Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-05-07
CHAPTER ".

THE SOLDIER FINDS AN UNTR0DDEN VAL
LEY.
"a MEADE BURRELL had expert
M enced profound sense of
pity for Necia upon learning
her fathers relation to Al
luna. but this also largely vanished
when he found that the girl was en-
tirely obivious to its significance. he
had tried her in many subtle ways ano
found that she regarded the matter In
aocently, as customary. and therefore
In the light Of an accepted convention,
nor did she seem to see anything ID
her blood or station to render her 1nfe'
rior 70 other women She questioned
him tirelessly about his sister, ana ne
was glad of this, for it placed no con-
straint between them.
AS for her. each day brought keen
err delight. She unfolded before the
Kentuckian like some beautiful wood
land flower and through innumerapie'
unnoticed famiiarities took him into
her innermost confidence.
month Of this went by, and then
Runnion returned. He came on an up
going steamer. The manner or MS
coming was bold, for he stood fairi!
upon the ships deck. and his smile
was evil now. as 1t had been before
With him was q stranger. When the
boat was at rest Runnion sauntered
down the gangplank and up to the
lieutenant. who stood above the iand
ing Mace and who noted that the scar
close up against his hatband; was
scarce healed He accosted the officer
with an insolent assurance.
"Well, I'm back again, you see, ano
I'm back to stay"
Every well, Runnion. Did you BRING
an outfit with you"
Eyes. and I'm pretty fat besides
He shook we'll laden gold sack at the
officer.
"What 90 you want in this place
anyhow demanded Burrell curiously
"None Of your ID business" the
man answered, grinning.
"Bc sure it isn't" retorted the lieu
tenant. because it would please me
RIGHT down to the ground If 1t were
I'd like to get you"
I'm glad we understand each oth
orr, Runnion said. falling into CONVEX
sation with the stranger, VINO nat
been surveying the town without leaV
inc tbe boat. Evidently this man hat
voice in Runnion's affairs, for h'
not only gave him Instructions Du
bossed the crew who handled his mer
chandise. and Meade Burrell concluded
that he must be some incoming ten
derfoot who had grub staked the des
perado to prospect in the hills DacR D
Flambeau. AS the two came up pas
him he saw that he was mistaken
This man was no more OF tenuerloo
than RunniOn. On the contrary III
had a bearing Of one to whom new
countries are old, who had trod III
edge Of things all his life. Ihefe wa
n hint Of tie meat eating animal aDou
him. His nose was keen ana haWh
like. his walk and movements those
the predatory beast. and as he pasSe'
by BurreIl observed that his eyes "er
Of peculiar cruelty that went we
with his thin lips. He was older D.
far than Runnion; but, while the iatte
was mean visaged and staggering III
strangers manner was noticeaple ~
its repression.
Impelled by an irresistible desire
learn something about the man. III
lieutenant loitered after Runnloh all
his companion and entered the s'"t
in time to see the latter greet
Creek" Lee, the prospcctor, VINO h',
come into town for more food. po'
men spoke with quiet restraint.
mine years since / saw you, STARE ,..
said the miner. Where you Douhu
THE dlggings," replied Stark as L'
addressed the stranger.
Mining now?"