The Holly chieftain., 1909-06-25
~ : J
.Rave you seen Caller.

Have you seen Starkl Has he been
aboutr'
"Yes; wan hour. mebbe two. hour
ago. WY Wat for you ask?'
'.There's the devil to pay. Those
two have come together, and Es,1::a is
eons."
"Necia gone! the Canadian jerked
cut "W'at you mean by dat? Were
she's gone tor
II don't know. Nobody knows.
Heaven! I'm shaking like leaf"
bah! She's feel purity bad. She's
% out by herself. OATS all right"
II tell you something has happened
10 her! There's hi to pay! 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
Ne haven't minute to lose"
"W'ere have you look?"
1--WE been to the house. but Alluna
II 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 squaw is
right"
"But were is Necia 2"
sWe don't know. Maybe Stark has
got her."
The Frenchman cursed horribly.
''Have you try hees cabane"
~No."
Without answer the Frenchman
darted away, and the lieutenant sped
after him through the deserted rows
Of log houses.
Burrell 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
Z voice within. 1t was Stark's. The
walls Of the house were Of moss
chinked logs that deadened every
sound, but the door itself was of thin
whipsaw wed pine boards with ample
cracks at top and 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 words came to him muf-
fed, but distinct, and he raised his
hand to knock when suddenly he seized
Poleon. kissing into his ear:
Listen! For Gods sake. listenw
For the first time in his tempestuous
life Ben Stark lost the iron composure
that had made his name byword in
the west. and at sight of his bitterest
enemy seated in the dark of his own
house waiting for him he became an
ordinary, nervous, frightened man. 1t
was the utter unexpectedness Of the
thing that shook him. and before be
could regain his balance Gale spoke:
1--we come to settle, Bennett"
what are you doing here?" the
gambler stammered.
II was up at the soldiers place just
now and heard you. didn't want
any Interruptions, SO l came here.
where we can be alone" He paused
and when Stark made no answer con-
tinued, well, let's get at it." But
stil the other made no move. You've
had all the best of 1t for twenty
years." Gale went on In his level
voice, ''but tonight get even. I've
lived for this!'
THAT shot In Lees cabin?" recalled
Stark, with the light of new under
standing. 'You knew me thenT
''Yss."
stark took deep breath. What
I'D fool I've beenv'
"Your devils magic saved you that
time, but It won't stop this" The
trader rose slowly, with the knife in
his hand.
you'll hang for this!. said the gam
bier unsteadily, at which Gales face
blazed.
"Ha" exclaimed the trader exulting-
ly. you can feel 1t In you already,
eh?"
With an effort Stark began to assem-
BILE bis wits as the trader continued:
"You saddled your dirty work on me,
Ben Stark, and I've carried 1t for If
teen years, but tonight / put you out
the way you put her out. An eye for
an eye"
II didn't kill her." said the man.
$50? The yellow is showing up at
last. knew you were coward. but
didn't think you'd be afraid to own It
to yourself"
"Look here" said Stark curiously.
do you really think killed MerridyT'
II know it. A man who would strike
a woman would kill her--if he had the
nerve"
Stark had now mastered himself and
smiled.
my hate worked better than l