Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-01

CHAPTER VII CONrINUED)
"Too late, boys. Your lit;le game
went wrong Now. now. don't set eZ-
cited! Whew. I had quite a rum"
GAZE paused in his tracks and looked
at the young man qucerly.
"vhat do you mcanT'
give jumped those claims myself"
"You jumped them" cried Necia.
"Surc! I changed my mind about
stalking"
"It's q lie!" cried Runnion, at which
Burrel whirled on him.
"I'vc been waiting for this Runnion
ever since you came back. Now
II mean you haven't had time the
other temporized hurriedly.
"Oh, that sounds better. If you
don't believe me take look for your
self. You'll find my notice just be-
meath Miss Gales" Then to mo
Creek" Lee he continued, KINDLY re-
cord them for me SO there will be no
question Of priority"
"In be id If l do" said the
bellsgerent recorder. You're worse'n
these crooks. That ground belongs to
Necia Gale
Cr to THIS time Stark had remained
silent, his impasslvc face betraying not
a shadow Of chagrin. for he was
good i,eer. but now he spoke at large.
"Anybody who thinks the American
army Is asleep is crazy Then to Bur-
rell. "Ycu certainly are a nice young
man to double cross your friends like
that"
Your. no friend Of NINE" Meade
retorted
"Lr What do you mean:'
II double crossed you, Stark: nobody
else. There'e no use mounting word:
about It," said he These thugs are
your tools, and you tried to steal thac
ground because it's sure to be rich"
Stark exclxlnned angriy. but the 9th
er gave him no time to break In.
Now, don't get rough. becaus. that
is my game. and Id be pleased enough
to take you back a prisoner" Then,
turning to Lee, he said: Don't make
ME force you to record my locations.
/ staked those claims for Miss Gale,
and I'll deed them to her when she
turns eighteen"
Poleon Doret called to Runnion:
"M'sieu, you member wat I toll yet
yestidday? I'm begin for t'ink it's 60
in be you"
Seeing tina: the game haG gone
against him, Stark got his feelings un-
der control quickl.' and shrugged his
shoulders as he turned away.
You're in the wrong, lieutenant" he
remarked, but / don't want any troI-
bic. You've got the law with you"
Then to Runnion and the others re
said. "Well, I'm ready to hit the trail"
When they had shoulderec theil:
packs and disappeared down the val
ley Gale held out his hand to the SOL
der. Young man, l reckon you and
will be friends"
Thank you" said Burrell, taking the
offer of friendship, which he knew was
genuine at last.
I'm in on that" said mo Creek"
Lee. You're all right
Poleon haG been watching Stark's
party disappear, but now he turned
and addressed the young soldier,
You MAX some enemies today,
m'sieu."
That's right" agreed Lee. "Ben
Stark -5!li never let up on you now"
VERY well. That is his privilege
you don't savvy what 1t means to
get him down on YOU insisted Lee
He'll frame things up to suit himself
then pick a row With you. He's the
quickest man on a trigger in the west
but he won't never make no open play
only just devil the life out Of you with
little things till you harc up; then he'll
down you. That's how he killed the
gold commissioner back in British Co
lumbia."
Necia had said little so far but thu
look in her eyes repaid the soldier fol
his undertaking in her behalf and fol
any mischief that might ensue from It
She came forward and laid her hands
upon his.
Don't worry, daughter" treasured
Gale. There's nothing Stark can do
and whatever happens we're with tn
lieutenant. He's our kind Of people"