Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-03
AR THE !
By
rs REX BEACH ).
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BROTHERS
Observation-Disclosures

that had made Ms name 4 byword In
the west, and at sight Of his bitterest
enemy seated in, the dark of his own
house waiting for him he became an
ordinary. nervous, frightened man. 1t
was the utter unexpectedness Of the
thing that shook him, and before he
could regain his balance Gale spoke:
"I've come to settle, Bennett"
What are you doing here2" the
gambler stammered.
II was up at the soldiers place just
now and heard you. 1 didn't want
any Interruptions, SO I came here
where we can be alone" He paused
and when Stark made no answer con
tinued, "Well, let's get at It," But
still the other made no move. "You've
had all the best Of it for twenty
years." Gale went on in his leve
voice, "but tonight I get even. I've
lived for thisy'
''That shot in Lees cabin?" recalled
Stark, with the light Of new under.
standing. "You knew me then?"
Eyes"
Stark took deep breath. "What a
ID fool I've been!''
"Your DEVILS magic saved you thai
time, but 1t won't stop this" The
trader rose slowly, with the knife IT.
his hand.
you'll hang for this! said the gam
bier unsteadily, at which Gales face
blazed.
"Ha!" exclaimed the trader exulting-
ly. "You can feel it in you already
eh?"
With an effort Stark began to assem-
BILE his wits as the trader continued:
"You saddled your dirty work on me
Ben Stark, and I've carried it for IF
teen years, but tonight put you out
the way you put her out. An eye for
an eye!"
II didn't kill her," said the man.
$50? The yellow is showing up at
last. knew you were a coward, but /
didn't think you'd be afraid to own It
to yourself"
Look here" said Stark curiously
do you really think killed Merridy?'
II know 1t. A man who would strike
a woman would kill her-if he had the
nerve"
Stark had now mastered himself and
smiled.
"My hate worked better than ]
thought. Well, we'll, that made it hard
for you, didn't it?" he chuckled. 81
supposed, Of course, you knew"
"Kneww Gales face showed emo.
ton for the first time. "Knew what?'
His hands were quivering slightly.
"She killed herself"
$50 help you God?"
$50 help me God!'
n There was a long pause.
"Why7"
'Eay, it's kind of funny our stand
ing here talking about that thing, isn't
IT? Well, If you want to know, came
home early that night. I guess yor
hadn't been gone two hours. And thu
surprise did 1t more than anythin;
else, suppose. She hadn't prepared
q story. got suspicious, named you
at random and hit the nail on the
head"
Gale's face was like chalk, and hi
voice sounded thin and dry as he said
"You beat her; that's why she did
it."
Stark made no answer.
1.-THE papers said the room showed
a struggle"
When the other still kept quiet Gale
insisted:
didn't you?'
At this Stark famed up definantly.
"Well, guess ! had cause enough
No woman except her was ever untrue
to me-wife or sweetheart"
"You didn't really think"-
think hi! thought so then, an(
I think so now. She denied 1t, butt
"And you knew her so we'll too.
guess you've had some bad night.
yourself, Bennett, with that always OF
your mind
II swore I'd have"-
-"and SO you put her blood on my
head and made me an outlaw" Aftel
an instant, "Why did you tell me this
anyhow?''
"It's our last talk, and I wanted 70,
to know how well my hate worked"
We'll, / guess that's all," said Gale
So far they had watched each othel
with unwavering, unblinking eyes