The evening world., 1909-02-19
CHAPTER XVI
(Continued.)
John Gales Hour.

At this final desperate effort to fix the
crime upon his rival, Burrell turned on
him with loathng.
IT'S no use, Stark. We heard you
say she killed herself. We were stand.
ing outside the door, both OF us, and got
II from your own lips"
Until this moment the man had stood
on his own feet, but now he began to
sag. seeing which, Poleon supported
him to the bed. where he sank weakly,
collapsing in every Joint and muscle.
IT'S job" he snarled. You put this
up you three. and came here to gang
me-" An unnatural shudder convulsed
him as his wounds bit at him, and then
he Jared up vicIously, But III beat
you ALL I've got the girl! I've got her"
"Necia,' cried Burrell, suddenly re.
membering, for this ARRAY had driven
all else from his mind.
Stark crouched OH the edge OF his bunk
"a CHASTITY gray. grinning thing! One
weapon still remained to him and he
used II.
Yes. rye got my daughter"
where issshe?" demanded the trader
hoarsely. where's my girl?"
The gambler chuckled; an agony
seized him till he hiccoughed and
strangled; then, as the spell passed, he
laughed again.
She's got you In her head like the
mother had, but III drive 1t out; III
treat her like I did her.
Gale uttered a terrible CRY and moved
upon him. but Burrsll shouldered the
trader aside. himself possessed by
cold fury that Intensified his strength
tentold.
Stop II Gale. Let me attend to this
I'll make him tell'
"Oh, will you?" mokced the girrs
father.
Where Is she?"
None Of your damned business"
Again he was seized with q paro1ysm
that left him shlverlng and his lips col
orless. The blankets were soaked and
soggy with blood. ana his feet rested in
= red pool
Ben Stark" said the tortured lover,
you're a sick man, and you'll be gone
In half an hour at this rate. Won't you
do one decent thing before you d!e7"
bah! I'm all right"
'Ill get you doctor II you'll tell US
where she Is, II you don't-Ill-let you
die. For Gods sake, man. speak up"
The wounded man strove to rise, but
could not, then considered for a moment
before he said:
II sent her away"
'Where?'
up river, on that freighter that left
last night. She'll go out by Skagway.
and I'll Join her later where can have
her to myself. She's forty miles up
river now, and getting farther every
mnute-oh, you can't catch her'
The three men stared at one another
blankly.
why did she go?" said Gale, duly
Because told her who she was, and
who you are; because she thinks you
killed her mother; because she was glad
to get away" Now that he was grown
too weak to inf,!ct violent pain, the man
lied mallciously, gloating over what he
saw in the traders face,
Never mind old man. I'll bring her
back" said Burrell and laid comfort.
Ing hand on Gales shoulder, for the fact
that she was safe, the fact OF knowing
something relieved him immensely: but
starks next words plunged him into ev-
en- blacker horror than the trader felt.
You won't want her II you catch her.
Runnon will see 10 that"
"Runnion,"
Yes, I sent him with her"
The lover cried out in anguish and hid
his face In his hands,
Hes wanted her for long time, 50
l told him 10 go ahead
None Of them noticed Polson Dorst,
who, upon this unnatural confession.
alone seemed to retain sufficient control
to doubt and 10 reason. He was think.
Ing hard. Strengthening out certain
facts, and trying TO square this horrible
statement with things he had seen and
heard tonight. All OF q sudden ne Ut
tered great cry, and boltsd out into
the darkness unheeded by Gale and
Burrell. who stood dAzed and distraught
With . fear greater than that which