared the threshold. no,
id ever, he clinched his fist without
o. word and, raising it. struck the $
'e- fully and cruelty upon the jaw. Fl
IN victim fell silently. the back Of h
is head striking the boards with holio
to thtunp: then, without even observil
Us how he lay. Mcnamara re-entered t
ur saloon and took M his cOnyerSati