Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-12

tones:
ITS easy ting for go an ask i'm, but
you mus hear hees answer wit your own
ears-den you can't tink I'm lynn. I'll
fetch i'm ere on dis place If you feex 1t
for hide you'se'f benin dose post" He
indicated bundle of furs that were sus-
pended against a pillar, and which Of
fered ample room for concealment.
''Dere's goin' to be no lies today"
He pulled himself together and went
out, with the tired gait of an old man.,
his great shock head bowed low. A few
moments later he returned.
i've sent liz Jean for i'm. You get In
dere out Of sight-an' wait
CHAPTER XII.-A Tangled Skein.
When Burrell entered he wasted no
time in greetings.
II know why you sent for me, Poleon.
I've heard the news, and 1 would have
been up anyway to congratulate her very
soon. I call it pretty fine"
Yes, dere's been beeg strike all right,
an Necia is goin be richie gal"
I'm as pleased as if the claim were
mine, and you feel the same way, Of
course"
The Frenchman nodded. IT love Necia
very much, lak'-well, LAX I'm broder to
her" The knowledge that she was lis
tening made him very uncomfortable-in
fact, this whole affair savored more OF
double dealing and treachery than any,
| thing he had ever attempted, and it went
sorely against his grain, but it had pre-
scented itself as the only way to help her,
| and he proceeded, cropping haltingly for
| fit expression, "Dere's ting l want for
| talk bout wit you, but I'm scare you'll
t'ink I'm butt in.
| Nonsense" said Burrell. at know you
too we'll for that
You know me for good man, Ell? An
you know 1 amt try for brek up oder
| fellers' bizinesse, never! Wal, I'm come
to you now LAX wan good man to
noder because I'm got bad trouble on
de min, an you mustn't get sore"
There's no danger, Poleon. Let's have
| it. If there is anything I can do, you
may count on me-"
Wal" he began, nervously clearing
/ his throat, Its lax dis. Dere's Teller
been talk some bout Necia, an it ain
nice talk neider.'
who is he?" exclaimed the soldier, in
tone that made the girls heart leap.
Wait! Lemme toll you wat he say,
den Wen talk bout feex i'm plaintee.
| He say dere's joked own on Stark's sa-
loon dat Necia. Gale is max fool of her.
se'f on you, an dat you ain care for
marry her"
| "Runnionw cried Burrell, and started
for the door. I'm settle with him now
for fair" But Poleon blocked his way,
and, observing him gravely, continued, in
a tone that the other could not disregard
nor mistake:
mo, Msieu', before you pass on dat
place you'll toll me If it's true"
''True!" the lieutenant retorted, angrily.
| What bushes is it OF yours? This con-
Germs me-"
AN me. too! I'm wat you call gar
deem for Necia till John Gale come back
an I'm broder of her, too. You promis
JUS now you don't get mad, an don
say she's Runnion neider wat spik dose
ting; dere's more dan i'm been talkin
i Is it true?'
| His sternness offended Burrell, for the
soldier was no the kind to discuss his
affairs in this way, therefore he drew
back scowlng.
''Poleon Doret" he said. tits not ones
enemies who do him injury, it's his
damned fool friends. have learned &c
/ regard you highly because you are q
brave man and an honest one, but i
seems that you are a sentimental idiot"
Dem is tough word" Doret replied
But dere's reason wy / can't tax or
no madness. You say I'm homes. Wal
I'm homes now. an 1 come to you wit
fair words an I show my han to you
I don hor out no cards, Msieu'-but
don't t'ink it is you who have play square
: altogether. I'm Necia's frien', an II
fight for her jus so queecker lax you
hut 7 mus know dis ting for sure, Sc
| If you have de good heart an de courage
of good man you'll tell me de truth. Dc
you have the feelin' for marry on herr
The pause that followed was awkward
| for both of them, while the girl, wh'
? stood concealed near by, held her breath
) and buried her nails in her palms. VIII!
did he hesitate? Would he never speak
! II seemd not for he swung between
| diverse emotions-anger that this out
slider should question him on so intimate
, a matter, chagrin at the knowledge o
having injured Necia, and rage, blln'
, rage. at the thought of its becoming
bar-room topic. Gradually the conviction
, grew that 1t was not question OF ldl'
curiosity with Doret. and the mans his
tory required to him. No wonder he wa
interested in the girl, no wonder n
: wished 70 guard her; he had been
: brother indeed. even as he said, and n
could have no motive save an honorable
one. II never occurred to the soldier tina
this Frenchman could harbor feeling
, akin to his own. The man was rough ant
foreign; his thoughts had been couche'
in harsher language. perhaps, than ne IN
tended: moreover the fellows high sens
: of honor was a byword-and Of suddel
i The desire to set himself right in thi
/, mans ewes dictated his answer.
ct am amazed at myself for listening Z
Won &" he said. at last, land quite shocked
in fact. at my answering your ques
lions hut perhaps I'd better, atte
all. First however. let me say that tn
little girl is just as pure now as sh
was before she knew me"
Poleon threw up his hand. "Msieu
OATS more closer to de insult dan wa
: YOU call me JUS now. You don need 10
spoke it,"
you're right! There's no need to tel
5 YOU that. AS for showing her certain at
tentions-well. I admit that l have as yo'
know, but, thank God, l can say w
heen n gentleman and addressed her a
. would the fairest lady I've known"