Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-15

saloon, en-
saloon and variety house-seven bar
tenders, that's all. He's the Teller that
killed the gold commissioner OF course,
that put him on the hike again"
well, he had a record as long as
sick mans drug bill before he went into
that country, and when he put the com.
missioner away them Canadian officials
went after him like they was KILN
snakes and IL cost him all he had made
to get clear. II Il had happened across
the line, the coroner's jury would have
freed him, cause the commissioner was
drunk and started the row; but it hap
pened right in Starks saloon, and you
know Canucks is stronger than vitriol
for law and order. Not bein' his first Of
fence, IL went hard with him."
He looks like q killer" said Bur
rel.
Yes, but he amt the common kind.
He always lets the other man begin,
and therefore he amt never done time"
Come, now" argued the lieutenant, IF
it were the other man who invariably
shot first, Stark would have been killed
long ago"
IT don't care what would have hap
pened, 1t amt happened. and he's got
notches on his gun till 1t looks like a
cub bear had chawed II. If you was a
about him. The bullet amt been run to
kill him. That's the sayin'. You needn't
grin, there's many a better man than
you believes It,"
who is II that the bullet hasn't been
run TO kim" said the traders deep voice
behind them. He had finished with his
duties, and now sauntered forward.
Ben Stark" said Lee. turning. you
know him, John?''
NO. never saw him, but I know
who he is-used to hear of him in the
Occur dAlenes."
That's him I was talking to-" said
the miner. Hes an old friend Of mine,
and he's going to locate here"
Burrell thought he saw Lee wink at
the trader, but he was not sure, for
at that moment the man of whom they
were speaking re-entered. Lee introduced
him, and the three men shook hands.
While the soldier fell into easy CONVEX
sation with the newcomer, Gale gazed
at him narrowly, studying him as he
studied all men who came as strangers.
AS he was doing so Alluna entered, fol-
lowed by Johnny and Molly. She had
come for sugar, and asked for 1t in her
native tongue. Upon her exit Stark broke
off talking to the lieutenant and turned
TO the trader.
your squaw, Mr.. Caller"
The old man nodded.
"Pah-Ute, eh?"
Yes. Why, do you savvy the talkP'
Some. 1 lived in California once"
''Where?" The question came like a
shot.
"oh, here and there; I followed the
Mother Lode for a spell"
Il don't recall the name" said the
trader, after a Bit
Possibly. Where were you located?"
1T never lit on any one place long
enough TO call it home"
It seemed to Burrell that both men
were sparring cautiously in an indirect.
impersonal manner.
Those your kids, too, eh?" Stark con-
tinued.
Eyes. and I got another one besides
older. A girl"
shes a pip too" said mo Creek"
Lee. fervently, "She's plumb beauti-
full"
can of them half-breeds? questioned
Stark.
Sure" The traders answer was short.
and when the other showed no intention
Of pressing the subject further he saunt-
cred away; but no sooner was he out OF
hearing than Stark said: 'Humph!
They're all alike"
"Who?'
"SQuaw-men."
This one amt" Lee declared. "He's
different; amt he, lieutenant?"
He certainly is" agreed Burrell. This
was the first criticism he had heard OF
Necia's father, and although Stark vol
unteered no argument, 1t was plain that
his opinion remained unaffected.
The old man went through the store at
the rear and straightway sought Alluna,
G. k~l
In the Pah-Ute language, he said:
ST have told you never to use your ma
tive tongue before strangers. That man
in the store understands
''I only asked for sugar to cook the
berries with" she replied.
True, but another time you might say
more, therefore the less you speak II
the better. He is the kind who sees much
and talks little. Address me in Siwash
or in English unless we are alone"
81 do not like that man." said the wo-
man. His eyes are bad, like a fish
eagles, and he has no heart"
Suddenly she dropped her work and
came close up to him. "Can he be the
one?"
''I don't know. Stark is NOT the name,
but he might have changed It; he had
reasons enough"
who is this man StarkT'
"I don't know that, either. I used to
hear of him when 1 was in British Co
lumbia.'r
But surely you must know If he is
the same-she must have told you how
he looked-others must have told you
Gale shook his head. Very little. I
could not ask her, and others knew him
so we'll they never doubted that I had
seen him; but this much I do know, he
was dark"
This man is dark"
land his spirit was like that OF mad
horse
This mans temper Is black"
and his eyes were cruel.
This man has evil eyes"
He lacked FIVE years Of my age" said
the trader
This man is forty years old. 1t must
be he,' said the squaw.
Even Nicola would have marveled had
she heard this revelation Of her fathers
age, for his hair and brows were griz-
zled. and his face had the look Of a mar
OF sixty. while only those who knew him
we'll, like Doret, were aware OF his great
strength and the endurance that belied