Part 27 (1/2)
”Yes,” she declared ”Why not? You'll do it for side of de pries', lovin' dat oder feller all de tam'?” he asked, queerly
”Yes, YES! I'd rather it was you than anybody, but h at me”
Doret held his silence for a moment, then he looked up and said, in level tones:
”It's easy t'ing for go an' ask 'im, but you mus' hear hees ansit'
your own ears--den you can't t'ink I'm lyin' I'll fetch 'im 'ere on dis place if you feex it for hide you'se'f behin' dose post” He indicated a bundle of furs that were suspended against a pillar, and which offered aoin' be no lies to-day”
He pulled hiait of an old reat shock head bowed low A few moments later he returned
”I've sent li'l' Jean for 'iht--an' wait”
CHAPTER XII
A TANGLED SKEIN
When Burrell entered he wasted no tis
”I knohy you sent for me, Poleon I've heard the news, and I would have been up anyhow to congratulate her very soon I call it pretty fine”
”Yes, dere's been beeg strike all right, an' Necia is goin' be riche gal”
”I'm as pleased as if the claim were mine, and you feel the same way, of course”
The Frenchman nodded ”I love Necia very e that she was listening made him very uncomfortable--in fact, this whole affair savoredhe had ever atterain, but it had presented itself as the only way to help her, and he proceeded, groping haltingly for fit expression, ”Dere's t'ing I want for talk 'bout wit' you, but I'm scare' you'll t'ink I'm butt in”
”Nonsense,” said Burrell ”I know you too well for that”
”You know ood man, eh? An' you know I ain' try for bre'k up oder fellers' biznesse, never! Wal, I'ot bad trouble on de er, Poleon Let's have it If there is anything I can do, youhis throat, ”it's lak' dis Dere's feller been talk some 'bout Necia, an' it ain' nice talk neider”
”Who is he?” exclaiirl's heart leap
”Wait! Lemme tol' you w'at he say, den we'll talk 'bout feex 'im plaintee He say dere's joke down on Stark's saloon dat Necia Gale is mak' fool of herse'f on you, an' dat you ain' care for marry her”
”Runnion!” cried Burrell, and started for the door ”I'll settle with hi hiravely, continued, in a tone that the other could not disregard nor mistake:
”No, M'sieu', before you pass on dat place you'll tol' rily ”What business is it of yours? This concerns ardeen for Necia till John Gale come back, an' I'et ; dere's more dan 'im been talkin' Is it true?”