Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-15

Heaven! I'm sinking like leaf"
"Bahl She's feel purity bad. She's
60 out by herself. OATS ali right"
II tell you something has happened
to her! There's hi to pay! found
her clothes at the house torn to rib.
bons and oil muddy md wet"
Polcon cried out at this.
We've got to find her and Gale, and
we haven't minute to lose"
Were have you lookT'
1--WE been to the house. but Alluna
Is 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?'
1--WE don't know. Maybe Stark has
got her"
The Trenchman cursed horribly
'Have you try bees cnbanc?"
mo"
Without answer the Trenchman
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 1t they heard
a 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
whipsawed pine boards with ample
cracks at top and bottom. and they
heard plainly. The lieutenant leaned
forward, then with difficulty smoth-
other voice now-thc voice of John
Gale. The words came to him muf-
fled. but distinct. and he raised his
hand to knock when suddenly he seized
Poleon, Kissing into his ear:
Listen! For Gods sake, listen.
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 he
could regain his balance Gale spoke:
i've come to settle, Bennett"
what are you doing here" the
gambler stammered.
II was up Mt the soldiers place Just
now and heard you. l didn't want
any interruptions, so came here,
where we can be alone" He paused
and when Stark made no answer con.
tinued, well. let's get at it," But
still 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 then?'
YES"
Stark took q deep breath. what a
ID fool I've been!"
"Your devils magic saved you that
time. but 1t won't stop this" The
trader rose slowly, with the knife In
his hand.
You'll hang for thisw said the gam
bier unsteadily, at which Gales face
blazed.
"Ia." exclaimed the trader exulting.
ly. You can feel 1t in you already,
eh?"
With an effort Stark began to assem-
BILE his wits as the trader continued:
you saGdled 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.
80? The yellow is showing up at
last. l 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 l killed McrridyT'
Il know 1t. A man who would strike
q woman would kill her-if he had the
nerve"
Stark had now mastered himself and
smiled
"My hate worked better than
thought. Well, well that made it hard
lOI you, IL uc NuuCHlcu.
supposed. Of course, you knew"
"Knew" Gales face showed emo
ton for the first time. "Knew what"
His hands were quivering slightly.
"She killed herself"
$50 help you God?"
$50 help me God"
There was long pause.
"Whyi"
Say, it's kind Of funny our stand
Ing here talking about that thing, isn't
It? Well, IL you want to know, l came
home early that night l guess YOU
hadn't been gone two hours. And the
surprise did 1t more than anything
else, I suppose. She hadn't prepared
story. l got suspicious. named YOU
at random and hit the nail on the
head"
Gales face was like chalk. and bis
voice sounded thin and dry Us he said
you beat her; that's why she did
It,"
Stark made no answer.
al IT.