The National tribune., 1903-11-12
CHAPTER VIII.
UNCLE OWEN AND JOHN.

Mrs. Redgrave, whose temper he had comt
to dread.
No doubt the reader thinks Uncle Owen
weak, and if so, he is correct Uncle
Owens weakness came from an overgen-
erous heart. He was usually master of
his own house. but he had promised his
dying brother to be brother to the wife
and the best of uncles to the child he was
leaving. Owen could not be harsh to the
widow of his beloved brother.
The morning meal passed; noon came.
and Malina had not appeared. At last
Uncle Owen plucked up courage to ask
Sally the maid if Miss Montrose was
awake.
''Haint seen her. Marster"
go to her room and call her"
Sally went but came back wild-eyed.
Hers gone.'
'.Gonew cried Uncle Owen.
'Yes, Marster.'
''Wherey'
'Dun know"
Impossible; you must be mistaken. Go
to the other rooms-search the house."
He went himself to the room she had
occupied. The keen eye of love saw a
note pinned to a pillow. 1t was in her
handwriting. addressed to him, but WAS
all too short.
Forgive me. first for ever having
crossed yOur path; second, for having been
weak enough TO accept your hospitality:
third, for leaving without thanking you
who have been too good to me. My dear
est friend, farewell.-MALINA."
He put the note carefully in the red
leather pocket>book which he carried in
his vest pocket, over his heart, then went
to his room completely crushed and in
deep despair.
He mentally asked a number of aues-
tiens which he was unable TO answer. and
propounded a hundred theories, all of
which he was incapable of explaining to
his own satisfaction. At last he was
compelled to give it up without any solu-
ton of the mystery of Malina's departure.
IF she ran away from me she doesn't
love me-" was the conclusion at which
he arrived. ''It is needless to think of
her now; she is gone, dead to me, but
love hern'
The days passed like wretched dream
to Uncle Owen. Doubly miserable is one
who has no one in whom he may confide.
Uncle Owen was one of those tender, gen.
: erous individuals who even in mature life.
require sympathy; but he sought among his
own in vain for consolation. The exultatiou
of Mrs. Redgraye and her son was too
plainly visible, and in self-Gefense he kept
to his room to brood over his wrongs in
silence.
One day a steamer descending the river
landed at COllinsyille and put off tal
robust stranger of about 35 years of age.
His blue eyes and sandy hair, his angular
features and prominent nose indicated that
he was person of considerable force of
character. His language and manner at
once betrayed him as Down East Yam
kee.
Simon Snoddy was native of Maine.
a man with many peculiar traits, one Of /
IL. Il n
fermining the motives of other people. He
was firm friend, bitter enemy, and/
noted for honor and truth. Down East
Yankees have not always been popular in
Southern States. nevertheless Simon Snod-
dy had Travelled over them, and made
scores Of friends.
He had been a collecting agent for a
manufacturing company that had sold
farm implements in TIE South, and while
he was capable, as some fgurativeiy put
1t. of squeezing blood out of a turnip,"
he never was know, to offend A delinquent
creditor, and very seldom called the law
to his aid to enforce his claim.
Among the many friends whom Simon
had made in KENTUCKY was Uncle Owen.
Uncle Owens romance had found its way
into print. and Simon on his way down
the river had halted for the express pnr-
pose Of calling ON linn and rendering his
sympathy. Simon's luggage was placed
y
of the planter, and Simon followed on foot.
Uncle Owen was in his room when Simon
was announced.
"Of all persons living, you are the one
prefer to see at this moment" declared
Uncle Gwen, seizius Simon's hand.
II heard of your trouble and came here
on purpose to help you" said Simon.
Help me, Simon? How can you help
me?"
Simon took bis large cotton handkef-
chief from his pocket and wiped his face.
1t was smooth-shaven. which seemed to
make nose and chin more prominent. Civ !
ing to The features additional force As
he fixed his blue eyes on his friend, there |
was look of earnest sympathy in their |
glance, such as would have won the con
fdence of any man.
= I'VE must find your sweetheart ant
bring her back"
But perhaps she does not want to
come" said Uncle Owen despondentiy
'Now, you've got the wrong idea there,
and I'll bet on It: but -ou tell me your
version Of this queer tangIe."
= Uncle Owen told him Ill he knew.
81 tell you, I'm right" declared Simon
emphaticalIy. 81 have thought from the
first that 1 heard that this here white
faced cuss is Mt the bottom Of 1t all"
- 81 fear as much; but what can his mo
tive be?"
"Now, he's either abducted that girl and
carried Ler away. or. he's scared her into
leaving"
"But her note to me, Simon; she seems
to have gone very willingly"
MY opinion he made her write 1t. He's
got hold on her. and I'd bet my head
for a football ON it. We've got tew break
his law. and make him let loose O. her.
Have you seen him since she left?'
NO"
"Any one else seen him?"
'sNot that know of"
'Then, you see, both went together"
SIT looks like it."
"And she never went with him Of her
own free will?"
81 don't believe she did"
"Uncle Owen, it's our duty to fnd her
and rescue her; she may be the prisoner
of that scoundrel. and from what know
of him, 1t would be better IL she was
dead"
"Do you know the MANI" asked Uncle |
Owen excitedIy.
'Fve met him in my trips up and down |
the old Mississippi."
"Who is he? What Is he? Can we
reach MIN anyway with the iaw?"
HE is q Mississippi gambler, named |
Joseph La Flore. more commonly known |
as Frenchy. He's a mysterious fellow. |
famous in all the towns on the river from
Keokuk tew New Orleans. don't know
where he is, but I'm pretty sure there
amt any laws he hasn't broke or II he
hasn't ne don't know what they are."
Uncle Owen started to his feet and
took a few quick turns across the floor.
He was q man Of peace, but he saw clear
ty that carin.,a froubLo xroc ipanapA;o-