Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-07-09

Stark Qlu not TctuTu W Ills Sdpih' ouI
went back instead to his saloon, where
he saw POlpon Doret still sprawlinS
with elbows on the table, his hat pulled
low above his sullen face. Stark then
went out and down toward the bar
racks. A light behind the drawn cur
tairs of the officers house told that
Burre!l was not abed, but he waited Il
long moment after his summons before
the door was opened, during which he
heard the occupant moving about and
another door close in the rear. When
he was allowed entrance at last he
found the young man alone in smoke
filed room. with a bottle and two
empty glasses on the table.
For at the sound of his voice Gale
had whispered to Burrell. Keep him
outw and the lieutenant had decided
to refuse his late visitor adnittancc
when he lighted on the eXpedient Of
concealing the trader in the bedroom
at the rear. 1t was only natural, he
reasoned that Gale should dislike to
face man like Stark before he had
regained his composure.
go in there and wait till see what
he wants." lie had said, and. shutting
the old man in, he had gone forth to
admit Stark. Star! entered and closed
the door.
'I'vc got some work for you. lieuten-
ant. It's got to be done tonight. right
now! You represent the law, or at
least you've taken every occasion to so
declare yourself, SO now I've come to
you with something big. It's serious
affair, and. being as I'm peaceful
man, want to go ~ the law" His
eyes Knocked the words he uttered.
You seem to carry the weight Of this
whole community Oh your shoulders,
so I'm here to give you some informa-
ton"
Burrell said quietly: ITS little late
for polite conversation. Come to the
point"
1--WE got murderer for you"
you've had a killing In your place,
eh?"
"No: I've just made discovery. |
found it all out by accident, too-pure
accident. by heaven, you can't tell
ME there isn't beneficent Providence
overlooking our affairs. He's a friend
of yours and Il highly respected party.
He's a glorious example to this whole
river. He's cyerybody's friend. He's
the shining mark Of this whole coun-
try. He's the benevolent renegade.
Squaw Man Gale. Gaylord is his name,
and was IL fool not to know it
sooner"
The disclosure had not affected the
soldier as Stark expected, and his an
ger began to lift itself.
"The mans a murderer. He's want
cd in California, where came from.
He's been indicted. and there's price
on his head. Hes hidden for fifteen
years, but he'll hang as sure as | stand
here"
Burreil knew he must gain time for
thought One false step might ruin
all He could not face this on the
spur of the moment; so, Struggling his
shoulders with an air of polite Skep-
ticism. he assumed Il tone of good ma
tured raillery,
"Fiftecn years? Murder? John Gale
a murderer? Why. that's almost
pardon NE if smle-I'm getting
sleepy. What proof have you?'
proof" blaZed the gambler. Proof!
Ask Gaylord. Proof. Why. the wo-
man he murdered was my wifc!'
1t was Burrelrs turn now to fall in
coherent. and rot only did bis speech
forsake him. but his thoughts went
madly veering off into a wilderness
where there was no trail. no light. no
hope What frightfu bones were
these lie barred? This man was Ben
nett. This was Necia's father! He
raised Il pair Of eyes that had become
furious ard blOodShot and suddenly
realized that the man before him, who
persisted in saddling upon Gale this
heinous crime. was the slayer of Ne
cia's mother, for he did not doubt
Gales story for an instant. He found
his fingers writhing to feel the crea-
lures throat
"Proof" Stark was growing. "How
much proof do you need? I've fol-
lowed him for fifteen years. I've
tracked him with men and dogs
through woods and deserts and mining
camps. I've slept on his trail for
5000 miles, and now do you think I'm
mistaken? He killed my wife, I say,
and robbed me of my little girl! That's
her in his house. That's her he calls
Necia. She's my girl-my girl, do you
understands and I'll have his life"
Burrci had no inkling yet Of the
fathers well shaped plans nor how
farreaching they were and could bare.
~ stammer:
$50! You-yOu know"
eyes! She wears the evidence
around her netS:, and if that isn't
enough l can furnish more-evidence
enough to smother you My name
isn't Stark at all. l changed it years
ago for certain reasons. I've Oh 1ged
it more than once, but that's my priv
ilege and my own affair. Her name is
Merridy Bennett"
II don't suppose you know I'm 60
ing to marry herr" said the Kentuck-
ian irrelevantly.
mo" replied the other; 81 wasn't
aware of the fact"
"Well, l am. I'll be your son-in-
law"
There's a lot of things, Burrell, for
you and me to settle up first. For one
thing. / want those mines of hers.
oh