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:imore he pondered it the more pitiful 1:“ seemed, the more monstrous. Lying awake and thinking of her in the still- 01 hisfiquarters, it had seemed a ~ ry unfortunate and a very terrible tuxg. During his morning duties the ’vision of her had been fresh before 1 {him again, ahd his constant contempla- ; tion of the matter had wrought a ; *change in his attitude toward the girl, t _. Allen asleep mth ain‘t- "v- ._ _,, for the revelation of her blood had come as a shock to him. He had :3ng from a race of slave- holders, from a land where birth and breed are more than any other thing. :where a drop of impure blood eflects an ineradicable stain. Therefore the :thonght of this girl’s ignoble parentage :ms so repugnant to him that the “iv c 3: which he was uncomfortably con- »scions and which he was glad to see she did not perceive. The men were pouring off the boat now, and through the crowd came the tall Frenchman, bearing in the hollow of each arm a child who flawed a bun- dle to its breast. His eyes grew bright- er at sight of Necia. and he broke into a flood or patois. They fairly bombard- ed each other with quick questions and fragmentary answers till she remem- bored her companion. The youthful Gales wfiggled at thjs culicions flattery and dug their tiny muccasined toes into the sand. Lieutenant Bun-ell had come with the others, for the arrival of a steam- boat called for the presence of every soul in camp, and, spying Necia 1n the outskirts of the crowd. he. tqak his “\v'aal. wan], I b'lieve cat's M'sxeu Juan an’ Mam’selle Mollee! Ba gar! Dey get so beeg w’ile I’m gone I don’ know dem no more!” Ins. Downstream came the faint signing 'whoot-whoor of a steamer. and then out from behind othe bend she burst. Her cabin deck was lined with passen~ gers, most of whom were bound for the “outside,” although still clad in mack- lnaw and overalls. They all gazed si- lently at the hundred men of Flam- beau, who stared back at them till the zangplank was placed. when they came ashore to stretch their legs. One of them. however, made sufficient noise to make up for the silence of the- oth- ers. Before the steamer had grounded he appeared among the Siwash deck hands, his head and shoulders tower- ing above them, his white teeth gleam- lng from a race as dark as theirs, shout. lug to his friends ashore and panto- miming his delight to the two Gale children, who had come with Allnna to Welcome him. smn’ ’longside of you, Miz Gale?” he tailed to her; then, shading his eyes etsho’tely, he cn'ed in a great voice: "Nani. waal. I b'lieve dat’s M'sieu lts voice had died ayay another took ,A_ ALI.â€" Oh,1 forgot my manners! Lieuten- ant Burrell. this is Napoleon Doretâ€" our POIEODI" $1.18 uuucu. WLLu yzvuu emphasis. Doret checked his volubility and stared at the soldier, whom he appear- ed to see for the first time. The little brown people in his arms stared like- wise. and it seemed to Burrell that a certain distrust was in each of the three pairs of eyes. only in those of the man there was no shyness. In- stead, the Canadian looked him over gravely from head to heel, seeming to note each point of the unfamiliar at- tire; then he inquired without remov- ing his glance: ’ "‘W’ore’houts you live, eh?” “l live at the post yonder.” said the lieutenant. . "W'at bizness you work at?” _'°'i‘he lieutenant has been stationed here. foolish.” salt] Necia. “Come up to the store quiet; and tell me what it‘s like at Dawson.” ' In wine of the man‘ s unfriendiiness, Burrvil WZX'. chad him \xith admiration. "mare new no heels to ma: tufted fur buutx. and yet he 'stood‘ a good six rm»: two as straight as a pine sap- Ii: 1;: and it neemxd no second glance to 11-:â€" 1'- t' “hat meta: he was made. His phit shuwed in his whole body,,m t‘w set of his head and. above an, i_n ins hill‘k. warm face, which glowed w :h m; femess when he talked. and that was everâ€"when he was not sing- in; In... I never see so many people since I i to! Uuebec, ' he “wag: savinz. “She’s { Poleon!” she added with proud (Continued from last week‘5 - .