Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-05
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They swung half acfos5 the spit to
the farther side, where they fell in
fantastic convulsion, slipping and
sliding and rolling among the rocks
that smote and eouged and bruised
them. The gambler fought for his
life against the naked flesh Of the 9th
err. agai, the distorted face tina
snapped and BIT HE the nuzzls Of a
wolf, while all the time he heard that
fearful, inarticulate note Of blood
hunger at his ear. The Canadians
clinched hands crushed whatever they
fell upon as If mailed with metal. The
fingers were like tearing tongs that
could not be loosed. It was fright
full combat, hideous from it's ineauali-
t.. like the battle Of a man against a
maddened beast whose teeth tore and
whose claws ripped, whose every
move was Irresistible. And so it was
over shortly.
Poleon ise and ran to the fallen
girl, leavin, behind him huddled and
twisted likeness Of man. He picked
her up tenderly, moaning and Groom
ing. But as her limp head lolled back,
throwing her pale. blind features up
to the heavens, he began to cry, this
time like woman. Tears fell from
his eyes-burning tears, the agony Of
which scared his soul. He laid her
carefully beside the waters edge, and,
holding her head and shoulders in the
crook Of his left arm, he wet his right
hand and bathed her face, crouching
over her, half nude, dripping with the
sweat of his great labors, a tender,
palpitating figure Of bronzed muscle
and sinew, with all his fury and hate
replaced by apprehension and pity.
The short moments that he worked
with her were ages to him, but she re-
g!ged beneath his ministrat ions, and
her first frightened look Of conscious
ness was changed to melting smile.
"W-what happened, Poleon?" she
said. Il was afraid"
BE stood up to his full height, shak-
ing and weak as the water that drip
ped from him, the very bones In him
dissolved. For the first time he ut
tered words, "Tank God, ba gosh!"
and ran his hand up over his wet face.
where is he?" She started to her
knees affrightedly; then. seeing the
twisted, SPRAYING figure beyond, be-
gan. to shudder "He-he's deadY'
81 don't know" said Poleon careless
". You feel it purity good now, eh,
watt"
"Yes-1-he struck mel" The remem-
brance OF what had occurred surged
over her, and she buried her face in
her hands. "Oh, Poleon. Poleon! He
was dreadful man."
HE dom trouble you no more"
"He tried-he- Ugh! I'm glad
you did itv' She broke down, trem-
bling at her escape, until her selfish
ness smote her, and she was up and
beside him on the instant. care you
hurt? Oh. never thought Of that!
You must be wounded"
The Frenchman felt himself over and
looked down at his limbs for the first
time. mo; guess not" he said, at
which Necia noticed his meager attire,
and simultaneously he became con-
scious Of It. He fell away pace, cast
ing his eyes over the river for his
canoe, which was now speck in the
distance.
'sBa gosh! I'm hi Of ting for
lookin' at" he said. "I'm paddle hard;
OATS wy. sacre. how l sweaty He
hitched nervously at the band Of his
overalls, while Necia answered.:
'sThat's all right. Poleon." Then,
without warning. her face froze with
mingled repulsion and wonder. .Look,
: look" she whispered, pointing past
him.
Runnion was moving slowly, crawl
ing painfully into sitting posture, up
lifting terribly mutilated face, dazed
and half conscious, cropping for posses
sion Of his wits. He saw them and
erimaced frightfully, covering and
Bringing.
Poleon felt the girls hand upon his
arm and heard her crying in q hard,
sharp voice:
HE needs killing! Put him awayg'
He stared down at bis gentle Necia
and saw the loathing In her face and
the look of strange ferocity as she
met his eyes boldly.
You don't know what he-what he
did," she said through her shut teeth.
sHe''- But the man waited to hear
no more.
Runnion saw him coming and scram-
0led frantically to all fours, then got
on his feet and staggered down the
bar. As Poleon overlook him he cried
out piteously. shrill scream Of terror,
and. falling to his knees, groveled and
debased himself like foul cripple at
tear Of the lash. His agony dispeiled
the savage faint Of Alluna's aboriginal
training In Necia, and the pure white
blood Of her ancestors cried out:
"Poleon. Poleon-not that" She hur-
ned otter him to where he paused above
the wretch waiting for her. 'fYou
mustn'tv' she said. THAT would DO
murder, and and-it's all over now"
The Frenchman looked at her won
deringly. not comprehending this sud-
den. leniency.
Let him alone. You've nearly kill
ed him. That's enough" Whereat
Runnion, broken in body and spirit,
peganst beg for his life.
Waits dat you say JUS now?'' Do.
ret asked the girl. "Was dat de truth
for sure w'itsyo speakr
Yes but you've done your work.
Don't touch him again."
y He hesitated, and Runuion. uuick to