Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-08

he can and to board the first steamer |
that overtakcs you. Too bad this
freighter that Just got In isn't going |
the other way. However. there's liable
to be another any hour. and II one |
doesn't come along you'll ind enough |
blankets and food in the skin. so you
needn't % ashore. You'll be there be-
fore you know It."
Then he led her out into the dark
ness. and they stumbled down to the
rivers bank, descending to the gravelly
waters edge, where rows of clumsy
hand sawed beats and polling skiffs
were chatting at their painters. The
up river steamer WINS just clearing.
Starl's low whistle was answered a
hundred yards below. and they search
ed out darker blot that proved to be
. mans figure.
"Is everything ready" he inquired,
at which the shadow grunted unintel.
ligibly. SO, holding Necia by the arm.
Stark helped her back to a seat in the
stern.
"rhis man will take you through"
he said. you can trust him all right"
The oarsman clambcred in and ad.
justed his sweeps; then Stark laid a
hand on the PROV and showed the light
boat ont into the current. calling softlys
"Goodby and good luck!"
"Goodby. Mr.. Stark. Thank you ever
so much" the girl replied. too numb
and worn out to soy much or to notice
or care whittier she was bound or who
was her boatman. She had been swept
along too swiftly to reason or fear for
herself any more
Stark did not return to his cabin, but
went back instead to his saloon. where
he saw Poleon Doret still sprawling
with elbows on the table, his Int pulled
low above his sullen face. Stark then
went out and down toward the bar
racks. A light behind toe drawn cur
tains of the officers house told that
Burrell was not abed. but he waited q
long moment after his summons before
the door was opened. during which he
heard the occupant moving about and
another door close In the rear. When
he was allowed entrance at last he
found the young man alone in smoke
filed room. with bottle and two
empty glasses on the table.
For at the soU.!d Of his voice Gale
had whispered to Burrel. Keep him
out" and the lieutenant had decided
to refuse his late visitor admittance
when he lighted on the expedient Of
concealng the trader in the bedroom
at the rear. 1t was only natural. he
reasoned. that Gale should dislike to
| - v>,, haf ho ho RI
regained his composure.
go in there and wait till see what
} he wants." he had said. and. shutting
. the old man in, he had gone forth to
admit Stark. Stark entered and closed
: the door.
1--WE got some work for you. lieuten-
ant. It's got to he done tonight. right
now. You represent the law. or at
least you've taken every occasion to so
declare yourself. so now I've come to
you with something big. It's a serious
affair. and. being as I'm n peaceful
t man, want to go by the law" His
q eyes Knocked the words he uttered
= You seem to carry the weight of this
! whole community on your shoulders
g so I'm here to give you some informa
8 ton
k Burrell said quietly: ITS little late
: for polite conversation. Come to the
i point"
I've got q murderer for you
you've had killing in your place
s eh?"
i mo; I've just made discovery.
found 1t all out by accident, too-purt
l. accident BY heaven. you can't tel
) me there isn't Il beneficent Providence
overlooking our affairs. He's a FRIEND
:, Of yours and n highly respected party
!, He's glorious example to this whole
o river. He's everybody's friend. He's
II the shining mark Of this whole coun
l. try. He's the benevolent renegade
|. Squaw Man Gale. Gaylord Is bis name
d and was fool not to know |
!. sooner"
!. The disclosure had not affected tn,
g soldier as Stark expected. and his an
!. ger began to lift itself.
1. 1.-The mans n murderer He's want
d ed In California. where I came from
q He's been indicted. and there's pric,
+ on his hend. He's hidden for fifteel
Ia years, but he'll! hang as sure rs l stant
here"
h Burrell knew he must gain time 70
thought. One false step might ruiz
b all. He could not face this on tn
spur of tho moment; so. struggling hi
4, shoulders with an air Of polite skep
Y. ticism. he assumed a tone of good ma
m tured raillery.
lie "Fifteen years? Murder? John Gal
murderer? Why. that's almost
lie pardon me II | smile-I'm gettln
m sleepy. What proof have you?"
of Proofs" blazed the GAM, or. "Prooi
ie Ask Gaylord! Proof. Why the VIC
man he murdered was my wifer
n 1t was Burrells turn now to fall In
er coherent, and not only did his speec
forsake him, but his thoughts wen
70 madly veerlng off into wilderness
where there was no trail. no light n
he hope. What frightful bones wer
&c these he barred? This man was Ber
I'd nett! This was Necia's father. II
raised q pair of eyes that had becom
n furious and boodshot and suddenl
no realized that the man before him. wh
l persisted in saddling upon Gale thi
IN heinous crime. was the slayer Of NJ