â€" “Mm..- _.-.._- vvv___ - , in the north, although the man's garb had deceived him at first glance. The stranger balanced the weapons, one in either hand; then he did the “double roll” neatly, following which he exe- cuted a move that Gale had not wit- newed for many years. He extended one of the guns, butt foremost. as If surrendering it, the action being free and oven. save for the fact that his wrâ€" â€"_- ' palm, and instantly there was a click as his thumbi‘ flipped the hammer. It was the old Gale as a boy had practiced hours at a time‘.‘ But that this man was in earnest he showed by glancing upward sharply when the trader laughed. “This one hangs all right,” he said: “give me a box of. cartridges." He emptied his gold sack in payment for the gun and ammunition. then re- marked: “That pretty nearly cleans me. It I had the price I’d take them both.” Gale wondered what need induced road agent spin,” which~ this fellow to spe‘nd his last few dol- . lars on a firearm. Then he inquired: “Bound for the ouQide?” “No. I’m locating here.” . The trader darted a quick glance at .him. He did not like this man. “There ain’t much doing in this camp. It’s a pretty poor place,” he said guard- ediy. “I’ll put in with you. from its looks,” agreed the other. “It’s got too many ~....-..._.- forefinger was crooked and thrust through the trigget guard; then, with the slightest jerk of the wrist, the gun spun about, the handle jumped into his ,In-l_ :‘No. six-eel” he denied. “Dere’s none of dem gal look half so purty in): you.” He would have said more: but. saying the trader at the entrance of the store, he went to him, straightway launching into the details of their commercial en- terprise, which, happily, had been most successful. Among the merchandise of. the post there were for sale a scanty assort- ment of firearms, cheap shotguns and a Winchester or two, displayed in a rack behind the counter in a manner to attract the eye of such native hunt. ers as might need them, and with the rest hung a pair of Colt’s revolvers. One of the new arrivals, who had sep- arated from the others at the trout. now called to Gale: “Are those Colts for sale? rmne was old stolen the 'other day." Evidently he was accustomed to Yukon prices, for he showed no surprise at the figure the trader named. but took the guns sud “Yes; two. t’ree honareu. nos 0; dem Is work in dance halls. Dere’s one fine gal I see. name' Marie Bour- gette. I tell you ’bout her by an' by.” "Oh. Poleon. you’re in love!” cried Necia. t’onsan’ people- dey come. an, a.“ nigh sing an’ drink w’iskee. fine place!” “Are there lots of ' asked the girl- Ink bees City“ “Napoleon Dov-W Palm!" each of them, whereupon ." as tenden'eet are known cityâ€"mus' be free. tour 1e. Every day some more 3 an night dey dance an’ : w’iskee. Ba gosh- flat" white women 7" ' men, but as he watched the fellow a scheme outlined itself in his head. 3 Evidently the man dared not go far- ther down the river. for there was nothing save Indian camps and a mis- sion or two this side of St. Michael' and at that point there were a co and many soldiers, where one was lia- ble to meet the penalty of past mis- deeds; hence he was probably resolved to stop here, and. judging by his rec- ord- he was a man of unsettled con- whose rd: were known. but he had lost hln It in the confusion n: Daw- son for a few weeks until the scarlet ”outed riders arched him out. db- i aboard this steamer. I Old Man Gale cared little for “118. for he had spent his life among such: edthisbimeriy.withapecuiiarieering urtothisnp,esithis wordstueed bad. “Mostottheboysaregoinznpriv- ins vaguely. “I’m going to prospect.” Gale knew instinctively that the tel- low was lying. for his hands were not those of a miner. but there was noth- ing to be said His judgment was veri- fied. however, when