Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05
illustrated by
DENMAN FINK
CHAPTER XVI.-John Gales Hour
By REX BEACH,
Author of THE SPOILERS"

CHAPTER XVI.-JOhn Gales Hour.
It was a heathenish time OF night to
arouse the girl, thought Burrell. as he left
the barracks, but he must allay these
fears that were besetting him, he must
see Necia at once. The low, drifting
clouds obscured what star-glow there was
in the heavens, and he stepped back TO
light lantern. BY its light he looked at
his watch and exclaimed then held II to
his ear. Five hours had passed since he
left Gales house. Well, the call was
urgent. and Necia would understand his
anxiety.
A few moments later he stood above the
squaw, who crouched on the traders door
step, wafling her death song into the
night. He could not check her; she paid
no. heed to him. but only rocked and
moaned and chanted that strange, weird
song which somehow gave strength to his
fears.
whats wrong: where is Necia? Where
is she?" he demanded, and at last seized
her roughly, facing her to the light, but
Alluna only blinked owlishly at his Ian
tern and shook her head.
Gone away" she finally informed him,
and began TO weave again in her despair,
but he held her fiercely.
Where has she gone? When did she
go?" He shook her to quicken her reply.
4
time she's gone now" She trailed off into
Indian words he could not comprehend,
so he pushed past her into the house TO
see for himself. and without knocking
1'mg Necia's door open and stepped into
her chamber Before he had swept the
unfamiliar room with his eyes he knew
that she had indeed gone, and gone hur-
riedly, for the signs of disorder betrayed
a reckless haste. Hanging across the
back of a chair was what had once been
the wondrous dress, Poleon's gift, now
damp and dragged ruin, and on the moor
were -tvo sooden satin slippers and a pair
Of wet silk stockings. He picked up the
lace gown and saw that IL was torn from
shoulder to waist. What insanity had
possessed the girl to rip her garment
thus?
.sshe take her mother dress; the one
make las summer" said Alluna, who had
followed him in and stood staring as he
stared.
~when did she go. Alluna? For Gods
sake. what does this mean?"
u don't know! She come and she go,
and 1 dom see her; mebbe three four
hour ago"
where's Gale? He'll know. hes gone
after her. eh?"
The upward glow Of the lantern height
ened the young mans pallor, and again
the squaw broke into her sad lament.
'John Gale-he's gone away with the
knife of m yfather. 1 am afraid am
afraid"
Burrell forced himself to speak calmly;
this was no time to let his wits stampede.
How long ago?'
Long time"
..Did he come back here just now?"
mo: he went to the jail-house, and he
would not let me follow. He don come
back no more"
This was confusing. and Meade cried,
angrily:
'sWhy didn't you give the alarm? Why
didn't you come to me instead of yelling
your lungs out around the houseE
HE told me to wait she said sim
ply.
Go find Poleon, quick"
He told me to wait" she repeated,
stoically, and Burrell knew he was pow
erless to remove her. He saw the i'm
age of a great terror in the woman's
face. The night suddenly became heavy
with the hint of unspeakable things, and
he grew fearful, suspecting now that
Gale had told him but a part of his story,
that all the time he knew Stark's iden-
/ tity and that his quarry was at hand,
ready for the kill; or, If not, he had
learned enough while standing behind
that partition. Where was he now?
Where was Necia? What part did she
play in this? Stark's parting words struck
Burrell again like a blow. This lifelong
| feud was drawing swiftly to some tragic
elimination, and somewhere out in the
darkness those two strong, hate-filled men
were settling their scores. All at once a
fear for the traders life came upon the
young man, and he realized that a great
bond held them together. He could not
think clearly, because of the dread thing
that gripped him at thought of Necia.
Was he to lose her, after all? He gave
I'D trying TO think. and fed for Stark
saloon, reasoning that where one was
the other must be near. and there would
surely be some word OF Necia- He burst
through the door; a quick glance over
the place showed il empty Of those he
sought, but, spying Poleon Doret, he
dragged him outside. inquiring breathless-
ly:
Have you seen Caller"
NO"
Have you seen Stark? Has he been
about?'
yes, wan hour. mebbe two hour ago.
wy? wat for you ask?'
There's the devil to pay. Those two
have come together, and Necia is gone"
'sNecia gomez the Canadian jeriked out.
wat you mean by dat? Were she's
gone tor
'I don't know-nobody knows. God!
I'm shaking like a leaf
"Bahi She's feel purity bad! She's go
/ out by herself. OATS all right"
IT tell you something has happened to
her; there's hell to pay. I found her
clothes at the house torn to ribbons and
all muddy and wet"
Poleon cried out at this
We've got to find her and Gale, ana
we haven't a minute to lose. I'm afraid
we're too late as it is. I wish it was