Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-04-25

IOrc, put there IS. NO. I've BOI to uO this thing alone tonight, all of 1t, for you have no place in it, and can't let the little girl go on like this. The sooner that soldier knows the better" He leaned down and touched her brown mouth with bis grizzled lips. Thank you, Alluna, for making man of me when I'd nearly forgotten. Now, you stay here" He knew he could count on her obedience, and so he left her. When he had gone she drew the shawl up over her face and crouched in the doorway, straining her eyes aft CT him through the dark. In time she began to rock and sway and then to chant until the night moaned with the death song of her people.
 Necia had no idea whither she went Her only thought was to flee from her kin, who could not understand: to hide under cover inssome solitary place; to let the darkness swallow her up, so that she might give way to her grief and be just poor weak woman. On she stumbled blindly through the murk like some fair creature of light cast out and ban,shed
 She had not succeeded in thoroughly isolating herself. however, for man who was steering his course by the sense of feel and the winds direction heard her and paused. His steps were muffied in the soft footing, so that she had no warning of his presence until he was near enough to distln- guish her dimly where she leaned against the log wall of half complet- ed cabin.
 To his question, "What's the trouble heSe?' she made no answer. but moved away, whereupon he detained her. '"There's something wrong. Who are you anyhowW
 Its only Necia, MT. Stark" said the girl, at which he advanced and took her by the arm.
 What ais you, child? What in the world are you doing here? Come! It's only a step to my cabin. You must come In and rest awhile, and you'll soon be all right. Why, you'll break your neck in this darkness"
 She hung back, but he compelled her to go with him in spite of her unwill- ingness.
 "Now, now" he admonished, with unusual kindliness for him; you know you're my little friend, and can't let you go on this way. It's scan- dalous. l won't stand for it. I like you too much"
 He led her inside his cabin and closed the door In the face of the night wind before he struck light.
 'I can't stand 10 see you cry" he re- pcated as he adjusted the wick. Now, as soon as''- He stopped in astonish- 1 ment, for he had turned to behold in stead of the little half breed girl this slender, sorrowful stranger in her amazingly wonderful raiment.
 By He checked himself insensi- ply and stood motionless for long time.
 'I-I-hope you'll excuse me for act ing this way" she smiled Ut him pite- ously; then, observing his strange fea- lures: "Why, what is the matter, Mir. Stark? Are you angryr
 His hawklike face was strained and colorless, his black eyes fierce and eager, his body bent as if to bounce upon victim. In truth, he was now the predatory animal.
 "No," he replied as if her question carried no meaning; then, coming to himself. No, no; of course not. But you gave me start. You reminded me of some one. How do you come to be dressed like that2 1 never knew you had such clothes"
 "Poleon brought them from Dawson. They are the first I ever had"
 He shook his head in slow, puzzled fashion.
 You look just like a white grill mean---I don't know what mean" This time he reused himself fully, the effort being more like shudder.
 'So have always thought" she said, ard her eyes filled again.
 He showed forward big chair with | a wolfskin flung over it, into which she sank dejectcdly, while he stepped to the shelves beside the Yukon stove and took down a bottle and some glasses.
 "Pm not fixed up very well yet" he apologized. I've been too busy at the saloon to waste time on living guar. ters. But it's comfortable enough for an old roadster like me-"
 He was talking to give her leeway and when he had concocted a weak toddy insisted that she must drink 1t, which she did listlcssly, while he ram )led on:
 Eve noticed a few things In my life, Miss Necia, and one of them is that 1t often does heap of good to let out and talk things oyer-not that q fellow gains any real advantage from disseminating his troubles, but il serves to sort of ease his mind. Folks l A,0
 MsS'eN Al2s1,