Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
T H E.
CHAPTER xvH.-The Love of Pc
leon Doret.
By REX BEACH,
Author of THE SPOILERS"


IL the procession OF natural events must
have ceased. that there was no longer
any time. for she had been sunering
steadily for hours and hours without
end and began 10 wonder oreamlly
whether she had not skipped day in
her reckoning between the time when she
first heard OF the strike on her claim ana
this present moment II occurred 70 her
that she was q rich girl now in her own
right. and she smiled her crooked smile,
As she reflected that the thing she had
lonred for without hope OF attainment
had come with confusing swiftness, ana
had left her unhappier than ever /.
would the day never come? She pulled
the rugs up closer about her as the
morning chill made her shiver. She found
herself keeping mechanical count win
the sound OF the sweeps-they must De
making good speed. she thought ana the
camp must be miles behind now. Had II
heen earlier In the season, when the
,sver ran fun OF drift. they never could
have gone thus in the dark, but the
water was low and the chances Of col
usion 50 remote as to render blind travel
safe Even vet she could not distinguish
her oarsman. except as black bulA' lot
n mad been a lowering night and the
anproaching dawn failed 10 break
through the blanket OF cloud that hung
above the great valley. he was good
hoatman. however, as she gathered from
the tireless regularity Of his strokes ne
was a silent man. too. and she was
grateful for that She snuggled down
trso her blanket and tried 70 sleep. but
size only dozed for a minute, II seemed,
20 ana her eyes hy wide open again. SO,
restless and tired OF her lonely vigil, she
gave a premOnitOTy cough. and said TO
her companion;
You must be tired rowing so stead
n.y.
..Oh. I don't mind it, he replied
At the sound OF his voice she sat bolt
,r-5pht II couldn't be-if this were Run
MON, he would have spoken oefore- she
ventured again, TREMENDOUSLY;
Have YOU any idea what time IL is
about 3 o'clock. / fancy
.sWho are yOu?" The question came
IKE a shot
Don't you know
what are you doing here. Mr.. Run
nionTs' -,,--
I'm rowing" he answered. earelessly.
why didn't you speak, vague
feeling OF uneasineSs came over her'
suspicion that all was not right. so she
waited for him TO explain. and when ne
did not she repeated her question.
what made you keep still so longE You
knew who l was?'
ssWeu it's the first time I ever took
You on a midnight row. and / wanted 10
enjoy IT,
me mockery in his voice quickened her
apprehension. or a sudden the fear OF
being misjudged impelled her TO end THIS
eight that had become so distastetuI IN
A moment. preferring TO face the people
n the most rather than continue her
Journey with this man
I've changed my mind. Mr. Runnion'
she said
Il don't want to go down to the Mis-
sion. want you TO take me back
Cant do it," he said; the current Is
TOO swift"
SThen set me ashore and I'll walk back.
II can't be far 10 town"
twenty-five miles. We've been out
about three hours" He kept on rowing
steadily. and although the distance they
had gone frightened her. she summoned
her courage 10 say:
I'VE can make that easily enough, run
IN TO the bank"
He ceased rowing and let the boat drift
with dragging sweeps. filed his pipe and
lighted It, then took up his oars again
and resumed his labOrs-
Please do as 1 ask you, Mr.. Runnion.
I've decided 1 don't want to go any far
Their" He laughed and the sound aroused
her. "Put me ashore this minute!' she
cried, Indignantly. What do you meang"
You've got a fierce temper, haven't
your"
sswm you do it or not?'
When he made no answer. except TO con-
tinue the maddening mOnOtony OF his
movements, she was seized with a rash
resolve 10 wrench the oars out Of his
hands. and make a quick motion towards
him. az which he shouted:
sit down! Do you want to upset us2'
The unstable craft lurched and dipped
dangerously. and. realizing the futility of
her mad impulse. she sank back on her
knees.
Put me ashore!''
NO." he said. mot till I'm ready. Now.
keep your seat or Wen both drown; this
Amt a ferry-boat." After a few strokes.
unies you tame that temper"
Were not going 10 get along together,
DIR. Runnion-only as far as the Mission.
] dare say you can tolerate me until
then. can you not7' She said this bit
ingly.
Stark told me to board the first boa,
for St MichaeTs." he said, disregarding
her sarcasm. but I've made a few plans
Of my own the last hour or So
est AIichael's, Mr.. Stark told you
why. that's impossible. You misunder-
stood him He told you TO row me to the
Mission I'm going to Father Barnum's
house"
mo. you're not. and 1 didn't misunder-
stand him He wants TO get you outside
AL right. but reckon you'd rather go as
Mira RunniOn than as the sweetheart o.
Ben Stark
Are you crazy2' the girl cried Mr.
Stark kindly offered TO help me reach the
Father az his Mission. I'm nothing "a
him. and I'm certainly not going 10 b.
anything 20 you II I'd known you were
going 10 row the boat. 1 should have
stayed al home. because I detest you"
You'll get over that"
I'm not in the humOr for jokes"
He rested again on his oars, and said
with elaboration:
STARK kindly offered did he2 Well
whenever Ben Stark kindly offers any
thing. I'm in on the play He's had his
eye on you for the last three months
and he wants you. but he slipped a COS
when he gave me the oars. You neednl
be afraid. though. I'm going TO do thu
square thing by you. Wen stop in at tho
Mission and be married. and then wei
see whether we want 20 go TO ST. Mi
chaers. or not. though personally I'm FOL
going back 10 FIambeau."
During the hours while he had waited
for Necia 10 discover his identity, th'
mans mind had not been idle; he had de