Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-23
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4 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
filled room. with bottle and two
empty glasses on the table.
For at the sound Of his voice Gale
had whispered to Burrcll. Keep him
out!' and the lieutenant had decided
to refuse his late visitor admittance
when he lighted on the expedient of
concealing the trader in the bedroom
Mt the rear. 1t was only natural, he
reasoned, that Gale should dislike to
face Il man like Stark before he had
rcgaincd his composure.
eco in there and walt till see what
he wants." lie had said. and, shutting
the old man in, he had gone forth to
admit Stark. Stark entered and closed
the door.
"l've got some work for you, leuten-
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. want to go by the law" Els
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 murderer for you"
you've had killing in your place.
eh?"
"No; I've just made a discovery.
found 1t all out by accident, too-puro
accident. By heaven. you can't tell
me there isn't beneficent Providence
overlooking our affairs. He's friend
Of yours and u 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 l was fool not to know 1t
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 us stand
here"
Burrell knew he must gain time for
thought. One false step might ruin
all. BE 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 I smile-I'm getting
sleepy. What proof have your"
"proof!" blazed the gambler. proof!
Ask Gaylord! Proof! Why, the wo-
man he murdered was my wife,
| 1t was Burrell's turn now to fall in.
coherent. and not only did his speech
forsake him, but his thoughts went
mndly yeering Off into a wilderness
where there was no trail. no light, nc
hope. What frightful bones were
these lie barred? This man was Ben
nett! This was Nccia's father! He
raised pair Of eyes that had become
furious and bloodshot and suddenly
realized that the man before him. who
persisted in saddling upon Gale thi,
heinous crime. was the slayer of Ne
cia's mother for he did not doub
Gales story for an instant. He fount
his fingers writing to feel the crea
lures throat.
proof! Stark was growing. "Hov
much proof do you need?- I've fol
lowed him for fifteen years. Nv
tracked him with men and dog
through woods and deserts and mimi,
camps. I've slept on his trail TO
1000 miles. md now do you think Tn
mistnken2 He killed my wife, Say
and robbed me of my little girl! That
her in his house. That's her he call
Necia. She's my girl-my girl, do 70,
understand?-an Ill have his life"
Burrcll had no inkling yet Of tn
fathers well shaped plans nor hoy
farreaching they were and could bare
~ stammer:
$50! You-you know?"
Eyes! She wears the evidenc
around her neck, and If that ISM
enough can furnish more-evidenc
enough to smother you. My nam
isn't Stark at all. changed 1t year.
ago for certain reasons. I've changed
1t more than once, but that's my priv
ilege and my own affair. Her name Il
Merridy Bennett"
II don't suppose you know I'm go
ing to marry herr" said the Kentuck
ian irrelevantly.
"No." replied the other; II WASH
aware of the fact"
, well. am. I'll be your son-in
law"
There's a lot of things, Burrell, fol
you and me to settle up first. For on,
thing, want those mines Of hers
I'm her father, and she's not of age
I'll take them anyway rs her next Of
kim"
Burrell did not follow up this state
ment, for its truth was incontroverti
bic, so he continued:
We'll adjust that after Gale is at
tended to. But meanwhile what dc
you want me to dog" Z.
II want you to arrest the man who
killed my wife. If you don't take him
the miners will. I've got following
in this camp. and I'll raise n crowd in
fifteen minutes-enough to hang this
squaw man or batter down your bar.
racks to get him. But don't want to
do that l want to go by the law
you've talked so much about. l want