Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-23
CHAPTER Nv

of dependency, for his optimistic
philosophy and his buoyant faith in
the goodness of life forbade 1t. The
arrival of the freight steamer afforded
him some distraction. but there was
only small consignment for the store,
and that was quickly disposed of; SO,
leaving the other citizens of Flambeau
to wrangle over their private merchan-
disc. he went back to his solitary vigil.
which finally became SO unbearable
that lie sought to escape his thoughts,
or ut least to drown them for awhile.
amid the lights and life and laughter
of Stnrk's saloon.
Runnion annoyed him with his volu-
bility, for the news of his good for
tune had fred the man with rcck-
less disregard for money, and lie turn
cd to gaming as the one natural re-
course Of his fix.
1t was shortly after midnight that
Stark came into the place. Poleon
was not too absorbed in his own for
tunes to fail to notice the eXtraordi-
nary ferocity and eXhilaration of the
saloon keeper nor that his face was
keener. his nostrils thinner, his walk
more nervous and his voice more cut
ting than usual when he spoke to Run
MON:
"Come hereW
"I'll be with you when finish this
hand" said the player over his Shout
der.
Come here!" Stark snapped his COM
mand. and Runnion threw down his
cards.
Drawing the reluctant gambler aside,
Stark began to talk rapidly to him,
almost within earshot of Poleon. who
watched them. idly wondering what
Stark had to say that could make Run
Mon start and act so queerly. Well.
1t was their affair. They made n bad
pair to draw to. He knew that Run
MON was the saloon keepers lieuten-
ant and obeyed implicitly his seniors
commands. He could distinguish moth
ing they said, nor was he at all Curl
GUS until knot Of noisy men crowded
up to the bar and. forcing the two
back nearer to the table where he sat,
his sharp ears caught these words
from Runnion's lips:
Not with me! Shed never go with
mel" And Stark's reply:
"She'll go where send her and with
anybody tell her to-"
The Frenchmnn lost what followed,
for a newly dealt hand required study.
He scanned his cards and tossed them
face up before the dealer; then he
overheard Isunnion say:
Its the only one in camp. He
might sell 1t If you offered him
enough" at this Stark called one of
the men Mt the bar aside. and the
three began to dicker.
Not n cent less" the third man an
nounced loudly. ''rhere amt another
Z Peterborough in town.
Going outside. Runnion said again to
Stark:
'She won't so with me, Ben. She
don't like me. You see, l made love
to her, and she got mad and wanted
me killed."
Shell never know who you are un-
til it's too late to turn back" said the
other, land you are the only man
can trust to take her through. | chi
trust you. You owe me too much tc
be crooked"
oh Ill act square with you! But
look here. what's all this about any
how? Why do You want that girl
You said Sou didn't care for her tina
way. You told me SO yourself. Any
way. amt the safest kird of II chap
eron for good looking girl.
Stark laid cold hand ON Itunnion'i
shoulder close up to his neck.
Never mind what | said. She.
mine. and you've got to promise to b.
straight with her. I've trusted you be
fore, and If you're not on the leve
now say so. 1t will save you n lot o
trouble"
"Oh. all right" exclaimed Runniol
testify. Only 1t looks mighty queer.
He melted into the darkness. an,
paced back and forth immtiently. smil
Ing cvilly now and then. consulting hi
watch ut frequent intervals. a blacl
look had begun TO settle on his face
but 1t vanished when Necia came. ant
he met her with smile
81 was afraid yna had weakened.
he said. Everything IL ready ant
waiting. I've got the only canoe III til,
place. Il Peterborough. and hired /,
good oarsmaD to Ent you through. In
structing him to make as fast time IL.
he can and to board the first steame
that overtakes you. Too bad thi.
freighter that just got In isn't goin,
the other way. However. there's linbl
to be another any hour. and If on
doesn't come along you'll find enough
blankets and food in the skiff. so 70,
needn't so ashore You'll be there be
fore you know It,"
Then lie led her out into the dark
ness. and they stumbled down to iht
rivers bank. descending to the gravelly
waters edge. where rows of clumsy
hand sawed boats and polling skiff:
wore chnflng at their painters. The
up river steamer was just clearing.
Stark's low whistle was answered q
uuuutSu SdEuS uelOM, lHu .luGy SeurCu
cd out darker blot that proved to be
mans figure.
rs everything ready?"- he inquired
at which the shadow grunted unintel
Lightly. So. holding Necia by the arm
Stark helped her back to a seat in the
stern.
This man will take you through
he said. You can trust him all right
The oarsman clambered in and ad
justed his sweeps; then Stark laid d
hand on the PROV and showed the light
boat out into the current. calling softly;
"Goodby and good luck"
"Goodby. Mr.. Stark. Thank you ever
SO much." the girl replied. too numb
and worn out to say much or to notice
or care whittier she was bound or who
was her boatman. She had been swept
along too swiftly to reason or fear for
herself any more.
Stark did not return to his cabin, but
went back instead to his saloon, where
II. D-I.