The evening world., 1909-02-23

Chemically, he said to Gale:
i cant walt much longer and sank
YEARLY into seat. Almost the next
instant he was on his feet again, saying
to the trader, as he had said It score
OF times already; "Runnion comes to
me, Gale; You understand he's NINE
don't you?'
The old man nodded "Yesl You can
take him."
Look Over the point Down yon-
der! saw smoken'
The three started at the distant for
est fringe that masked the bend Of the
river until their eyes ached. and the
distinctly.
It's the Mission boat
"Well. what of that" said Burrell.
"We'l hire it-buy it--take it,
ITS no use; she Amt got but three
dog-power to her engines Lee ex-
planned, She's a down-river boat-has
TO run with the current to move"
The arrival OF the tiny Mission steam.
er was never Of sufficient importance
to draw crowd to the river bank. so
the impatient men at the post relaxed
Interest In her as she came creeping up
abreast of the town. II was little
Johnny Gale who first saw Necia and
roleon on board. for he had recognized
Father Barnum's craft at a distance
and stationed himself at the bank hand
!n-hand with Molly to bid the good, kind
old man welcome.
The men inside the house did not
hear the boy crying Necla's name, for
his voice was small. and they had gone
to the rear Of the store.
Understand, You leave Runnon ia
me-" Buryell was saying. NO man
shall lay hands on him except me-
HIS voice traled away; he rose slowly
to his feet, strange light on his face.
The others turned to see what sight
had drawn his eyes, In the opening,
al splendid with the golden sunlight,
stood Necla and Poleon Doret, who
had her by the hand-and she was smil.
ing,
Gae uttered a great cry and went to
meet them, but the soldier could move
nothing save his lips. and stood dazed
and d!sbelieving. He saw them dimly
coming toward him. and heard Poleon's
voice as II at great distance, saw that
the Frenchman's eyes were upon him,
and that his words were directed to him.
Il bring her back to you, NJ sieul
lover, and Burrell saw her smiling
shyly up at him. Something gripped
bin choklngly. and he could utter nc
sound. There was nothing to say-she
was here, safe, smiling, that was all
And the girl, beholding the glory in his
eyes, understood.
Gale caught her away from him then
and buried her In his arms.
A woman came running into the store
and, seeing the group, paused at the
door-a shapeless, silent, shawled figure
In silhouette against the day. The trader
brought the girl 10 her foster mother
who began 10 talk In her own tongue
with a rapdity none Of them had ever
heard before, her voice as tender az
some wild birds song: then the two
women went away together around the
Nicola all the amazing story that had
come TO him that direful night, all that
he had overheard, all that he knew, and
much that he guessed,
The priest came into the store shortly
and the men fell upon him for infor.
nation, for nothing was TO he gained
from Poleon, who seemed strangely
tagged and weary, and who had said
but little.
Yes, yes, yes" laughed Father Bar.
mum ri tell you all | know, OF
/ course, but first must meet Lieutenant
Burrell and take him by the hand
The story did not lose In his telling
particularly when he came to describe
the fight on the gravel bar which ne
told him little; but the good priest wa!
Of a militant turn, and his blue eyes gilt
tered and flashed like an old crusaders
1T was wondrous combat" he de
clared, with all the spirit OF spectator
for PoleOn advanced barehanded ant
heat him down even as the man free
into his face. II is due to the goodness
and mercy Of God that he was spared ;
single wound from this desperado-t
miracle vOuChSafed because OF his clear
/ heart and his righteous cause"
But where is Runnion?" broke II
| Burrell.
J II must go now to this Stark" SAT-
the Father; he may need me. But frs
shall talk with Necla. Poor child. sh
is in a difficult position, standing be
tween the love of John Gale and tn
loyalty she owes her father. II fear
cannot counsel her as well as | ought
for | am very weak and human. 70,
had better come with me: perhaps tn
plea Of lover may have more weigh
thnn the voice OF reason
Together he and Burrell went into tn
b traders house.
Back In the store there was silence
after the priest and the soldier wen