The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-03-10

?
"No, no; don't haUe any troubled" she
pleaded.
levolently, searching his mind for an
epithet sufficiently vile and, finding It,
spat it Out-"dreSsmakerS!
So this was why both Stark and
Runnion had gone up the creek with
the three new men, thought Burrell
No doubt they had deliberately arrang-
ed the whole thing so that the new
arrivals could Immediately relocate
each Of Necfa's claims-the pick of all
the ground outside Lees discovery and
the surest to be valuable-and that
Stark would share in the robbery.
Carefully slipping around the corner
Of the cabin and keeping the house be-
tween him and the others, Burrell
broke into a swift run, making the ut
most possible speed for fear they
should miss him and guess his pur-
pose, or, worse yet, finish their discus
sion and adjourn before he could COM
plete his task. He was light man on
his feet, and he lodged through the
forest, running more carelesSly the
farther he went. visiting first the up
per claims; then, making wide de-
tour Of the cabin he came back to the
initial stake of Necia's lower claim,
staggering from his exertions, his
lungs bursting from the strain. He
had covered nearly a mile; but. even
so, he laughed grimly as he walked
back toward the cabin, for it was a
game worth playing, and he was glad
to take a, hand on the side of the
trader and the girl. Coming within
kearshot, he heard the meeting vote to
adjourn. 1t could not have terminated
more OPPORTUNITY had he held stop
watch on 1t.
Runnion addressed the other con-
spirators loudly:
"Well. boys, there are three good
claims open for relocation. I'm sorry
| can't stake one of them"
"They won't lie open long" said one
of the undesirable citizens. starting TO
turn downstream. while his two COM
panions made for the opposite direc-
ton. But Burrell stopped them.
''Too late, boys. Your little game
went wrong. Now. now, don't get ex-
cited. Whew, l had quite a.run!'
Gale paused in his tracks and looked
at the young man queerly.
what do you mean|
1--WE Jumped those claims myself"
"You jumped them cried Necia.
"Sure. I changed my mind about
stalking
Its lie." cried Runnion, at which
Burrell whirled on him.
give been waiting for this. Runnion,
ever since you came back. Now
81 mean you haven't had time" the
other temporized hurriedly.
"Oh. that sounds better. If you
don't believe me take look for your
self You'll find my notice just be
meath Miss Gales" Then to NO
Creek" Lee he continued. Kindly re-
cord them for me SO there will be no
question Of priority"
I'm be ID if l do!' said the
belligerent recorder. You're worse'n
| these crooks. That ground belongs to
Necia Gale"
Up to this time Stark had remained
/ silent, his impassive face betraying not
4 shadow of chagrin, for he was a
good loser but now he spoke at large.
Anybody who thinks the American
army is asleep is crazy" Then to Bur-
rell, ''You certainly are a nice young
man to double cross your friends like
that"
You're no friend of mine," Meade
retorted.
81? What do you mean"
II double crossed you, Stark; nobody
else. There's no use mouthing words
about it, said he These thugs are
your tools, and you tried to steal that
ground because it's sure to be rich
Stark exclaimed angrily, but the 9TH
err gave him no time to break H.
Now, don't get rough, because that
is my game. and I'd be pleased enough
to take you back prisoner" Then
turning to Lee, he said: Don't make
J me force you to record my locations.
I staked those claims for Miss Gale.
and I'll deed them to her when she
turns eighteen"
Poleon Doret called to Runnion:
"M'sieu, you member wat / toll you
yestidday? I'm begin for t'ink it's GO
| In be you"