Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-07-09

ID.
fifteen minutes-enough to hang this
eouaw man or batter down your bar
racks TO get him. But l don't want to
do that want to go by the law
you've talked so much about. | want
you to do the trick"
At last Burrell saw the gamblers
dcviltry. He knew Stark's reputation
too we'll TO think that he feared
meeting with Gale. Stark had plan
ned his settlement coldly and with de-
libcrate malice. Moreover, he was
strong enough to stand aside and let
another take his place and thus deny
to Gale the final recourse Of q hunted
beast. the desperate satisfaction that
the trader craved. He tied his enc
my's hands and delivered him up with
his thirst unsatisfied-to whom? He
+ thrust a weapon into the hand of his
other enemy and babe this other ene-
my use it-worse than that, forced
him to strike the man he honored,
| tie man he loved. Burrell never
doubted that Stark had carefully
| weighed the effect of this upon Necia
ard had reasoned that girl like her
could not understand soldiers duty
If it meant the blood Of parent. If
lie refused to act the gambler could
break him, while every effort he made
to protect Gale would but increase the
others satisfaction. There was no
chance of the traders escape. Stark
held him in his hand. Was it impos-
sible. the lieutenant wondered, to
move this man from his purpose?
"IIave you thought of Necia? She
I loves Gale. What effect will this have
on her?'
"D-n her! She's more his brat than
mine. l want John Gaylord!
At this vicious frenzy overlook
Burrell, and he thought Of the man be-
hind yonder door, whom he had for
gotten. WE'LL why not? These two
men had stalked each other clear into
the farthest places, driven by forces
that were older than the hills. Who
was he to stand between such pas
sions?
The gamblers words rang In his
ears-"I want Johe Gaylord'-and be-
fore he knew what he was doing he
had answered, Every well; III give him
to you" and crossed quickly to the
door Of his bedroom and flung it open.
On the threshold he paused stocksti,l.
The place was empty. A draft sucked
through the open window, flirting with
the curtain and telling the story OF the
traders exit.
IF you're looking for your coat, It's
here" he heard Stark say. Get into
it, and we'll go for him."
The Iieutenant's mind was working
fast enough now. in all conscience, and
he saw with clear and fateful eyes
WHITTIER he was being led, at which a
sudden reckless disregard for conse-
ouences seized him. He felt a blind
fury at being pulled and hauled and
driven by this creature and also an I'M
reasoning anger at Gales detection.
But it was the thought Of Necia and
the horrible net Of evil in which this
man had ensnared them both that
CALLED him most. He determined to
finish this thing here and now.
Meade went to his bureau, took his
revolver from the belt where he had
hung it and came out into the other
room. Stark, seeing the weapon, ex-
claimed:
"You don't need that. He won't re-
sist YOU
'T've decided not to take him." said
Burrell.
Decided not to take him.! shouted
the other. "Have you weakened!
Don't you intend to arrest that manT'
"No! cried the soldier. "Tye lis
tened to your lies long enough. Now
Pm going to stop them once for all.
You're too dangerous to have around.
They faced each other silently mo-
ment; then Stark spoke in a very quiet
voice, though his eyes were glittering.
"What's the meaning Of this? Are
you crazy?"
scale was here just before you came
and told me who killed your wife. !
know"
"Well"
ats pretty late. This place is lonely.
This is the simplest way"
The gambler fell to studying his an
tagonist, and when he did not speak
:iurrel continued:
Come. brace up! I'm giving you 8
chance"
But Stark shook his head.
Don't be afraid" insisted the lieu
tenant. "rhere are 10 witnesses. l.
you get me, nobody will know, and
your word is good. If not, it's much
simpler than the other" Then when
The gambler still made no move he in
sisted. you wouldn't have me xii
sou like rattlesnake"
"You couldn't" said the older man
you're not that kind, and I'm not the
kind to be cheated either. Listen. I've
lived over forty years, and never
took less than was coming to me.
won't begin tonight"
you'll get your share"
"Bah! You don't know what I mean
don't want you. It's him I'm after
ard when I'm done with him I'll take
care Of you, but l won't run any risk
right now. You might put me away
there's the possibility. and I won't let
you or any other manor woman ell
Their not even my girl-cheat me out
Of Gale. Put up your gun"
The soldier hesitated, then did ns he
vas hidden. for this man knew him
better than he knew himselef.