The Holly chieftain., 1909-03-19
CHAPTER ".
THE SOLDIER FINDS AN uNTRoppEy yA1.
LEY.

Il I"ty ioI Necld upon learning
her fathers relation to AL
luna. but this also largely vanished
when he found that the girl was en-.
tirely oblivious to its Significance. He
had tried her In many subtle ways and
found that she regarded the matter In
nOcently. as customary, and therefore
In the light OF an accepted convention,
nor did she seem to see anything in
her blood or station to render her infe-
rior to other women. She questioned
him tirelessly about his sister, and he
was glad of this. for it placed no con-
straint between them.
AS for her. each day brought keen
er delight, She unfolded before the
kentuckian like some beautiful wood
land flower and through innumerable
unnoticed familiarities took him into
her innermost confidence.
A month Of this went by, and then
Runnion returned. He came on an up
going steamer. The manner Of his
coming was bold. for he stood fairly
upon the ships deck. and his smile
was evil now. as it had been before
With him was Il stranger. When the
boat was at rest Runnion sauntered
down the Gangplank and up to the
lieutenant. who stood above the land
ing place and who noted that the scar.
close up against his hatband. was
scarce healed. He accosted the officer
with an insolent assurance.
"Well, I'm back again, you see, and
I'm back to stay
Very well. Runnion. Did you bring
an outfit with you?"
Yes. and I'm pretty fat besides"
He shook II well laden gold sack at the
officer
What do you want in this place
anyhow" demanded Burrell curiously.
"None Of your ID business" the
man answered. grinning
BE sure ii isn't" retorted The lieu
tenant. because it would please me
right down to the ground II it were.
I'd like to get you"
I'm glad we understand each 9th
err" RunnioD said. falling into conver-
satiOn with the stranger. who had
been surveying the town without leav-
ing he boat Evidently this man had
a voice in Runnion's affairs for he
not only gave him Instructions. but
bossed the crew who handled his mer-
chandise. and Meade Burreli concluded
that he must be some incoming ten
derfoot who had grub staked the des-
perado to prospect in the hills back OF
E'lambeau AS the two came up past
him he saw that he was mistaken
This man was no more of tenderfoot
than Runnion On the contrary, he
had bearing of one to whom new
countries are old. who had trod the
edge of things all his life. There was
a hint of the meat eating animal about
him. His nose was keen and hawk
like, his walk and movements those of
the predatory beast. and as he passed
by Burreil observed that his eyes were
Of peculiar cruelty that went well
with his thin lips He was older by
far than Runnion; but, while the latter
was mean visaged and staggering. the
strangers manner was noticeable for
its repression.
Impeled by an irresistible desire to
learn something about the man. the
lieutenant loitered after RunniOn and
his companion and entered the store
in time to see the latter greet No
Creek Lee, the prospector. who had
come into town for more food. Both
men spoke with quiet restraint.
Mine years since | saw you, Stark"
said the miner. Where you bound!'
THE diggings" replied Stark as Lee
addressed the stranger.
Mining now!"
mo: same old thing, but I'm grub
sinking a few men, as usual. One of
them stays here. may open house
in Dawson If the camp is as good as
they say it is"
This here's a good place for YOU
Stark laughed noiselessly and with
out mirth Zine! There must be
hundred people living here"
Never mind: you take 1t from me-
said the miner positively. "and get in
now on the quiet There's something
doing" His one sharp eye detected
the lieutenant close by, so he drew his
friend aside and began talking to him
earnestly ana WIN such evIuent erect
as to alter Stark's plans on the mo-
ment. for when Runnion entered the
store shortly Stark spoke to him quick
ly, following which they both hurried
back to the steamer and saw to the
unloading of much additional freight