Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-05-05

Oe:Jre they Iiaa gained It they heard
voice within. II was Stark's. The
walls OF the house were OF moss
chlnked logs that deadened every
sound, but the door itself was Of thin
whlpsawed pine boards with ample
cracks at top and bottom, and they
heard plainly. The lieutenant leaned
forward. then with difficulty smoth-
cred an exclamation. for he heard an
other voice now-the voice of John
Gale. The words came to him muf.
fed, but distinct, and he raised his
hand TO knock when suddenly he seized
Poleon. kissing into his ear:
Listen. For Gods sake. listenr'
For the first time In his tempestuous
life Ben Stark lost the iron composure
that had made his name n byword in
the west. and at sight of his bltterest
enemy seated In the dark OF his own
house waiting for him he became an
ordinary. nervous, frightened man. 1t
was the utter unexpectedness OF the
thing that shook him, and before he
could regain his balance Gale spoke:
I've come to settle, Bennett"
what are you doing herep the
gambler stammered
II was up ut the soldiers place Just
now and heard you. l didn't want
any Interruptions, SO l came here,
where we can be alone" He paused
and when Stark made no answer con-
tinued. well. let's get at It." But
still the other made no move. you've
had all' the best OF It for twenty
years" Gale went on In his level
voice, but tonight / get even. I've
lived for this"'
THAT shot In Lees cabln?' recalled
standing. You knew me then"
yes"
Stark took deep breath. "what n
id fool I've been!"
"Your devils magic saved you that
time, but It won't stop this" The
trader rose slowly, with the knife In
his hand.
"You'll hang for this!" said the gam.
bier unsteadily, at which Gales face
blazed.
"IIa" exclaimed the trader exultlng.
ly. "You can feel 1t In you already,
eh?"
With an effort Stark began to assem-
Bile his wits as the trader continued;
you saddled your dirty work on me.
Ben Stark. and I've carried It for az.
teen years, but tonight put you. out
the way you put her out. An eye for
an eyer
II didn't kill her." said the man.
80? The yellow Is showing up at
last. knew you were n coward, but
didn't think you'd be afraid to own It
to yourself"
Look here" said Stark curiously,
do you really think killed Merridyr'
81 know II. A man who would strike
a woman would kill hcr-if lie had the
] nerve"
Stark had now mastered himself and
smiled.
"Ny hate worked better than
thought. Well, well, that made 1t hard
for you. didn't ~" he chuckled. ~
supposed. OF course, you knew"
Knew" Gales face showed emo
, tion for the first time. "I<new whatf"
His hands were QuivcrIng slightly.
"She killed herself"
$50 help you God2'
$50 help me GoGr
There was long pause.
"Whyf"
Say, It's kind OF funny our stand.
Ing here talking about that thing. Isn't
IT. Well, II you want to know, came
home early that night. ] guess you
hadn't been gone two hours. And the
surprise did 1t more than anything
else, suppose. She hadn't prepared
story. got suspicious, named you
at random and hit the nail on the
hea.i e
Gales face was like chalk. and bis
voice sounded thin and dry us he said;
you beat her; that's why she did
IL"
Stark made no answer
'The papers said the room showed
struggle"
When the other still kept quiet Gale
insisted
''Didnt youf"
At this Stark famed M dcIinantiy,
"Wcll, | guess ! had cause enough
No woman except her was ever untrhs
to me wife or sweetheart"
You didn't really thlnk''-
"rhink HI! thought 50 then, and