Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-01


thing, l want those mines Of hers,
I'm her father, and she's not Of age.
I'll take them anyway as her next Of
kim"
Burrel did not follow up this state
ment, for Its truth was incontroverti-
BILE, so he continued:
''Well adjust that after Gale is at
tended to. But meanwhile what do
you want me to do?"
II want you to arrest the man who
killed my wife. II you don't take him
the miners will I've got following
In this camp, and I'll raise crowd in
fifteen minutes-enough to hang this
Equaw man or batter down your bar
racks to get him. But don't want to
do that. want to go by the law
you've talked so much about. I want
you to do the trick"
At last Burrell saw the gamblers
deviltry. He knew Stark's reputation
too we'll to think that he feared a
meeting with Gale. Stark had plan
ned his settlement coldly and with de-
liberate malice. Moreover, he was
strong enough to stand aside and let
another take his place and thus deny
to Gale the final recourse OF a hunted
beast, the desperate satisfaction that
the trader cfaved. He tied his enc
my's hands and delivered him up with
his thirst unsatisfied-to whom? He
thrust weapon into the hand Of his
other enemy and babe this other enc.
my use ft-worse than that, forced
him to strike the man he honored,
the man he loved Burrell never
doubted that Stark had carefully
weighed the effect Of this upon Necia
and had reasoned that girl like her
could not understand soldiers duty
II it meant the blood OF a parent. If
he refused to act the gambler could
break him, while every effort he made
to protect Gale would but increase the
others satisfaction. There was no
chance Of the traders escape. Stark
held him In his hand. Was it impos-
sible, the lieutenant wondered, to
move this man from his purpose?
"Have you thought Of Necia? She
loves Gale. What effect will this have
on herr"
"D-n her! She's more his brat than
mine. I want John Gaylord!"
At this a vicious frenzy overlook
Burrell, and he thought Of the man be-
hind yonder door, whom he had for
gotten. Well, why not? These two
men had stalked each other clear into
the faHthest places, driven by forces
that were older than the hills. Who
was he to stand between such pas
sions?
The gamblers words rang in his
ears-"I want John Gaylord"-and be-
fore he knew what he was doing he
had answered, every we'll; I'll give him
to you," and crossed quickly to the
door Of his bedroom and flung it open.
On the threshold he paused stockstill.
The place was empty. A draft sucked
through the open window, flirting with
the curtain and telling the story of the
traders exit.
"If you're looking for your coat, it's
here" he heard Stark say. Get into
it, and we'll go for him."
The neutenant's mind was working
fast enough now, in all conscience, and
he saw with clear and fateful eyes
whittier he was being led, at which q
sudden reckless disregard for conse
quences seized him. He felt blind
fury at being pulled and hauled and
driven by this creature and also an un.
reasoning anger at Gales detection
But 1t was the thought Of Necia and
the horrible net Of evil in which this
man had ensnared them both that
CALLED him most. he determined to
finish this thing here and now.
Meade went to his bureau, took his
revolver from the belt where he had
hung it and came out into the other
room. STARK, seeing the weapon, ex
claimed:
"You don't need that. He won't re.
sist you"
1--WE decided not to take him." said
Burrell.
Decided not to take him!" shouted
the other. "Have you weakened
Don't you intend to arrest that man p
"Now cried the soldier. "rve lis
tened to your lies long enough. Now
I'm going to stop them once for all
You're too dangerous to have around
They faced each other silently mo-
ment; then Stark spoke in a very quiet
voice, though his eyes were glittering.
whats the meaning Of this? Are
you crazy?"
"Gale was here just before you came
and told me who killed your wife.
know"
"Well?"
"1t's pretty late. This place is lonely;
This is the simplest way"
The gambler fell to studying his an.
tagoniSt, and when he did not sReaE
Burrell continued:
"Come, brace up! I'm giving you 9
chance"
But Stark shook his head.
"Don't be afraid" insisted the lieu.
tenant. "There are no witnesses. Il
you get me, nobody will know, and
your word is good If not, it's much
simpler than the other" Then when
the gambler still made no move he In.
sisted. "You wouldn't have me kill
you like rattlesnake?"
"You couldn't" said the older man
''You're not that kind, and I'm not the
kind to be cheated either. Listen. I've
lived over forty years, and I never
took less than was coming to me. ]
won't begin tonight"
"Youll get your share"
"Bah You don't know what mean,