The Holly chieftain., 1909-05-14
&c 8y -

feller. eh:' said the other. With an odd
grin. "Waal. wy not? He'll be here all
day an night. S'pose you do 1t. Mos
anybody wat ain got some wife al
ready will be glad for marry on you.
wife too! If you don lax dem an if
you're goin' marry on somebody you
can be wife to me-"
Necia laughed lightly. II believe
you would marry me If wanted you
to. You've done everything else I've
ever asked. But you needn't be afraid.
won't take you up In all her life
this man had never spoken Of love to
her, and she had no hint Of the dream
he cherished.
While they were talking n boat
had drawn inshore and made fast
to the bank in front of them. An
Indian landed and, approaching. enter
ed into talk with the Frenchnan.
BY and by Poleon turned TO the girl
and said:
"Dere's hondred marten skin come
in You min dc store vile ! max
trade wit dis man.
Together the two went down to the
boat. leaving Necia behind, and not
long after Runnion sluntered up to the
store and addressed her famiiarly.
Hello, Necia! just heard about
the strike on yonr claim. That's fine
and dandy"
She acknowledged his congratula-
tions curtly. for. although it was Gus
toniary for most of the old timers to
call her bt her Christian name, she re-
scented 1t from this man. She chose to
let 1t pass. however.
Il had some good news last night
myself" he continued. Zone of my
men has hit some good dirt and we'll
vi gamble We're into the money big,
though, for ! always was lucky cuss.
Say, where's your father?'
''He's out at the mine."
"We'ye used UP all Of our bar sugar
at the saloon. and want to buy what
you've got
.-very well; FIJI get 1t for YOU
He followed her inside, watching her
graceful movements and attempting,
Will HIS Aiee uuu eusS isotcuSt. "
make friendly advances; but. seeing
that she refused to notice him. he be-
came piqued and grew bolder.
"Look here, Necia; you're. mighty
pretty girl. I've had my eye on you
; ever since landed, and the more see
of you the better like YOU"
"It isn't necessary to tell me that"
she replied. THE price of sugar will
be just the same
Yes. and you're bright, too" he de-
clared, That's what like in wo-
man--good looks and brains. believe
in strong methods and straight talk,
too --none of this serenading and moon.
light Intish for me- When l see Il girl
like, l go and get her. That's me.
make love like a man ought to-
The girl laughed derisively IN his
face.
"Now, don't get sore mean busi-
ness. I'm no soft talking southerner
with gold buttons and high.alutin
ways. don't care If you are n squaw
Z Ill take you
Don't talk to me!' she cried in dis
gust. her voice hot with anger and re-
sentiment.
But he continued. unhecding: Now
cut out these airs and get down to
cases. mean what | say. know
you've been casting sleeps eyes at Bur
rell; but. Lord. he wouldn't have You.
no matter how rich you get! OF course
you acted careless In going off alone
with him, but | don't mind what
they're saying around camp for I've
made little slips like that myself. and
we'd get along"
''I9 have you killed." she h'sset
through her clinched teeth - he.
"Litflc girl. little glrl.'' lie whispered
over and over. hi; tone conv eying every
shade Of sympathy. love and under
standing she had craved He knew
what had made her sad. aud She knew
that he knew. There was no need for
words. The anguish Of this long day
had whctted the edge Of their desire.
and they were too deeply. too utterly
lost in the ecstasy of meeting to care
for speech.
''Your lips cling so that can't get
free" sighed the girl at last.
You never shall" he whispered
But when she smiled up Mt him pite-
ously. her eyes swimming. and said, II
must" he wrenched himself away and
let her go.
CHAPTER NJ.