Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-04-30
(Continued)

I
this thing alone tonight. all Of It, for
you have no place In 1t, and can't let
the little girl go on like this. The
sooner that soldier knows the better"
lie leaned down and touched her
| brown mouth with his grizzled lips.
THANK you, Alluna. for making man
Of me when I'd nearly forgotten. Now,
you stay here" He knew he could
count on her obedience, and SO he left
her. When he had gone she drew the
shawl up over her face and crouched
IN the doorway, stralnlng her eyes aft
or him through the dark. In time she
began to rock and sway and then to
chant until the night moaned with the
death song Of her people.
Necia had no idea whittier she went
Her only thought was to fee from her
kin, who could not understand to hide
under cover In some solitary place; to
let the darkness swallow her up. so
that she might give way TO her grief
and be just poor weak woman. On
she stumbled blindly through the murk
like some fair creature Of light cast
out and banlsbed.
She had not succeeded In thoroughly
isolnting herself, however, for man
who was steering his course by the
sense Of feel and the Winds direction
heard her and paused. His steps were
mufiicd In the soft footing, so thai
she Ind no warning ~ his presence
| until ne was near enough TO distin.
rulsh her dimly where she leaned
gaInst the log wall of half comnlct-
| : cabin.
To his question. whats the trouble
iercf" she made 10 answer. hut moved
! way, whcrcnron he detained her.
4 here's something wrong. Who are
;ou ulylIow;"
ITS only Nccla, Mr. Stark" said
he Eirl. ut viii h, advanced ana
ouk her by the GrGl.
What ais you, c,.'l? what In the
world are you dCicS here? Come!
IT'S only Il step 10 my cabin. You
must come In and rest awhile, and
you'll soon he nil right. Why, you'll
break your neck In this darkness"
She hung back, but lie compelled her
to go with him In spite of her unwill-
lngrcs5.
"Now. now" he admonished, with
unusual kindness for him; you
know you're my little friend. and
can't let you 70 on this way. It's scan
dnlous. won't stand for 1t. like
| you too much"
He led her inside his cablu and
closed the door In the face of the night
wind before he struck light.
II can't stand to see you cry" he re-
peated as he adjusted the wick. Now,
as soon as lie stopped In astonish-
mcnt. for he had turned to behold In
stead Of the little half breed girl this
slender. sorrowful stranger In her
amazingly wonderful raiment.
| BY He checked himself insensi-
bly, and stood motionless for long
| time.
| "I-I-hopc you'll excuse me for act
Ing this way" she smiled at him plte-
ously; then, observing his strange fea.
Stark? Are you angryT
His hawklike face was strained and
colorless, his black eyes fierce and
eager, his body bent as II to pounce
upon victim. In truth, he was now
the predatory animal. -,.
NO" he replied as II her question
carried no meaning; then, coming to
himself. mo. no; OF course not. But
you gave me n start. You reminded
me Of some one. How do you come
to be dressed like that2 never knew
you had such clothes"
| "Poleon brought them from Dawson.
They are the first l ever had"
He shook his head In n slow, puzzled
fashion.
p; you look just like white GIRL
mean-I don't know what l mean"
This time he reused himself fully, the
effort being more like shudder
80 l have always thought" she
said, and her eyes filed again.
! He showed forward big chair with
q wolfskln flung over II, into which
she sank deJectedly, while he stepped
TO the shelves beside the Yukon stove
and took down a bottle and some
glasses. ..E ..
''l'm not fixed up very well yet" he
4 uppioblHtu' L We Dctu tOO DuSy Ut tue
saloon to waste time on living quar-
tiers. But It's comfortable enough for
an old roadster like me-"
He was talking to give her leeway
and when he had concocted weak
toddy insisted that she must drink II,
which she did listlessly, while he ram
)led on:
"I've noticed few things In my
life, Miss Necia, and one Of them Is
that 1t often does heap Of good. TO let
out and talk things over-not that
fellow gains any real advantage from
disseminating his troubles, but 1t
serves TO sort of ease his mind. Folks
don't often come to me for advice or
sympathy. | don't have 1t to give. But
maybe 1t will help you TO tell me what
caused this night marauding eXpedi-
ton of yours" Seeing that she hest
| l, ia