The Holly chieftain., 1909-04-23

nion addressed the other con-
ors loudly:
lai, boys. there nre three good
. open for relocation. I'm sorry
II stake one of then"
rsey won't lie open long" said one
. undesirable citizens, starting To
downstream, while his two COM
ms made for the opposite dlrec-
But Burrell stopped them.
10 lats. boys. Your little game
wrong. Now. now, don't get ex-
II Whew, l had quite rum
- paused In his tracks and looked
- young man queerly.
Vhat do you meanT'
~ jumped those claims myself"
lou Jumped them!' cried Necia.
gurei changed my mind about
king."
slts iis!" cried Runnion. at which
nen whirled on him.
i've been waiting for this, Runnion.
e since you came back. Now
i mean you haven't had time" the
lsr temporiEed hurriedly-
oh, that sounds better. II you
n,t believe me take look for your
Il. You'll find my notice just be
ath Miss Gales" Then to No
veks' Lee he continued. Kindly re-
"a them for me 20 there will be no
,sstion Of priority"
sTT Be- Id II do" said the
aligerent recorder. You're worse'n
ssse crooks. That ground belongs to
lecta Gale"
Up to this time Stark had remained
llent, his impassive face betrnyins not
shadow of chagrin. for he was Il
pod loser. but now be spoke at large.
Anybody who thinks the American
army IL asleep is crazy" Then to Bur
m, "You certainly are nice young
nau to double cross your friends like
that."
.You're NO friend Of mine." Meade
sstpetsd
sIf What do you meanf'
n double crossed yon,. Stark; nobody
~. There's no use mouthing words
lbout It." said he. These thugs are
your tools. and yon tried to steal that
ground because It's sure to be rich"
0tark exclaimed angrily. but the 9th
z eave him no time to break in.
s.Now, don't get rough, because that
b my game, and I'd be pleased enough
b take you back prisoner" Then,
turning to Lee. he said: Don't mike
ms force you to record my locations.
I 0taked those claims for Miss Gale,
anA I'll deed them to her when she
turns eighteen"
Poleon Doret called to Runnion:
'slG'sieu. you member wat l toll you
yestidday? I'm begin for t'ink it's 60
m be you"
Seeing that the game had gone
against him. Stark got his feelings un-
der control quickly and shrugged his
shoulders as be turned away,
'sYou're In the wrong, lieutenant" he
unmarked, but l don't want any trou-
BILE. You've got the law with YOU"
Then to Runnion and the others he
said. "Well, I'm ready to hit the rail"
When they had shouldered their
packs and disappeared down the val
ley Gale held out his hand to the sol
dier. Young man, ! reckon you and
! VIII be friends"
Thank yon," said BurreIl. taking the
efbsf Of friendship. which he knew was
gsnuine at last.
"I'm In on that" said mo Creek"
Lea You're all right" 49,
Poleon had been watching Stark's
party disappear. but now he turned
and addressed the young soldier.
"You max some enemies today,
n'sieu."
'sThat's right" agreed Lee. Ben
Stark will never let up on you now
.very well. That is his privilege"
"You don't savvy what 1t means ia
get him down on you" insisted Lee
sHe'll frame things up to suit himself,
then pick row with you. He's the
quickest man on a trigger in the west
but he won't never make no open play,
only just devil the life out Of you with
little things till you fare up: then he'll
down you. That's how he killed the
gold commissioner back In British Co
lumbia."
Necia had said little 80 far. but the
look In her eyes repaid the soldier for
his undertaking in her behalf and for
any mischief that might ensuc from It,
She came forward and laid her hands
upon his.
"Don't worry. daughter" reassured
Gale. "There's nothing Stark can do.
and whatever happens we're with the
lieutenant. He's our kind Of people"
Burrell liked this grizzled old fellow
with the watchful eyes and was glad
now that he could grii, bis hand and