Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-20
609;} THE !
4AlBAR!RIER
By
/I1NA REX BEACH
Observation-Disclosures ERy
CHAPTER VII.
THE MAGIC OF BEN STARK.

"a
reached the cabin, and Burrell
rose nervously and sauntered
to the door. Uncertain how this affair
might terminate. he chose to get first
look at his enemies. IL they should
prove to be such, realizing the advan.
tage that goes to 4 man who stands
squarely on both feet. Then he heard
Lee say:
"wsll, III be Id! Somebody's
here ahead Of u.s.
"We've been beateny' growled stark
angrily, pushing past him and coming
around the corner, an ugly look in his
eyes.
"Good afternoon" Burrell nodded
pleasantly.
Lee answered him uninteliigibly.
Stark said nothing, but Runnion's ex-
clamation was plain.
TITS that cursed blue bellyv'
"When did you get here7" said Stark
after pause.
"a few hours ago."
GLOW did you Gomez" asked Lee.
'Black Bear creek" said the soldier
CURLY, at which Runnion broke into
profanity.
"Better hush," Burrell admonished
him. '"There's lady inside" And al
that instant Necia showed her laugh.
ing face under his arm, while the
trader uttered her name in amaze.
ment.
"Lunch is ready" she said. 'we've
been expecting you for quite awhile"
"Ba garl OATS funny ting fol
sure" said Poleon. ''Who toll you
bout dis strike, eh?'
Mother. I made her." the girl an.
swered.
'"Take of your packs and come in,"
Burrell invited, but Stark strobe for.
ward.
"Hold on minute. This don't look
good to me. You say your mother told
you. I suppose you're Old Man Gales
other daughter, eh2'
Necia nodded.
"What time Of day was 1t when you
learned about this?'
''Cut that out!'' roughly interjected
Gale. do you think I double crossed
you?"
The other turned upon him.
''1t looks that way, and intend to
find out. You said yesterday you
hadn't told anybody"
81 didn't think about the woman"
said the trader, trifle disconnected
whereupon Runnion gave vent to an
ironical sneer.
"But here's your girl and this mar
ahead Of us. suppose there's others
on the way too"
'Nonsensev' Burren cut in.
II call 1t sleek work." chuckled the
Canadian, slipping out Of his straps.
''De mex tam go stampedin' I talk
you long, Necia."
''Me, too" said Lee. "And now Tn
goin' to tear into some Of them beans
I smell a-bilin' In yonder.''
The others followed, although Stark
and Runnion looked black and had lit.
tie to ray. It was an uncomfortable
meal. Every one was III at ease. Gale
In particular was quiet and ate less
than any Of them. His eyes sought
Stark's face frequently, and once the
blood left his cheeks and his eyes
blazed as he observed the gambler
boldly eying Necia.
"You are mighty good looking girl
for Blood" remarked Stark at last.
'Thank you," she replied simply, and
the soldiers dislike Of the man crystal.
lized into hate on the instant. There
was a tone back Of his words that
seemed aimed at the trader, Meade
thought but Gale showed no sign Of
II, SO the meal was finished in silence,
after which the 1--WE belated prospect
ors went out to make their locations.
for the fear Of interruption was upon
them now.
First they went downstream, and
according to their agreement, the trad
er staked first followed by Poleon and
Stark, thus throwing Runnion's claim
more than a mile distant from Lees
discovery. From here they went up
the creek to find the girls other loca.
lions, one on each branch, at which
Stark sneeringlys remarked that she
had pre-empted enough ground for q
full grown white woman.
Runnion's displeasure was even more
open, and he fell into foul nouthed
mutterings, addressing himself to Po-
leon and Stark while the trader was
out Of earshot
This affair don't smell right, and
still think It's q frame-up."
"Bahw exclaimed Doret.
1.-THE old man sent the girl on ahead
Of US to blanket all the good ground.
That's what he dtdy'
"Wait wan minnit" interrupted Pc.
leon, his voice as soft as woman's
II toll you dat know all bout dis
Black Bear creek too. You member,
eh2 WAL, mebbe you t'ink I'm traitor
too? W'at2 wy dom you spik outY'
The three Of them were alone, and
only the sound Of Gales ak came to
them, but at the light in the Cana
dams face Runnion hastily disclaimed
any such thought on his part and
Stark shrugged his denial.
There are men quite devoid Of the
ability to read the human face, and
Runnion was Of this species. More.
over, malice was so bitter in his mouth
that he must have It out So when
they paused to blaze the next stake he
addressed himself to Stark loud enough
for Poleon to hear.