Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-23
BY REX BEACH,
Author of THE SPOILERS"

CHAPTER AlA.-Ine Oail OF INC
breads
There was mingled rejoicing and la
rrentatiOn in the household OF John Gale
this afternoon. Molly and Johnny were
I'm the throes of an Overwhelming sorrow.
the noise Of which might be heard from
the barracks TO the Indian village They
we're sparing OF tears as rule. but when
they did give way 10 woe they published
Ii abroad. yelling with utter abandon.
their black eyes puckered up, their
mouths distended into squares, from
which came such a measure OF sound as
20 rack the ears and burden the air
heavily with sadness. Poleon was going
away. Their own particular Poleon!
Something was badly askew in the gen
eral scheme OF affairs to permit Of such
a thing. and they manifested their grief
80 loudly that BurTell. who knew nothing
Of Dorets intention. sought them out and
tried 10 ascertain the cause of IT, They
had found the French-Canadian at the
river with their father. loading his canoe.
end they had asked him whittier he Jared
When the meaning OF his words struck
home they looked at each other in dis
may. then. bred as they we're to mask
emotion, they joined hands and trudged
silently back up the bank with filling
eyes and chins a-quiver until they gained
the rear OF the house. Here they sat
down all forlorn, and began to weep bit
terly and In an ascending crescendo-
whats the matter with you tikes.
anyhow inquired the lieutenant. he
had always filled them with speeches.
awe and al his unexpected appearance
they began the slow and painful process
of swallowing their grief He was nice
man. they had both agreed long ago,
and very splendid to the eye, but he was
nothing Ike Poleon. who was one or
chem only somewhat bigger.
Come now. Tell me all about Il, the
soldier insisted HAS something happen
cd to the three-legged puppy
Molly denied the occurrence Of any
such catastrophe
'sThen you've lost the little shiny rifle
that shoots with airg' But Johnny dis
PEELED this horrible suspicion by draw
ing the formidable weapon out Of the
grass behind him.
ssWeu. there isn't anything else bad
enough TO cause all this outlay Of an
guish Can't I help you Out?"
..Poleonr' they walled. in unison.
Exactly. What about him?''
He's goin' away said Johnny.
Hes goin' away echoed Molly.
Vow. that's too bad. OF course the
young man assented. but think what
nice things he'll bring you when he
comes back.
He amt comm back" announced the
heir. with the tone that conveys a sorrow
unspeakable.
.-He amt comm back walled the
little girl. and. being woman. yielded
again to her weakness. unashamed.
Burrel tried TO extract a more detailed
exclamation but this was as far as their
knowledge ran. So he sought out the
Canadian. and found him with Gale in
the store, a scanty pile OF food and am
munitIon on the counter between them
..POIeOn." said ne. you're not going
away
Yes" said Doret. I'm takin' hP trip"
But when are you coming back?"
The man shrugged his shoulders
Oats hard ting for telIin'. I'm restless
in my heart. so I'm gOin' travel some.
] ain never pass on de back trail yet.
80 / 'spect keep gOin'."
~Oh. but you can't.' cried Burrell-
IL" He paused awkwardly, while
down the breeze came the lament Of the
two little Gales ~ ell. I feel just as
they do" he motioned in the direction OF
the sound. Il wanted you for a friend.
Doret: hate TO lose you
I ain never got my satisfy yet, so
I'm pass On-aI de tam pass on. Mebbe
dis trip / I'm de place"
I'm sorry-because-well. I'm a selfish
sort OF cuss-and-" Burrell pulled up
bIuskinEIy with a strong mans display
OF shame at his own emotion Il owe all
my happiness TO you. old man. 1 can't
thank you-neither Of us can-we shall
never live long enough for that, but you
mustn't go without knowing that 1 feel
more than III ever have words to say"