Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-04-14

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 good to me. You say your mother told
 you. suppose you're Old Man Gales
 other daughter. ehT' l Eecia nodded.
 What time of day was 1t when you
 learned about this?"
 Gut that out!r roughly interjected Gale. Do you think I double crossed your
 The ofher turned upon him.
 Tt looks that way. and I intend to
 find out. You said yesterday you
 hadn't told anybody" 'T didn't think about the woman . said the trader. trifie disconcerted.
 whereupon Runnion, gave vent to an ironical sheer.
 "But here's your girl and this man ahead cf:Yus.s suppose there's Others on the way too"
 "Nonsenser' Burrell cut in. "I call it sleeck work" chuckled the Canadian, slipping out of his straps. "De nex' tam go stampedin' talk you Tong. Necia."
 Me, too," said Lee. And now I'm goin' to tear into some of them beans smell a-bilin' in yonder." The others followed. although Stark and Runnion looked black and had lit- tie to say. It was an uncomfortable meal. Every one was i'll at ease. Gale in particular 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 boldly eJing Necia.
 You are mighty good looking girl for 'blocd,'" remarked Stark at last
 Thank you" she replied simply, and the scldier's dislike of the man crystal lized into hate on the instant. There was tone back of his words that seemed aimed at the trader, Meade thought, but Gale showed no sign of 1t, so the meal was finished in silence. after which the five belated prospect CTS went out to make their locations, for the fear of interruption was upon themgnow.
 First they went downstream, and, according to their agreement, the trad CT staked first. followed by Poleon and Stark, thus throwing Runnion's claim more than a mile distant from Lees discovery. From here they went up the creek to find the girls other loca- tions. one on each branch, at which Stark sneeringly 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 mutterings, addressing himself to Po- leon and Stark while the trader was out of earshot
 "This affair don't smell right, and I still think it's frame-up."
 "Bah" exclaimed Doret
 "The old man sent the girl on ahead of us to blanket all the good ground. That's what he did,.'
 Walt van minnit." interrupted Po- leon, his voice as soft as woman's. q tol' you dat l know all bout dis Black Bear creek too. You member. eh? Waal. mebbe you link rm traitor too? Wat? Wy don you spik out?'
 The three of them were alone. and only the sound of Gales ax came to them, but at the light il the Cana dian's face Runnion hastily disclaimed any such thought on his part, and Stark shrugged his denial.
 There are men quite devoid of the ability to read the human face, and Runnion was of this species. More over, malice was so bitter in his mouth that he must have 1t out. So when they paused to blaze the next stake he addressed himself to Stark loud enough for Poleon to hear.
 "That lieutenant is more of a man than I thought he was
 How sol" inquired the older man.
 "Well, 1t takes nerve to steal a girl for one night and then face the fa- ther, but the old man don't seem to mind it any more than she does. l guess he knows what 1t means, all right"
 Stark laughed raucousfy.
 That's probably how Gale got his squaw," concluded Runnion, with a Sneer
 It seemed full minute before the Frenchman gave sign that he haA heard; then Q strange cry broke from his throat, and he began to tremble as if with cold He was no longer the singer of songs or the man who was forever a boy. The mocking anger of q moment ago was gone. In its place was consuming fury that sucked the blood from beneath his tan, leaving him the pa,lor of ashes, while his mouth twitched and his head rolled slightly from side 10 side like palsied old r.an's. But evidently Po,eon meant no violence. for he allowed the passion to rim from him freely until 1t had spent its vlgor. then said to Runnion:
 Somebody goin' die for wat you say jus HOW. Mebbe it's goin' be you, m'sieu; mebbe It's goin' to be him. I can't tell yet, but I'm hope an pray it's goin' be you, biccause I t'ink wat .F