Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-28
" 6 By
AS%A REX BEACHA
~
I.c1YRS,rlaoasYnAR HARPER q eRorERsr

BEACH \
FYRi6NriaoaM HARPER q BROTHERS
CHAPTER XIII.

AAl CHAPTER XIII.
STARK TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME.
NEE old man greeted the lieuten-
ant affably, but as. his glance
fell on his daughter he stopped
stock still on the threshold.
VI told you never to wear that dress
again. he said in dry, harsh voice.
The girl made no answer, for her
heart was breaking, but turned and
went into her. room. Burrell had an
Irresistible desire to tell Gale that he
wanted his daughter for his wife. 1t
would be an unwonted pleasure to
startle this iron gray old man and the
shawled and shambling mummy OF
red, with the unwinking eyes that al
ways reminded him Of two oxheart
cherries, but he had given Necia his
promise. So he descended to the ex-
change Of ordinary topics and inquired
for the news of the creek.
/, ''Necia's ground is getting better ev-
cry hour" the trader said. Yesterday
they found sixty dollar pam"
"Have you struck pay on yours2'
"No; Poleon and seem to hold bad
hands. Some Of his laymen are quit
ting work. They've cross cut in halt
dozen places and can't find color"
Gale went to Necia's door and called
her, but when she appeared he was un-
prepared for the tragic face with which
she greeted him.
Daughter" he said, "don't feel bad
over what said. I didn't mean to be
cross with you, butt don't like that
Dress"
"Were you Cross with me, daddy?'
she said duly. II didn't hear. What
did you sayw
He looked at her in amazement. me.
cia, little girl, what is the trouble?"
She was staring past him, and hel
fingers were fumbling helplessly with
the lace Of her gown, but she began to
show signs of collapse.
II sent him away-I-gave him up
when he wanted me-wanted me- Oh
daddy, he wants to marry me-and ]
sent him awayr'
HE asked you to marry him in-in-
In spite Of who you are and what
ana"
Eyes; he is ready to give up his am.
bition, his army, his future, his family,
everything, for me-to sacrifice It all
and SO, of course. couldn't let him.
She spoke simply, as If her father
would surely understand and approve
her action, while In her voice was q
note of inevitable resignation. "You
see, never understood what my blood
would mean to him until tonight. I've
been selfish and thoughtless, 1 guess. ]
I just wanted him, and wanted him t.
take me, but now that he Ifs mine. ]
love him more than thought. He is
so dear to me that I can't drag him
DOWN. can't-I can't!" She went to
the open door and stood leaning
against the casing, facing the cool out.
er darkness, her face hidden from
them, her form sagging YEARLY, as ii
tue struggle had sapped her whole
strength.
Alluna crept to the trader and look.
ed up at him eagerly, whispering:
This will end in little while, John
She is young. She can go back to the
mission tomorrow. She will soon for
get"
Forget! Do you think she can for.
get?"
.Any woman can forget. Only men
remember"
SIT is the red blood in you-lying.
You know you lie"
'.It Is to save your life," she said.
81 know, but it's no use" To Necia
he said, "You needn't worry, little
daughter" But her ears were deaf.
"You needn't give him up, say. This
will end all right
Seeing that she gave no sign Of heed
ing, he stepped closer and swung her
about till she faced him.
"Can't you trust me this one time?
You always have before. Necia. say
he'll marry you, and it will come out
right"
She raised her hopeless eyes and
strove gamely to meet him, then, fail
ing, broke away and turned back to
the door. II knew you couldn't under
stand. LILO God, love him sov'
With cry like that Of wounded AMI
NAL she fed out into the night, where
she could give vent to her anguish an
seen, for she had never wept before
her father, but always crept away and
hid herself until her grief was spent.
Gale would have started after her, but
Alluna dragged him back fiercely.
mo, no! It means your life, John
Let the secret die, and she will for
get. She is so young. Time will cure
her. Time cures everything. Don't
tell her, don't tell any one, and, above
IN, don't tell that soldier. He would
not believe, nor would she. Even ]
have doubted"
ssYour'
EYES, John. And, IL don't believe
what is a stranger to say? No man
knowing you would believe the tale
without proof. Suppose she doubted
Have you ever thought Of that? Would
yol not rather have her die still Low.
Ing you than live and disbelieve?'
eyes, yes! OF course Live thought
IL that, but Woman. you're worse
than rattlesnake!"
Gwen II he knew, he might moi
marry her. You at least are clean,
and that other man was devil. A
brave mans life is too great price ia
49,