Poieon drew him aside later and said: “He’s bad man." “How do you know?" “She's leave Dawson dâ€"n queeck. Dose mounted police t'row 'im on de boat jus’ before we let.” Then he told a story that he had heard. The man, it seemed, had left Skagway between two suns. upon the dismption of Soapy Smith's band of desperadoes. and had made for the interior, but had been in- tercepted at the pass by two members of _the citizens’ committee who came upon him suddenly. Pretending to yield. he had executed some unexpect- ed coup as he delivered his gun. for both men fell, shot through the body. No one knew just what it was he did nor cared to question him overmuch. The next heard of him was at Lake Bennett. over the tin... when the mounted police recognized him and sent him on. They marked him well. however, and passed him on from post “Well. this camp is bigger than it was an hour ago. and it ain't im- proved any in the growth. Yonder goes the new citizen." He pointed to the stranger, who had returned to the steamer for his baggage and was de- scending‘the gangplank beneath them, a valise in each hand. ‘ “He's a thief and a murderer, and we don’t want him here. Now. it's up to you." 0rd, he was a man or unsettled con- victions. The trader stepped to the door and. seeing Burrell on the deck of the steamer. went down toward him. It was a long chance. but the stakes were big and worth the risk. He had thought much during the night pre- viousâ€"in fact, for many hoursâ€"and the morning had found him still unde- cided, wherefore he took this course. “Necia tells me that you aim to keep law and order here.” he began abrupt- ly, having drawn the young man aside. “Those are my instructions.” said Burrell. “but they are no vague”â€" “Well, this camp ls bigger than it “I don’t understand." said the lien- tenant. whereupon the trader told him Doret’s tale. “You and your men were sent here to keep things peaceable," he concluded, “and I reckon when a. man is too tough for the Canuck police he is tbugh enough for you to tackle. There ain’t a lock and key in the camp. and we ain’t had a killing or a stealing in ten years. We'd like to keep it that way.” ‘ The young man gazed back at him so squarely. his eyes were so pleasant and friendly. his whole person breath- ed such straight up honesty and fresh- ness that shame arose in the old man. and he had hard shift to keep his glance from wavering. Without tore- thought he answered impulsively: 7 “He’s desperate and he's dangerous. I sold him a 45 just now.” He was "about to tell him where the man wore it and to add :1 word concerning his dexterity with the gun when the very fearless deliberation of the youth de- terred him. On second thought Gale yielded to an impulse to wait and see how Made Burrell would act under fire. It the soldier emerged’ scathless it would give him‘a line on his charac- ter. I: he did not-well, that would "vâ€"‘v â€"v -_-. “Well. you see. I know nothing of that shooting aflray, so I doubt it my authority would permit me to inter- fere,” the soldier mused. halt to him- self. “I allowed you were to use your own judgment." said the elderfmn. “So I am. I suppose. There is one chance. Mr. Gale. If you‘ll back me up I'll send him on down to St. Mlehael’s. That is the most I can do." The lieutenant outlined his plan. and as he went on the trader nodded ap- proval. -W... .-â€"... ......._ ‘0‘- _. and forced mm anneal: av- ‘\.W W ‘3‘ P‘oj also md a sinister message in the tone. slid his heavy service revolver from its hoister beneath his coat. “Give me your gun.” he said. “i'il unload it and'give it back to you at the gangpiank." “All right; you‘ve got the upper 'hand." said the man through lips that had gone white. Drawing his weapon from beneath his vest. he presented it to the omcer. butt foremost. hammer underneath. Sate cylinder reposcd nat- uraiiy in the palm of his hand. and the tip of his forefinger was thrust through the trigger guard. Burreii lowered the barrel of his re- smlrer and put out his left hand for the other‘s weapon. Suddenly the man's wrist jerked. the soldier saw a blue flicker of sunlight on the steel as it whirled. saw the arm or Poieon Do- ret ding itself across the bar with the Dwa- v- _â€" ‘__77 “It" l“: V!” VI 5. of a concussion w5nd the spatter of .. i h r- some liquid in his face. 