The Holly chieftain. (Holly, Colo.) 1897-1987, 1909-10-22


hard"
you couldn't Snd no trace Of himr'
said Lee.
mo trace whatever" Father Bar
mum replied. -but be will surely reach
some place Of refuge where we can
pick him mp. for the days are still mid
and the woods full Of berries"
aI'N be on the lookout for him." said
the lieutenant grimly.
When the voluble old priest had at
last exhausted his narrative be re-
quested Of Burrell the privilege Of
few words and drew him apart from
the others. His face was warm with
understa nding.
II had long conversation with my
little girl. for she Is like daughter to
me. and ! discovered the depth Of her
love for you. DO you love her as much
a. you shouldT'
"As much az can. They don't make
words OF numbers big enough to tell
you how dear she is to me-"
''Then why delay? Tomorrow leave
again. and one never knows what q
day may bring forth"
But Stark the young man cried.
Hes her father you know. He's like
a mailman. and she's still under age"
Il know very little Of law outside OF
the church" the father observed but.
as l understand 1t, II she marbles be-
fore he forbids her the law will hold
him powerless. Now, he has never
made himself known to her. he has
never forbidden her anything, and, al
though my conclusion may not be cor
rect. ! believe 1t is. and you have
chance II you make haste. AT your
age, my boy. never needed a spur"
"A spur: Good Lord! I'm from
Kentucky"
Once she is yours before God your
hold Will be stronger In the eyes Of
men. IL ! am wrong and he takes her
from YOU well. may some other priest
rewed you two. shan't."
Don't worry" laughed Burrell,
ablaze at the thought. You're the
only preacher who'll kiss my bride.
for I'm Jealous man. and all the
Starks and all the fathers In the world
WON'T get her away from me- Do you
think shell do 1t z?
"A woman in love will do anything"
Burrel seized the little man by the
hand. If | had known more law you
needn't have given me this hint"
Together they went into the traders
house
Back IN the store there was silence
after the priest and the soldier went
out which Gale broke at last:
This forgiveness talk is all right,
suppose. but | want Runnion.'
We'll git him. too.'' growled Lee. at
which I'oleon uttered curt exclama-.
tion.
Nor
why notY" said the miner.
WAL" the Canadian drawled slow
~ then paused to light the cigarette
he had rolled In a Bit Of wrapping pa
per. inhaled the smoke deeply to the
bottom Of his lungs held II there a
moment and blew it out through mouth
and nostrils before adding. you'll JUS
be wastin' tam"
Gale looked UP from beneath his
thatch of brow and asked quietly:
WHY"
"You member story | toll you wan
day two. tree mont ago" Poleon re-
marked, with apparent evasion. bout
Johnny Platt wat ! ketch on de Por-
cupine all ct up by skeeter bugs?"
II do" answered Gale
"Waar"-he met their eyes square
! ". then drew another long breath
from his cigarette-"rm JUS hopin'
nobody don pick 1t up dis Runniop
teller de same way Mebbe dey f3n'
bees hans tie benin I'm wit piece Of
bees shirt"
Good Godv' cried the trader. start.
| ing to his feet. "You-you'-
"Of course I'm JUS s'posin'. He was
feel purity good wen lef. He was
feel SO good TAX bees cont for keep
in on dem bugs from me. because
jef it my own shirt on de canoe Hes
nice Teller dat way, He give up easy.
IA gosh, never dee worse place for
| akeeters!''
Gale fell silent, and "No Creek Lee
began to swear in little. useless. inef-
fective oaths which were but two
ways Of showing similar emotions
/, Then the former stepped up and laid
big hand upon Poleon's shoulder.
"That saves US quite trip" he said
Father Barnum found the three still
talking in the store when he had fin
ished an hours counsel with Necia, SO
came STRAIGHT to the pOint II was