Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-15
CHAPTER Iv-The Soldier Finds an
Untrodden Valley
Illustrated By
Dsnnan FINK

had leaned on the excuse that ne wanted
to study the curious freak Of heredity
she presented: but that wore out quickly
and ne let himself drift, content with the
pleasure OF her company and happy IN
the music OF her laughter. Her quick
wit and keen humor delighted him, and
the mystery of her dark eyes seemed
TO hold the poetry and beauty Of all the
red races that lay behind her on the
maternal side. At times he thought OF
her as he had seen her that morning
In the dance-girl's dress. and remembered
the purity Of neck and breast 1t had dis
played, but he attributed that to the same
prank OF heritage that had endowed her
with other traits alien to her mothers
race.
He had experienced a profound sense
OF pity for her upon learning her faith
er's relation to Alluna, but this also
largely vanished when he found that the
girl was entirely obvious TO it's signn-
canoe. He had tried her in many subtle
ways, ana found that she regarded the
matter innocently, as customary, and
therefore In the light Of an accepted con-
vention; nor did she seem to see any
thing in her blood or station to render
her inferior to other women. She ques-
toned him tirelessly about his sister, and
he was glad Of this. for It placed no
constraint between them. So that, as he
explored her many quaint beliefs and
pagan superstitions. the delight Of be-
ing with her grew. and he ceased to rea-
son whittier It might lead him.
AS for her, each day brought a keener
delight She unfolded before the Ken
tuckian like some beautiful woodland
flower, and through innumerable, unno-
ticed famIliarities took him into her in
nermost confidence, sharing with him
1 M nd crf-
rations she had never voiced till now.
A month OF this went by, and then Run
MON returned. He came on an up-going
steamer which painted IN for a rest from
| its thousand-mile climb, and for breath
to continue its fight against the never
firing sweep of waters. The manner Of
his coming was bold, for he stood fairly
upon the ships deck. staring at the grow
ing picture Of the town, as he had watch
ed II recede a month before, and his smile
was evil now as IL had been then. With
him was a stranger. When the boat was
at rest Runnion sauntered down the
gang-plank and UP to the lieutenant, who
stood above the landing place, and who
noted that the scar, close up against his
hatband, was scarce healed. He accosted
the oficer with an insilent assurance.
We'll, I'm back again, you see, and I'm
back to stay"
Very WELL Runnion; did you bring an
outfit with your" The young man ad-
dressed him civilly, although he felt thas
the fellows presence was a menace and
would lead to trouble.
yes. and I'm pretty fat besides" He
shook a well-laden gold-ssck at the on
GER 'T reckon / can rustic thirteen dol
lars a month most anywhere, II I'm left
alone"
What do you want in this place, any
how?' demanded Burrell, curiously.
None Of your damned business" the
man answered. grinning.
BE sure It isn't" restorf~d the lieu
tenant, because It would please me right
down to the ground II it were. I'd like
TO get you"
I'm glad we understand each other"
Runnion said, and turned to oversee the
unloading Of his freight. falling into con-
versation with the stranger. who had
been surveying the town without leaving
the boat Evidently this man had a
voice In Runnion's affairs, for he not
only gave him instructions, but bossed
the crew who handled his merchandise.
and Meade Burrell concluded that he
must be some incoming tenderfoot who
had grub-staked the desperate TO pros
pect in the hills back Of Flambeau. AS
the two came up past him he saw that
he was mistaken-this man was no more
Of a tenderfoot than Runnion; on the
contrary, he had the bearing Of one to
whom new countries are old, who had
trOd the edge Of things all his life.
There was a hint Of the meat-eating ami
NAL about him; his nose was keen and
hawklike his walk and movements those
Of the predatory beast. and as he passed
by, BurreH observed that his eyes were
of a peculiar cruelty that went well with
his thin lips. he was older by far
than Runnion, but, while the latter was
mean-visaged and staggering, the stran-
gers manner was noticeable for its re-
preston.
ImpeIled by an irresistible desire TO
| learn something about the man, the
lieutenant loitered after Runnion and his
companion, and entered the store In time
TO see the latter greet mo Creek Lee,
the prospector. who had come into town
for more food. Both men spoke with
quiet restraint
Nine years since I saw you, Stark"
said the miner. Where you boundT'
THE diggings," replied Stark, as Lee
addressed the stranger.
Mining now?"
"rlo. same old thing. but I'm grub
stalking a few men. as usual One of them
stays here. may open house In Daw-
son II the camp is as good as they say
# IS"
This here's a good place for you"
Stark laughed noiselessly and without
mirth. "Finel There must be hun
dred people living here"
Never mind, you take It from me"
said the miner positively. land get in now
on the quiet. There's something doing"
/ His one sharp eye detected the neuten-
ant close by. so he drew his friend aside
and began talking to him earnestly and
with such evident effect as to alter
Stark's plans on the moment; for when
Runnion entered the store shortly Stark
spoke 20 him quickly. following which
they both hurried back to the steamer
and saw TO the unloading Of much addi-
tional freight and baggage From the
volume and variety of this merchandise,
I Il was evident that Mn Stark would IN
no wise be a burden 10 the community.
Burrell was not sufficiently versed In
/ the ways of mining camps TO know ex-
actly what this abrupt change Of policy
meant. but that there was something In
the air he knew from the mysterious
/ manner OF mo Creek" Lee and from
1 the suppressed excitement OF Doret and
1 the trader. His curiosity got the better
of him finally, and he fell into talk with
/ Lee. inouiring about the stranger by
way of an opening.
That's Ben Stark. knew him back
In the Cassiar country" said Lee.
/ rs he a mining manP
Ill - Il L.