Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-01
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e TIE !
4IBARRIFR
BY s
REX BEACH


Justed his sweeps; then Stark laid
hand on the PROV and showed the light
boat out into the current, calling softly:
"Goodby and good luckl"
@Goodby, Mr.. stark. Thank you ever
20 much" the girl replied, too numb
and worn out to say much or to notice
or care whittier she was bound or who
was her boatman. She had been swept
along too swiftly to reason or fear for
herself any more.
Stark did not return to his cabin, but
went back instead to his saloon, where
he saw Poleon Doret still sprawling
with elbows on the table, his hat pulled
low above his sullen face. Stark then
went out and down toward the bar
racks. A light behind the drawn cur
tains Of the officers house told thai
Burrell was not abed, but he waited n
long moment after bis 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 ht
found the young man alone In a smok,
filled room, with bottle and two
empty glasses on the table.
For at the sound Of his voice Gale
had whispered to Burrell, 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
at the rear. It was only natural, he
reasoned, that Gale should dislike to
t face man like Stark before he had
regained his composure.
I "Go In there and wait TIL see what
he wants." he had said, and, shutting
the old man in, he had gone forth to
admit Stark. Stark entered and closed
the door.
1--WE got some work for you, lieuten-
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 a peaceful
man, want to go by the law" His
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: cts little late
for polite conversation. Come to the
point"
1--WE got a murderer for you"
you've had killing in your place.
eh?"
"No; I've just made discovery. l
found 1t all out by accident, too-pure
accident. By heaven, you can't tell
me there isn't a beneficent Providence
overlooking our affairs. He's friend
! OF yours and highly respected party
He's a glorious example to this whole
river. He's everybody's friend. Hes
the shining mark Of this whole coun
try. He's the benevolent renegade
Squaw Man Gale. Gaylord is his name
and I was fool not to know il
sooner"
The disclosure had not affected the
soldier as Stark expected, and his an
ger began to lift itself.
"The mans murderer. Hes want
ed in California, where I came from
Hes been indicted. and there's a price
on his head. He's hidden for fifteen
years, but he'll hang as sure as stand
here"
Burrell knew he must gain time for
thought. One false step might ruin
all He could not face this on the
spur OF the moment; SO, struggling his
shoulders with an air Of polite skep-
ttcism, he assumed tone Of good ma
tured raillery.
"Fifteen years7 Murder? John Gale
a murderer Why, that's almost
pardon me II smile-rm getting
sleepy. What proof have you?"
proof" blazsd the gambler. "Proof!
Ask Gaylordl Proof! Why, the wo-
man he murdered was my wife!'
It was Burrells turn now to fall In
coherent and not only did his speech
forsake him, but his thoughts went
madly veering OF into wilderness
where there was no trail. no light, no
hope. What frightful bones were
these he barred? This man was Ben
nettl This was Necia'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 this
heinous crime, was the slayer of Ne
cla's mother, for he did not doubt
Gales story for an instant. He found
his fingers writing to feel the crea-
ture's throat.
"Proofw Stark was growing. "How
much proof do you need? I've fol-
lowed him for fifteen years. I've
tracked him with men and dogs
through woods and deserts and mining
camps. I've slept on his trail for
5000 miles. ana now do you think I'm
mistaken He Killed my wife, say,
and robbed me Of my little girl! That's
her In his house. That's her he calls
Necia. She's my girl-my girl, do you
nnderstand!-and I'll have his life"
Burrell had no inkling yet of the
fathers well shaped plans nor how
farreaching they were and could bare
" stammer:
$50! You-you known
Yes! She wears the evidence
around her neck, and II that isn't
enough ! can furnish mors-evidence
enough 10 smother you. My name
isn't Stark at all. changed It years
ago for certain reasons. I've changed
It more than once. bpt that's my priv
ileee and my own affair. Her name is
Merridy Bennett"
y don't suppose you know I'm go.
ln9 To marry her@s s.id tho KortuoL