'Then he :3; i evgo;ousee‘omrto'hl>erllgnlmqh 3y when "2: m ”mm .2“; mm; | m m m m m ug; W s of yglass with it: and saw the fellow ! fighcg'ed’m? ”‘1 it es me cry step backward. snatching at “Nun“; , “Ho. mu he chuckled “dis gin" no gers 0‘ mtg; 32¢whfskggtasgn z time for cryin'. be gosh! i guess you ptgwdfr smo e i don’ have so much present w en you e a r. , a was li’l' gal you'se'f. w'at? Mebbe There are tinsugheaaan fingfgg i you t‘inl: i forget you. Waal. i didn't." gill fignmgfét hady seen the manner I He began to undo the fastenings of apo . ‘ a parcel he carried in his arms. 0‘ the 33:1?”JJET'315L1‘333? I “Don't you dare open in” cried x.» “‘1' m g. I via: my. that? hair the fin." She l was a child herself now. her face flushed and her hands n-tremble. Tak- inv the package to the table. she hur- 3 riedly untied the knots while he stood ' watching her. his teeth showing white against his dark face and his eyes half shut as if dazzled by the sight of her. ‘ “0h. why didn’t: you tie more knots mitr'shehreatheanseheundidthe and where they will be taken care of by the government. Llr. Gale has only sumclent provisions to winter the men already in this district.” - “I can take care of myselt.” said the man angrily. “whether l’m broke or not. and I don’t want any of your in- terference." He shot a quick glance at Falcon Doret. but the Frenchman’s face was like wood. and his hand still held the neck of the whisky bottle he had set out for the stranger. “Come." said the oncer peremptori- ly. “l have heard all about you. and you are not the kind of citlzen we want here. but if you have enough money for an outfit i ,can‘t send you away. If you haven't”-â€" - he even better. Themwdwucomhghacktothe steamer. which had (uncut-zed her few bundle- of. height. and there was noonetnsldetholocpootutheyen- tel-ed emptDoretand the meager. whohaddopofltedhbhau'ue nttho meandwunlklng withthol‘rench- man at the her. At night or the lien. tenant he hecune silent and turned carelessly. although with ‘4 dun-mun! the soldier condoned. tor a miner. isn‘t it?" “It'- plenty for me.” “Have you enough money to buy your season’s grub?" “I guess that'- my business." “My order: are to see that ell new. comers either have an outfit or an able to buy one." said Barrel]. “Those {lint are Hot equipped properly an to be sent down river to St. Michael'l. when there In plenty of everything the note in his voice Poleon D muscles tightened. and Burn“, The arm of Poison Dorct fiw (my across 016 bar. ed. At the very instant 01' the feilow’s treachery Ddi'et struck with his bottle just in time to knock the weapon from his hand. but not in time to prevent in; discharge. The huilet was lodged In foot from where Gale stood. Aiming a summing downward blow with his Colt. Bum“ cupped the Shag. way man Just ebove‘the ear. and he mica. Then as he Tell the once: “‘" -‘ 5‘. tum 33:; wickedly mun 1“ “3 °PP°' "' nent'fl skull. but Dom seized him I)!' .‘f‘ »._-.â€"_â€" ‘- are. Eta-tell wasted no time. “Are you going to locate hero?” the man. but at outfit long in the Frenchman'- memory, e nee manned with fury and CODYM llke that or s sprinter at the finish of 1 race. The two men ecu-ed et each other over the alien figure for e brief moment until the some: guned mu- tery of himself end sheathed his wep- on. when Poleon smiled. “I spoil'nqnnnotgoodw'inkeeon you. Det'l wort' live don‘t.” The lientenuat wiped the liquor trom -I-vâ€"w-" __,, , “He's a nice young teller. ole man. Snpre! -W’en he‘- mnd his eye got no red Ink my outlet-shirt." But the trader made no reply. gw' hing “mam 7 1e. long mt! 11““ “t winch 1‘ tellow’s mlp open from PM" I'm coming back to winter with you. lieutenant! II: nan. 1' Bum" And until the ctumer was hidden be- mambeodbdovtheyn'hlm sanding there pun: back gt them axed!!