Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-03
CHAPTER XVI.
IoHN GALE's HOUR.

JOHN GALES HOUR.
NT was a heathenish time Of night
to arouse the girl, thought Burrell
as he left the barracks. but he
must allay these fears that were
besettng him; he must see Necia AZ
once. The low, drifting clouds OBJ
secured what star glow there was in
the heavens, and he stepped back to
light lantern.
A few moments later he stood above
the squaw, who crouched on the trad
er's doorstep. wailing her death song
into the night.
whats wrong? Where is Necia?
Where is she?" he demanded and at
last seized her roughly, facing her to
the light, but Alluna only blinked owl
ishly at his lantern and shook her
head.
"Gone away" she finally informed
him and began to weave again in her
despair, but he held her fiercely.
"Where has she gone? When did she
GOT" He shook her to quicken her re-
ply.
81 don't know; don't know. Long
time she's gone now" She trailed off
into Indian words he could not COM
prehend, SO he pushed past her into
the house to see for himself and with
out knocking flung Necia's door open
and stepped into her chamber. Before
he had swept the unfamiliar room with
his eyes he knew that she had indeed
gone, and gone hurriedly, for the signs
Of disorder betrayed reckless haste.
"When did she go, Alluna? For
Gods sake, what does this mean?" he
cried.
81 don't know. She come and she go,
and dom see her; mebbe three, four
hour ago."
"Where's Gale? He'll know. He's
gone after her, eh?"
The upward glow Of the lantern
heightened the young mans pallor, and
again the squaw broke into her sad
lament.
"John Gale-he's gone away with the
knife of my father. am afraid; am
afraid"
Ibid he come back here just now?"
"No. He went to the jail house. and
he would not let me follow. he dom
come back no more"
This was confusing, and Meade
cried angrily:
'Why didn't you give the alarm?
Why didn't you come to me instead Of
yelling your lungs out around the
housed"
"He told me to watt" she said sim
ply.
go find Poleon. quickr'
.sHe told me to watt" she repeated
stoically, and Burrell knew he was
powerless to move her. He saw the
image of great terror In the woman's
face. The night suddenly became
heavy with the hint Of unspeakable
things, and he grew fearful, suspect
ing now that Gale had told him but a
part of his story, that all the time he
knew Starlz's identity and that his
quarry was at hand, ready for the kill,
or, If not, he had learned enough while
standing behind that partition. Where
was he now? Where was Necia7
What part did she play in this? He
gave up trying to think and fed for
Stark's saloon, reasoning that where
one was the other must be near, and
there would surely be some word of
Necia. He burst through the door. A
quick glance over the place showed 1t
empty Of those he sought; but, spying
Poleon Doret, he dragged him outside,
inquiring breathlessly:
Have you seen CALEB"
sNo."
"Have you seen Stark? Has he been
abouty'
Yes; wan hour, mebbe two, hour
ago. Wy? Wat for you asks"
'There's the devil to pay. Those
two have come together. and Necia is
gone"
"Necia gone" the Canadian Jerked
out. wat you mean by dat? Were
she's gone to?"
Il don't know. Nobody knows.
Heaven! I'm shaking like e. leaf"
"Bah! She's feel purity bad. She's
go out by herself. OATS all right"
= tell you something has happened
to her! There's hi to pay! I found
her clothes at the house torn to rib
bons and all muddy and wet"
Poleon cried out at this.
We've got to find her and Gale, and
we haven't a minute to lose"
W'ere have you look?"
I've been to the house, but Alluna
Is crazy and says Gale has gone to
Kill Stark, as near as can make out.
Both Of them were at my quarters
! tonight, and I'm afraid the souaw Is
right"
"But Were Is Necia7''
I'VE don't know. Maybe Stark has
got her"
The Frenchman cursed horribly.
"Have you try hees cabane?'
mo"
Without answer the Trenchman
darted away, and the lieutenant sped
after him through the deserted rows
! OF log houses.
Burren gripped his companions arm
with fingers Of steel, and together
they crept up to the door. But even
before they had gained it they heard
voice within. It was stark's. The
3 walls Of the house were Of moss
chinked logs that deadened every
sound, but the door itself was Of thin
whipsawed pine boards with ample
cracks at top ana 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 K0Eda CANA To him ,nxe.