Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-02-16

ludI you were brave, your hearts were
strong, and that hence you would find
favor as the adopted child of the Great
Spirit who has been offended"
Law looked at Pembroke, and they
both regarded Mary Connynge and the
babe. cat least" said Law, "they
spare the woman and the child. So
far very we'll. Sir Arthur, we are at
the last hazard"
Il have asked them to take me-" said
Pierre Noir, "for L am an old man and
have no family. But they will not listen
to me-
Pembroke passed his hand YEARLY
across his face. Il have behind me so
long memory of suffering" said he,
and before me so small an amount of
promise, that for myself l am content
to let it end. 1t comes to all sooner
or later, according to our fate
'You speak," said Law, las though
it were determined. Yet Pierre says
it will not be both of us, but one"
Pembroke smiled sadly "Why, sir"
said he, do you think me so sorry a
fellow as that? Look!" and he pointed
to Mary Connynge and the child.
There is your duty"
Law followed his gaze, and his look
was returned dumbly by the woman
who had played SO strange a part in
the late passages of his life. Never
word with her had Law spoken re-
garding his plans or concerning what
he had learned from Pembroke. AS
to this, Mary Connynge had been afraid
to ask, nor dare asia even now
Besides" went on Pembroke later,
as he called Law aside, there is some
thing to be done-not here, but over
there, in England, or in France. Your
duty is involved not only with this
woman. You must find sometime the
other woman. You must see the Lady
Catharine Knollys."
Law sunk his head between his
hands and groaned bitterly.
go you rather said ha.4"and .spand-
your IRE ior her. l choose that it
should end at once, and here"
81 have not been wont to call Mr..
Law coward" said Pembroke, sim
ply.
81 should be coward if should
stand aside and allow you to sacrifice
yourself; nor shall I do so,' replied
the other.
"They say" broke in Pierre Noir,
who had been listening to the excited
harangues of first one warrior and then
another, that both warriors are great
chiefs, and that both should go to-
gether. Teganisoris insists that only
one shall be offered. This last has
been almost agreed; but which one Of
you tits to be has not yet been deter
mined
Dawn came through the narrow door
and open roof holes of the lodge. The
rising of the sun seemed to bring con-
viction to the Iroquois. All at once
the savage council broke up and scat
tered into groups, which hurried to
different parts of the village. Pres
emily these reappeared at the central
lodge. There sounded concerted saw
age chant. A ragged column appeared,
whose head was faced toward the cat
aract. There were those who bore
strings of beads and strips Of fur, even
the priced treasures of the tufted scalp
locks, whose tresses, combed smooth,
We're adorned with colored cloth and
feathers.
Pierre Noir was silent; yet, as the
captives looked, they needed no advice
that the sacrifcial procession was now
forming.
"They said," began Pierre Noir, at
length, with trembling voice, turning
his eyes as he spoke, that it could
not be myself, that it must be one of
you, and but one. They are going to
cast lots for it. 1t is Teganisoris who
has proposed that the lots shall be
thrown by" Pierre Noir faltered,
unwilling to go on.
"And by whom?" asked Law, quietly.
"By-by the woman-by madame!"
ITO be continued