- ”Burnnmthotwomenat “muanmmmym French Canadian nod Old. 'h‘“ cheek! 008M: E6? CHAPTER III. mom mm? or cuzncr. HEN the steamer had gone Napoleon Donet went to look for Neda and found her playing with the younger Galen. who reveled ln the guts he had brought Never had there been such gorgeous presents for little folks. The elder girl laughed gladly an Po- with the pity of it. “You seem to bring sunshine wher- ever you go.” she said. “They have never had things to play with like other children. and it makes me cry to leoh enteredfthouzh her eyes were wet slowly. she gasped in astonishment She shook it out gentLv. reverently, a took from it'a picture hat with long jet plumes. which she stroked and pressed fondly against her face. There. were other garments alsoâ€"n silken petticoat. silk stockings and a pair of high heeled shoes to match. with cer- tain other delicate endldain/ty things which she modestly forbu'ewto inspect before the Frenchman. who said no word, but only sued ct her. end for whom she had no eyes as yet. Finally she laid her present: aide and. turn- make. Next she opened mgtohim, summation stricken voice: M awe “It’s all there. everything complete! on. Poleonâ€"yon dear. deu- Poleon!” She took his‘ two big had. by the thumbs. as had been her cutomrever uncegnewasachMundlookednp at him, her eyes wet with emotion. But she could not keep any from the anatorlongandretumedmteast her eyes upon It. “You Ink It. eh?" pruned Pagan, m :17 for more demolishing} M and the; opening the mppings of otthe for did cost a fortune!" Ya. sir! I gamble good (ht w’le I play roulette, deal I play some more, an' by... a new dance gal, Shea “Oh. I‘ve heard about her! ch. “She owns a claim on “Bare. she's Men's wit' Chill: Carmela“ fiche renaming“ know itdlstlun’, 301mb dance wit’ me. Den we drink“ of champagneâ€"twenty dollar. “ “For w’y shtll I sell 'lm? ~ ‘Idon' weat’lm beta-canto“: Idon' getno moredresllakagq t‘ounn' dollar.’ " fi Neck exclaimed excitedly. f “ ‘For w’y you sell 'lm? I ay, ‘1 came I’ll nk’ '11:: down to M for Neel: Gale. w’at never 5‘ i drul lak dat in all her lite! w“ 311', dat Marie Bourgette she’- in you before. 111' your dad, too...“ dose Cheeclnkos know ’bont Olh Galeâ€"co the any: “ ‘W’at lookln' kind of gal In fig, charge for sell me dat dran- door'tnl shé pus me de whole m “ 'Don't forget de little shoe: 1. an' dnt’s how it come." and, aghast. mammw “Only for de good hen-t «(Ii ” ‘But maybe your little nu moreplgge: u I am. may won’t Q ~ 11;, you don' know me. and I say. ‘I can 1088 de weight du thou to five ponn'. She'll bell: la'ktn' one inch roun’ de wait? gol' mine on El Dorado mud done Swede w'at mt to «Magi but. I‘m goin' sell ’11:: to yanked bondmd dollar. 1n8' W'at I I"! film You wait hereull I comeback! ; “W“ no. Munselle Male. 1‘!" 'long. too. for so you don’ chums-i no Funchemans to talk lak u. I here! [can sell dis (ll-eater!“ dollar tonight. or I can trade ll cur An' I tell heran’boutya, I'm trough she say: I’ “It was very nice of both otml -I can't went it. I've wen-1 dress like it except in pic-tum. d? conidh’râ€" She saw his face”! and impulsively: “I'll wear it once anyhow. PH just for you. Go away quick MI let me put it on.” “Dnt’s good.” he nodded ashefl away. . 1‘]. bet 5931 .mak’ dooedncl women 1001: Tax suagerf' pdd for it- the “outside’ showing :2 “I In the nefivest styles :1 Mi I.“- Apm tn falncY he In the newest styles ana Wfl‘ her eyes to fancy herself . like manner. I: Pole-en's eye had been a ed he? , 1‘ save at the waist, which “‘3" 1'89 " mon‘than an inch too I! ‘ Standing the fact that she W“ worn suchucorsetastlnHVd1 ‘ m Bong-gene was My, / / AAH The loafer Oh no ”091% Continued 1 payv wan t'om'.‘ k’ seven hondred doth " she any, 7. '. “how an