Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05

though he could not see him. for the Ian
tern shed a sickly gloom over the chaos
He was locked desperately with John
Gale, who flung him about and handled
him like a child. lighting like an old
gray wolf, hoary with years and terrible
! in his rage. Burreu had never been 50
battered and harried and torn; only for
the lanterns light Gale would doubtless
have sheathed his weapon in his new as
sailant, but the more fiercely the trader
struggled, the more tenaciously the SOL
der chung. AS it was, Gale carried the
Lieutenant with him and struck over his
J head at Stark.
| Poleon had leaped into the room at
Burrelrs heels, to receive the impact of
heavy body hurled backwards into his
arms as if by some irresistible force.
He seized it and tore it away from the
thing that pressed after and bore down
upon 1t with the ferocity of wild beast.
He saw Gale reach over the lieutenant
head and swing his arm. saw the knife
| blade bury itself in what he held, then
saw it rip away, and felt a hot stream
squirt into his face. So closely was the
Canadian tangled with Stark that he fan
cied for an instant that the weapon had
wounded both of them for the trader
had aimed at his enemy's neck where 1t
Joined the shoulder, but hampered by the
soldier, his blow went astray about four
inches Doret glimpsed Burrell rising
from his knees, his arms about the trad
er's waist, and the next instant the COM
batants were dragged apart.
The lieutenant wrenched the dripping
blade from Gales hand; it no longer
cleaned, but was warm and slippery in
his fingers. Poleon held Stark's gun,
which was empty and smoking.
The fight had not lasted a minute,
and yet what terrible havoc had been
wrought! The gambler was drenched
with his own blood, which gushed from
him, black in the yellow flicker, and so
plentifully that the Frenchman was be-
fouled with it, while Gale, too, was horri-
/ bly, stained, but whether from his own
or his enemy's veins it was hard to tell.
The trader paid no heed to himself nor
to the, intruders, allowing Burrell to push
him back against the WALL the breath
wheeling in and out of his lungs, his eyes
fastened on Stark.
! 'I got YOU Bennettr' he cried. hoarse-
ly. "Your magic is no good" His teeth
showed through his grizzled muzzle like
the fangs of some wild animal.
Bennett, or Stark, as the others knew
him. hfnged about with his captor, try
ing to get at his enemy, and crying curses
on them ALL but he was like child in
Poleon's arms Gradually he weakened,
and suddenly resistance died out Of him.
/
ordered Gale.
Rut the old man did not hear. and
gathered himself as IL to resume the bat
tie with his bare hands, whereupon the
| soldier. finding himself shaking like
frightened child, and growing physically
| weak at what he saw, doubted his abil-
itv to prevent the encounter, and repeat
| ed his command.
"Come away" he shouted but the
words sounded foolishly flat and insane.
Then Stark spoke inteliigently for the
| first time.
! ARREST him! You've got to believe what
I told you now, Burrell." He poured
forth stream of unspeakable profanity,
emitten by the bitter knowledge of his
/ first and only defeat. you'll hang,
Gaylord! I'll see your neck stretch
| ed damn your hearts To
Poleon he painted, excitedly: 81 followed
] him for fifteen years, Doret. He killed
my wife"
pats damn ne!' said the French
man.
mo, It isn't. He's under indictment for
1t back in California. He shot her down
in cold blood, then ran off with my kid.
That's her he calls Necia. She's mine.
Amt 1 right. lieutenant"
At this final desperate effort to fix the
crime upon his rival, Burrell turned on
him with loathing
| tits no use, Stark. We heard you say
she killed herself. We were standing out
side the door, both Of us, and got it from
your own lips"
Until this moment the man had stood
on his own feet, but now he began to
sag, seeing which, Poleon supporting him
to bed, where he sank weakly, collapsing
| in every Joint and muscle.
! cts a job" he snarled. You put this
UP, you three, and came here to gang
me-" An unnatural shudder convulsed
him as his wounds bit at him, and then
he fared up viciously. "But I'll beat you
all. I've got the girl! I've got herr =
! 'NeciaW cried Burrell, suddenly re-
membering, for this ARRAY had driven all
else from his mind.
Stark crouched on the edge of his bunk
"a CHASTITY, gray, grinning thing. One
weapon still remained to him, and he
used 1t.
Eyes, I've got my daughter!'
| Where is she?" demanded the trader,
hoarsely. where's my girl?'
| The gambler chuckled; an agony seized
him till he hiccoughed and strangled;
then, as the spell passed, he laughed
again.
'she's got you in her head, like tho
mother had, but I'll drive it out; I'll treat
her like I did her"
Gale uttered a terrible cry and moved
upon him, but Burrell shouldered the
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