Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-09
THE BARRIER
Illustrated By
Denman Fink
CONTINUATION OF CHAPTER x
Meade BurreII Finds a Path in
4 Nove1 BY REX BEACH
AUTHOR OF THE SPOILERS"
the Moonlight

CONTINUATION OF CHAPTER L.
Meade BurreII Finds Path in
the Moonlight
Il know what ais her." said the father.
she's found that she's not like other
girls She's found that a white soul
doesn't count with white people: they
never 90 below the skin" Then he told
her OF the scene that morning in the store,
adding that he believed she loved Lieu
tenant Burrell.
Did she say so?'
NO. she denied II. now that she knows
she hasn't got his kind OF blood In her."
blood makes no difference" said the
woman. stubbornly. IF he loves her, he
win take her; II he does not-that Is
all"
Gale looked up at her, and was about
10 explain when the utter impossioiity
OF her comprehending him made him de-
sist and he fell moody again At least
ne said, ''Tve got TO tell her. Alluna-
mo. no." cried the woman. aghast
Don't tell her the truth! Nothing could
be worse than that!'
But he continued. deliberately: Love
Is the biggest thing in the world; IT'S
the only thing worth while, and she has
got 10 have a fair show at it. This has
been on my mind for weeks. and I've put
A. away. hoping wouldn't have TO do
n. hut TO-DAY I came face to face with
II again. and it's up TO me She'll nave
TO know some time. so thu Aooner the
better"
-she would not believe you" said the
woman. at which he stared.
Il never thought OF that / wonder II
she would doubt, I couldn't stand that
There IS no proof. and IL would mean
your life. A good mans life Is a great
price to pay for the Happiness OF one
girl"
II gave II once before" said Gale,
tribe bitterly. and now that the game
Is started I've got 20 play the string out;
but-I wonder IL she would doubt BE
paused for q long moment We'll. III
have TO risk IT, However, I've got lot or
things TO do frst-you and the youngsters
must be taken care OF.
And Stark said Alluna.
Yes. and Stark
BurreH took his prisoner TO the bar
racks. where he placed him under guard.
giving instructions TO hold him at any
cost. not knowing what Wild and reck-
less humor the new citizens Of Flambeau
might develop during the night, for It Is
men who have always lived with the hal
ter Of the law tight upon their necks
who run widest when II is removed
Men grown old on the frontier adhere
derfeet who feel for the first time the
liberty and license Of utter unrestraint,
and II was these strangers whom the
soldier feared rather than men Ike Gale
and NO Greek" Lee, who would recog-
nire the mercy OF his Intervention and let
the matter drop.
After he had taken every precaution
he went out into the night again, and
fought with himself as he had fought all
- Ill r. MD hafnra- In
fact. ever since old Thomas had come to
him after. leaving Necia. and had so cum
ningIy shaped his talk that Burrell never
suspected his object until he perceived
his position In such a clear light that
the young man looked back upon his work
with startled eyes The corporal had
spoken garrulously Of his officers family;
OF their pride. and Of their love for his
profession: had dwelt enthusiastically up
on the lieutenants future and the length
he was sure to so. and finally drtfted
into the same story he had told Necia-
BurreI at last sensed the meaning OF
the crafty old soldiers strategy and dis
missed him. but before his work had
been accomplished. II a coarse-fibered,
callused old campaigner like Corporal
Thomas could recognize the impOssibility
OF a union between Necia and himself.
then the young man must have been blind
AUuEEu
The K,sutucl<ian was q man OF strong and
viriIe passions. but he was also well bal
anced, ami had ever followed his head
rather than his heart. holding. as he did,
a deep-seated contempt for weak men who
laid their courses otherwise The genera
tons of discipline back OF him spoke 70
his conscience He had allowed himself
TO become attached to this girl until
yes. he knew now he loved her. II only
he had not awakened her and himself
with that first hot kiss: IL only But
there was no going back now, no use
for regrets. only the greater necessity
OF mapping out a course that would
cause her least unhappiness. II he could
have run away he would have done so
gladly. but he was bound here 70 this
camp. with no possibility OF avoiding
her.
When he drove his reason with firm
hands he saw but one course TO follow;
but, when HIS mind went slack for a
moment, the old desire 70 have her re-
turned more strongly than ever, and he
heard voices arguing. pleading, persuad-
fng-she was the equal Of any woman In
the world. they said, in mind, in purity.
and tn innocence He hated himself
for hesitating; he rallied at his own in
decisIon:' and then, when he had justified
his love and persuaded himself that he
was right in seeking this union. there
would rise again the picture Of his
people. their chagrfn, and what would re-
suit from such marriage He knew how
they would take IL; he knew what his
friends would say. and how he would be
treated as the husband OF a half-breed
Indian; for In his country one drop of