Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-26
AUTHOR OF THE SPOILERS"

/ self. one on each of the smaller creeks
where they came together above the
house.
But nobody ever stakes more than one
claim on a gulch," objected the girl. IT'S
custom OF the miners"
Then Wen call each one Of these
branches a different and separate creek"
he said. THE gold was carried down
one of those smaller streams, and we
won't take any chances on which one
IL was. When a fellow plays big game
he should play TO win, and, as this means
I such a great deal to you, we won't over
look any BETS"
Necia consented, and when her three
, claims had been properly located the
couple returned to the cabin to get lunch
and to await with some forboding the
coming Of the others and what of good or
/ III it might bring.
CHAPTER VTI---The Magic of Ben
Stark.
Before the party came in sight, the
sound OF their voices reached the cabin,
and Burrell arose nervously and saun-
tered to the door. Uncertain how this
affair might terminate, he chose to get
first look at HIS enemies, II they should
prove to be such. realizing the advantage
that goes to a man who stands square
~ on both feet.
The trail came through the brush at
the rear. and he heard Lee say:
This here's the place. boys-the shack
amt nifty yards away"
Likely looking gulch," Gale was
heard to reply, in his deep tones-there
was a crack Of a dead brush, a sound as
OF a man tripping and falling heavily,
then oaths in a voice that made the
lieutenant start.
'sHa, ha! laughed Doret You mus
be tired Meestaire R-r-unnion. Better
you pick up your feet OATS tree tam
you've"
They emerged into the open behind
the house to pause in a line back of
Lee. who was staring at the stove
pipe, from which came a wisp of smoke.
Il seemed to Burrell that they held their
position for a long time. Then he heard
Lee say:
''welI, I'll be damnedi Somebody's here
ahead Of u.s.
We've been beaten" growled Stark.
angrily. pushing past him and coming
round the corner, an ugly look in his
eyes.
BurreII was standing at ease in the
door, smoking, one forearm resting on
the lamb, his wide shoulders nearly fill
ing the entrance.
'GOod-afternoon," he nodded. pleasant
ly.
Lee answered him unintenigibly; Stark
said nothing. but kunnion's exclamation
was plain.
It's that damned Blue-belly"
When did you get here?' said Stark,
after a pause.
"A few hours ago"
How did you conner asked Lee.
BLACK Bear creek" said the soldier,
CURLY. at which Runnion broke into
profanity. ft -.
Better hush" Burren admonished him;
there's a lady inside" and at that in
slant Necia showed her laughing face
under his arm, while the trader uttered
her name in amazement.
Lunch Is ready" she said. We've
been expecting you for quite a while"
''Ba Carl OATS fonny ting for sure"
said Poleon. VIVA toll you bout dis
strike-eh7''
Mother; made her." the girl an
swered.
Take OF your packs and come in,"
Burrell invited, but Stark strobe forward.
Hold on a minute, this don't look good
to me. You say your mother told you.
I suppose you're old man Gales other
daughter-eh2'
Necia nodded.
what time OF day was 1t when you
learned about this?''
"Cut that out" roughly interjected
Gale. DO you think I double crossed
your"
The other turned upon him.
cit looks that way, and I intend to
find out. You said yesterday you hadn't
told anybody"
ct didn't think about the woman" said
the trader. a trlfie Disconnected. whereup-
on Runnion gave vent to an ironical
sneer.
But here's your girl and this man
ahead Of US. 1 suppose there's others on
the way. too"
Nonsense" Burrell. cut in. Don't
quarrel about this. Miss Gale got wind
Of your secret. and beat you at your own
game. so that ends IT. but there's plenty
of ground left for all of you, and no
harm done. Nobody knows of this strike
from us. 1 can assure you"
II call It dam sleek work" chuckIed
the Canadian, slipping out of his straps
de mex tam I go stampedin' TAX you
long. Necia."
me. too said Lee. IAN now I'm GO
in to tear into some of them beans 1
smell a bilin' in yonder"
The others followed, although Stark and
Runnion looked back and had little to
say. 1t was an uncomfortable meal
every one was in at ease; Gale in par
ticular, was quiet, and ate less than any
OF them. His eyes sought Stark's face
frequently, and once the blood left his
cheeks and his eyes blazed as he observed
the gambler eying Necia, gazing at her
with the same holiness he would have
used in scanning a horse.
You are a mighty good-looking girl for
blood " remarked Stark, at last.
Thank you,' she replied, simply, and
the soldiers vague dislike of the man
crystallized into hate on the instant.
There was a tone back of his words that
seemed aimed at the trader, Meade
thought. but Gale showed no sign of it,
so the meal was finished in silence, after
which the five belated prospectors went
out to make their locations, for the fear
of interruption was upon them now.
First they went down stream, and, &C
cording TO their agreement the trader
staked first, followed by Poleon and
Stark, thus throwing Runnion's claim
more than a mile distant from Lees dis
covery. From here they went up the
creek to find the girls other locations.
one on each branch. at which Stark sheer
ingly remarked that she had pre-empted
enough ground for a full-grown white
woman.
Runnion's displeasure was even more
open. and he fell into foul-mouthed NUT
terings addressing himself to Poleon and