Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-12-11

four to manage that woman.
couldn't stay in the same camp and
set up quarters by big black stump
half mile away from her."
Curse such luck! wish the men
had stayed"
why? Who are you afraid OFF"
Il don't know who he is, only he
calls himself the Old Man of the
Mountains"
Where is he?"
: 'Tn her tent"
where did he come from?"
Looks as IL he had slid down the
peak of some iceberg. Go and take
a squint at him"
Cummins, though a coward when
there was woman in the case, had
little fears of men. Creeping stealth
lily up to the tent he peeped in and
beheld the odd Man Of the Noun
tains," seated on camp stool before
the fair Laura, his rifle between his
lnees, while she was telling him her
story.
"Umph! It's old st. Nick or an
escaped Selkirk. Looks as If he
bristled with weapons. and I don't
doubt but he can use 'en. The boss
is. right. for a glimpse O. that face
and the arsenal he carries is enough
to give a polar bear the ager."
Notwithstanding the unprepossess
ing appearance Of the man from the
mountains. he pressed his ear close
to the tent to listen to the converse
ton between the two.
why did you come to Alaska, my
poor chi!d?"
II came to find the man | love. My
Paul, who was lost"
Laura told the old man her story
And at the conclusion said:
"He tells me Paul is dead. dc
not believe him. He has deceived me
on more than one occasion, and he
will do SO again il it serves his pur
pose. My heart tells me Paul lives
my child, that silent monitor Ii
never wrong. Your Paul lives. He Is
not far away. but he, you and / are IL
great peril. We must act with caution
and secrecy or we will all be deac
before morning. These men are des
perate criminals. Will you trust me?'
Eyes. with my life!"
Pretend as IL you had heard moth
ting. but be ready to act as direct.
do you know where Paul is?"
yes, but he is under a strong
guard. Is there no one with tn,
train you can trust? No Indian Of
Esquimo?"
Il do not understand them moi
they me; but have my trusty ser
INT, Ben Holton."
e. Where is he?"
"He was sent to-day to see If the
pass could be opened"
The pass has not been closed,
said the hermit. my dear daughter
sending him off was only an excuse t.
get your friends out of the way; blu
all is well. Heaven is on your side
and directed me here"
"Humph! Well see about that!
growled Cummins, rising from hi:
knees. They kin put their trust IL
what they like, but ii the boss will
let me have my way. Ill put mine il
about ten inches of cold STEEL"
He hurried to Lakeland, who wa.
sitting on a sled, his face expressing
the deepest anxiety. In as few words
as possible he narrated the interview
between the mysterious old man anc
Laura. Lakeland made several eff
forts to speak before he finally sue
ceeded, then, in voice strangely I'm
natural, he said:
1T has come at last! l hoped
would be spared bloodshed, but there
Is no help for it. Since it must come
let 1t come. We Will do our worst. /
the old man and Paul Miller are in oul
way, let them die!"
well, there will be little time
to act"
II know H."
Lakeland, who still shrank from tn,
thought of committing murder him
self, began to plan to have his myrmi
dons do all the work. and agreed yer,
readily to have reinforcements.
Il think It would be well for you t.
start back and get two of the men,
he ssla. Cant you do it in a few
hoursf"
"Yes; on snowsnuss can zaase 4
by tomorrow noon. Let US ieav;
the valley and start down the trail.
They had to cross the river to reach
the trail, but by this time the Yukor
was frozen over, SO they crossed OF
the ice.
They had scarce got over when they
saw three forms coming along the
trail.
There they are now" said Lack
land.
The three forms could be seen com
ing hurriedly up the path and, wher
they drew nearer. the form of the ole
man could be seen coming along be
hind.
"Holton, come heFe!" said Lakeland
AS the old man advanced toward him
the Indians were ordered across the
river on the ice.
What dye want, Mr.. Lackland?"
I "Your mistress sept for you to &c
back and meet Miss willis"
Me go back" sasped old Ben
This do seem monster queer. Why
Tn about petered out. don't believe
I kin go mile furder',"
tits not over mile"
''we'll try T. stand it.
Lakeland took the arna of the tired
faithful old fellow and led him as rap
IDLY as he could travel ulntil the cav
ern was reached.
1 "1s that the place. CuImmins?" HI
asked.
YES"
Come in herein this cavern!"
"What for?"
Shut your internal mouth and come