The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-05-16

For the first time in his tempestuous
life Ben Stark lost the iron composure
that had made his name a byword il
the west, and at sight of his bitteres
enemy seated in the dark of his OWL
house waiting for him he became al
ordinary, nervous, frightened man. II
was the utter unexpectedness of the
thing that shook him, and before ht
could regain his balance Gale spoke:
1--WE come to settle, Bennett
What are you doing here?" The
gambler Stammered.
II was up at the soldiers place JUS
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," Blu
still the other made no move. you've
had all the best of it for twenty
years." Gale went ON in his leve
voice, ''but tonight 1 get even. Eve
lived for thisr'
THAT shot in Lees cabin?" recalled
Stark, with the light of new under
standing. "You knew me then?
yes"
Stark took deep breath. what &
ID fool I've beenv'
"Your devils magic saved you that
time, but it won't stop this" The
trader rose slowly, with the knife in
his hand.
You'll hang for this!' said the gam
bier unsteadily, at which Gales face
blnzed.
"Ha.' exclaimed the trader exulting
ly. You can feel it in you already
eh?"
With an effort Stark began to assem-
BILE his wits as the trader continued:
"You saddled your dirty work on me
Ben Stark, and I've carried it for fif
teen years, but tonight 1 put you out
the way you put her cut. An eye fol-
an eyer
II didn't kill her. said the man.
$50? The yellow is showing up al
last. l knew you were coward, but
didn't think you'd be afraid to own il
to yourself"
"Look here" said Stark curiously
do you really think killed Merridy? 2
81 know it. A man who would strike
a 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
for you, didn't it?'' he chuckled. 81
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 a long pause
"Why?"
"Say, it's kind of funny our stand
ing here talking about that thing, ISM
It? Well. if you want to know, l came
home early that night. l guess yo1
hadn't been gone two hours. And tht
surprise did it more than anything
else, l suppose. She hadn't prepared
story. l got suspicious, named yor
at random and hit the nail on the
head
Gales face was like chalk, and his
voice sounded thin and dry as he said
"You beat her; that's why she die
IT,
Stark made no answer.
1.-THE papers said the room showed
q struggle"
When the other sttI kept quiet Galt
insisted:
Didn't your
At this Stark famed up defnantly.
"Well, | guess | had cause enough
No woman except her was ever untrue
to me-wife or sweetheart"
"You didn't really think
"Think HI. l thought so then: an(
I think so now She denied it, but
"And you knew her so well too.
guess you've had some bad night.
yourself, Bennett, with that always OIL
your mind
II swore I'd have
| -"and so you put her blood on my
head and made me an outlaw" Aftel
an instant. "Why did you tell me this
anyhow"
Its our last talk, and wanted yo,
/ to know how we'll my hate worked"
"Well, 1 guess that's all" said Gale
So far they had watched each othel
with unwavering, unblinking eyes
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