Manchester Democrat., 1909-04-14

into that country, aud when he put the
commissioner away them Canadian Of
fcials went after him like they was
KILN snakes, and it cost him all he
had made to get clear. If 1t had hap
pened across the line the coroner's
jury would have freed him, cause the
commissioner was drunk and started
the row. But it happened right in
Stark's saloon, and you know Canucks
is stronger than vitriol for law and or
der. Not bein' his first offense, 1t went
hard with him."
"He looks like killer" said Burrell.
"Yes, but he amt the common kind.
He always lets the other man begin,
and therefore he amt ever done time"
Come. now." argued the lieutenant,
'if it were The other man who invaria-
bly, shot first, Stark would have been
killed long ago."
81 don't care what would have hap-
pened, it amt happened. and he's got
notches on his gun till 1t looks like
cub bear had chawed it. If you was
western man you'd know what they
say about him. The bullet amt been
run to kill him. That's the sayin'.
You needn't grin. There's many a bet
ter man than you believes it,
"Who is it that the bullet hasn't
been run to kill?" said the traders
deep voice behind them. He had fin
| ished with his duties and now saunter-
cd forward.
"Ben Stark said Lee, turning.
"You know him, John:"
mo; l never saw him. but l know
who he is; used to hear of him in the
Occur d'Alenes."
"Thats him l was talking to-" said
the miner. "He's an old friend Of
mine, and he's going to locate here"
Burrell thought he saw Lee wink at
the trader, but he was not sure, for at
that moment the man of whom they
were speaking re-entered. Lee intro
duced him, and the three men shook
hands. While the soldier fell into easy
conversation with the newcomer, Gale
gaZed at him narrowly, studying him
as he studied all men who came as
strangers. AS he was doing so Alluna
entered, followed by Johnny and Mol
ly. She had come for sugar and asked
for it in her native tongue. Upon her
exit Stark broke off talking to the
lieutenant and turned to the trader
"Your sQuaw, Mr.. Gale:"
The old man nodded.
"Pah-Ute, eh:'
"Yes. Why, do you savvy the talk!'
"Some. 1 lived in California once"
Where" The question came like Q
shot.
"Oh, here and there! l followed the
mother lode for a SPELL"
II don't recall the name,' said the
trader after bit.
Possibly. Where were you located?' p
enough to call 1t home"
1t seemed to Burrell that both men
were sparring cautiously in an indi
rect, impersonal manner.
"Those your kids, too. eh:' starl
continued
eyes, and got another one besides
older, a girl"
"She's Il pip, too,' said mo Creek
Lee fervertly. shes plumb beauti
full"
"lAll of them half breedsw ques
toned Stark.
Sure" The traders answer was
short, and when the other showed nc
intention of pressing the subject fur
ther he sauntered away, but no sooner
was he out of hearing than Stark said
"Humph. They're all alike"
, "Who!"
! "Squaw men,"
. This one amt" Lee declared. Hes
J different. Amt he, lieutenant?"
HE certainly is agreed Burrell
This was the first criticism he ha(
heard of Necia's father, and, although
Stark volunteered no argument, it was
plain that his opinion remained unaf
fectcd.
The cid man went through the store
J ut the rear and straightway sought AL
luna. Speaking to her with unwontet
severity in the Pah-Ute language, hi
said:
II have told you never to use you
native tongue before strangers. Tha
! | man in the store understands"
, II only asked for sugar to cook tn
} berries With" she replied.
| "True, bit another time you nigh
i say more; therefore the less you spea
it the better. He is the kind who see
y much and talks little. Address me Il
tiwash or In English unless we ar
e clone"
suddenly she dropped her work an,
came close up to him. Can he be til
b onef"
+ IL don't know. Stark is not th
e name, but he might have changed i
s He had reasons enough"
"Who is this man Stark!"
II don't know that either. l use
l., to hear of him when was in BIRTHS
n Columbia"
"But surely you must know if he
>, the same. She must have told you no,
y he looked. Others must have tol
YOU
4 Gale shook his head. Very little.
. could not ask her, and others kne,
y him SO well they never doubted that
r had seen him, but this much l d
! know, he was dark
q "This man is dark"
: -"and his spirit was like that of
Il mad horse
. "This mans temper is black"
# -''and his eyes were cruel"
Il "This man has evil eyes"
T. "He lacked five years of my age,
10 said the trader
'This man is forty years old
d must be he" said the squaw.
" Even Necin would have marvele
If had she heard this revelation of he
. fathers 80, for his hair and brow
~ We're grizzled, and his face had til
= look of Il man of sixty, while onl
those who knew him well, like Dore
were aware of his great strength an
- the endurance that belied his appea
ance.
!. "We will send Necia down to til
mission tonight and let Father Ba
Il I,nr Al 4, Ill,