Part 36 (2/2)
”Well?”
”It's pretty late This place is lonely This is the sionist, and when he did not speak Burrell continued:
”Co you a chance”
But Stark shook his head
”Don't be afraid,” insisted the Lieutenant ”There are no witnesses If you get ood If not--it's ambler still made no move, he insisted, ”You wouldn't have me kill you like a rattlesnake?”
”You couldn't,” said the older man ”You're not that kind--and I'm not the kind to be cheated, either Listen! I've lived over forty years, and I never took less than was coet your share--”
”Bah! You don't knohat I mean I don't want you; it's him I'm after, and when I'm done with hiht noon't take a chance on losing what I've risked so et You ht put me away--there's the possibility--and I won't let you or any other irl--cheat un”
The soldier hesitated, then did as he was bidden, for this ht to treat you like ato fight for John Gale, however, and you can't take hie-pole before daylight”
”No”
”I say yes!” Stark turned to go, but paused at the door ”And you think you'll marry Necia, do you?”
”I know it”
”Like hell you will! Suppose you find her first”
”What do youbehind him a lover already sorely vexed, and now harassed by a new and sudden apprehension What venom the man distilled! Could it be that he had sent Necia away? Burrell scouted the idea She wasn't the kind to go at Stark'sher, why, this was not an age of abductions! He ht aim to take her, but it would require sohts, and even then there were Gale and himself to be reckoned with
Still, this was no tithere ork to do There was no telling what this night would bring forth, but first hetogether, not as soldier and civilian, but as ainst it He sh with the are and new from this ti hi other peoples; but he did not flinch, for it led to her Behind hian anew
Stark traced his way back to his cabin in a ten ti; back past the dark trading-post he went, pausing to shake his clenched fist and grind out an oath between his teeth; past the door of his own saloon, which was a-light, and whence cah the scattered houses, where he went ht, up to the door of his own shack He fitted his key in the lock, but the door swung open without his aid, at which he remembered that he had only pulled it after him when he came aith Necia He closed it behind hi to do; then felt through his pockets for ait, bent over his la at last, flooding the narrow place with its illuhtened up and turned towards the bed to throw off his coat, when suddenly every muscle of his body leaped with an uncontrollable spasm, as if he had uncovered a deadly serpent coiled and ready to spring In spite of hiiant hands, and his breath ca at his table, barely an array-blue eyes fixed upon hiraven in stone His huge, knotted hands were upon the table, and between them lay a naked knife
CHAPTER XVI
JOHN GALE'S HOUR
It was a heathenish tiht Burrell, as he left the barracks, but hehi clouds obscured what star-glow there was in the heavens, and he stepped back to light a lantern By its light he looked at his watch and exclaimed, then held it to his ear Five hours had passed since he left Gale's house Well, the call was urgent, and Necia would understand his anxiety
A few moments later he stood above the squaho crouched on the trader's doorstep, wailing her death song into the night He could not check her; she paid no heed to hie, weird song which so; where is Necia? Where is she?” he deht, but Alluna only blinked owlishly at his lantern and shook her head
”Gone away,” she finally inforain in her despair, but he held her fiercely