Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-26


the knotted bandanna from his neck, and
begin to clean the gun, his head bowed
over 1t earnestly, his face in the shadow.
He had ever been a careful and method
lcal man, reflected Poleon, and evidently
would not go to sleep with his flre-arm in
bad condition.
Nobody imagined tnat Gaylord would
cause trouble Stark was saying, ''for
he didn't seem to be Jealous sort, just
stupid and kind of heavy-witted; but one
night he took advantage of Benefits alb
sence and sneaked up to the house." The
story-teller paused, and Nicola, who was
under the spell of his recital, urged him
on:
Yes, yes. What happened then? Go
on" But Stark stared gloomily at his
hands, and held his silence for full
minute, the tale appearing to have awak-
ened more than fieeting interest in him.
ever happened in those parts" he contin-
ued. Bennett came back to find his wife
murdered and the kid gone"
"Oh!" said the girl, in shocked voice.
Yes, there was the deuce of time.
The town rose up. in body, and We
you see, I happened to be there-we fol-
lowed the man for weeks. We trailed
him and the kid clear over into the Ne
vada desert where we lost them"
Poor mani"
Poor man ?"The story-teller raised his
eyes and laughed sinisterly. 1T don't see
where that comes in"
'And you never caught him?"
mo. Not vet"
HE died of thirst In the desert, maybe.
he and the little one"
That's what we thought at the time,
but don't believe 1t now"
How SOP
''Well, I've crossed his trail since then.
No. Gaylord is alive today, and so is the
girl Some time we'll meet" His voice
gave out, and ne stared again at the
floor.
Couldn't the little girl be traced?' said
Necia. what was her manner"
Stark made to speak, but the word was
never uttered, for there came deafening
roar that caused Lees candle to leap and
flicker and the air inside the cabin to
strike the occupants Hike bow. In
stantly there was confusion, and each
man sprang to his feet crying out az
frightedly, for the noise had come with
utter unexpectedness.
my God, I've killed him! cried Gale.
and with one jump he cleared half the
room and was beside Stark, while his re-
volver lay on the floor where he had been
sitting.
'eWhat is it?" exclaimed Burrell; but
there was no need to ask, for powder
smoke was beginning to fill the room ana
the traders face gave answer.
1t was whittier than that of his daugh-
ter, who had crouched fearfully against
that wall, and he shook like man with
ague. But Stark stood unhurt, and more
composed than any of them; following
the first bound from his chair, he had
relapsed into his customary quiet. There
had blazed up one momentary flash of
suspicion and anger, but it died straight
way, for no man could have beheld the
trader and not felt contritioh. His condi-
ton was pitiable, and the sight of
strong man overcome is not pleasant;
when 1t was seen that no harm had been
done the others strove to make light OF
the accident. 5s r..
Get together, all OF you! It's nothing
to be excited over" said Stark.
How did it. happen?" Runnion finally
asked Gale who had sunk Imply upon
the edge of the bunk; but when the old
man undertook to answer his words were
unintelligible, and he shook his head
helpIessly. u.
StOrk laid his finger on the hole that
the bullet had bored In the log close to
where he was sittings and laughed.
Never mind, old man, it missed me by
six inches. You know there never was
bullet that could kill me. I'm 'six-shooter
proof" &N.L-'
'eWhat'd 1 tell your" triumphantly
calculated Lee, turning his one eye upon
he lieutenant. You laughed at me,
didn't your III"
Pm beginning to- believe. it myself,
declared the soldier.
Its a cinch," said Stark. positively.
Doret, of all in the cabin, had said
nothing Seated apart from the others,
ne had seen the affair from a distance,
as it were, and now stepped to the bed
to lay his hand on Gales shoulder. M
Brace up, John! sacre bleu! Your face
look lax flour. Come outside an get iii
air." .9..
TT will do you good, father" urged
Necia
The trader silently rose, picked up his
hat and shambled out into the night be-
hind the Frenchman.
"The old man takes 1t hard" said Lee,
shaking his head, and Burrell remarked:
1--WE seen things like that in army
headquarters, and the fellow who acct
dentally discharges his gun invariably
gets a greater shock than his compan-
ion." ssr.
IT call It damned careless begging
your pardon, Miss Necia," said RunniOn.
Poleon led his friend down the trail
for half mile without speaking, till
Gale had regained a grip of himself and
muttered, finally: -
Il never did such thing before,
Poleon, never in all my life"
The young man turned squarely and
faced him, the starlight illumining their
faces dimly.
''Why?" said Doret.
"Why?" echoed Gale, with start.
"Well. because I'm careful, 1 suppose"
"Why?" insisted the Frenchman.
"I-I-I- What do you mean?'
Don't lie wit me, John. I'm happen
to be watch you underneat' my hat we'en
you turn roun' for see if anybody
looking"
you saw?'
yes"
81 thought you were asleep" said