The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-03-18

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low above his sullen face. Stark then
went cut and down toward the bar
racks. "A light behind the drawn cur
tafns 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 sound Of his voice Gale
had whispered to Burrell. Keep him
outr' and the lieutenant had decided
to refuse his late visitor admittance
when he lighted on the expedient Of
concealing the trader In the bedroom
at the rear 1t was only natural. he
reasoned. that Gale should dislike to
face man like Stark before he had
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 be 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 serious
affair. and. being as I'm peaceful
man. l want to go by the law" His
eyes Knocked the words he uttered.
"You seem to carry the weight of this
whole community on your shoulders,
so I'm here to give you some informa-
ton"
Burrell said quietly: Its little late
for polite conversation Come to the
point"
1--WE got a murderer for YOU
you've had a killing in your place.
eh?"
'sNo: I've just made discovery.
found 1t all out by accident. too-pure
accident. By heaven, you can't tell
me there isn't beneficent Providence
overlooking our affairs. He's a friend
of yours and highly respected party.
He's glorious example to this whole
river. He's everybody's friend. He's
the shining mark Of this whole coun-
try. He's the benevolent renegade,
Squaw Man Gale. Gaylord is his name,
and was a fool not to know it
sooner"
The disclosure had not affected the
soldier as Stark expected. and his an
ger began to lift ITSELF
1.-THE mans murderer. He's want
ed in California. where came from
He's been indicted, and there's price
on his head He's hidden for fifteen
years, but he'll hang as sure as stand
here"
Burrell knew he must gain time for
thought One false step might ruin
all. He could not face this on the
spur of the moment; SO, Struggling his
shoulders with an air of polite skep-
ticism. he assumed tone of good ma
tured raillery.
Fifteen years? Murder? John Gale
a murderer? Why, that's almost
pardon me If smile-I'm getting
sleepy. What proof have you"
''Proofv blazed the gambler. Proof!
Ask Gaylord! Proof! Why. the wo-
man he murdered was my wifev'
1t was Burrell's turn now to fall in
coherent. and not only did his speech
forsake him, but his thoughts went
madly veering off into wilderness
where there was no trail. no light. no
hope. What frightful bones were
these he barred? This man was Ben
nett! This was Necia's father. He
raised a pair of eyes that had become
furious and bloodshot and suddenly
realized that the man before him, who
persisted in saddling upon Gale this
heinous crime. was the slayer Of Ne
cia's mother, for he did not doubt
Gales story for an instant. He found
his fingers writing to feel the crea
lures throat
Proof Stark was growing. How
much proof do you need? I've fol-
lowed him for fifteen years. I've
tracked him with men and dogs
through woods and deserts and mining
camps. I've slept on his trail for
5000 miles. and now do you think I'm
aistaken? He killed my wife, say,
ed robbed me Of my little girl! That's
Ter in his house. That's her he calls
.lecia. She's my girl-ny girl. do you
?-and I'll have his life"
Burrcll had no inkling yet of the
fathers well shaped plans nor how
farreaching they were and could bare
.ly stammer:
$50. You-you know
Eyes. She wears the evidence
around her neck, and if that isn't
enough l can furnish more-evidence
enough to smother you My name
isn't Stark at all. / changed it years
ago for certain reasons. I've changed
1t more than once, but that's my priv
ilege and my own affair. Her name is
Merridy Bennett"
Il don't suppose you know I'm co
r.