Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-09

perhaps tell us where Owatoga IS, or is likely to be-"
 q have not seen him since we part ed an hour ago on the road to the church. I was given a friendly lift, and came straight here; supposed, of course, that he would follow"
 During this recital which Charles ad- dressed wholly to young Creighton, Gonzaga stood by furiously poking with the butt of his whip at the shells bordering the flower beds. There is evidently no satisfaction to be gained here," he exclaimed, contemptuously. Shall we try other quarters?" and strode away, leaving Gerald uncertain whether to go with him, or remain.
 Winslow decided for him. Your friend speaks truly, sir" he said. T can give no satisfaction except the as- surance of a gentleman that 1 am as ignorant as yourself of the where abouts of your sister or the Indian"
 Impulsively Gerald extended his hand. Winslow took it, with an ef- fort. Was not this man a murderer worse, a coward? But-but he was her brother.
 Charles took the proffered hand. q see as yet little cause for alarm. There have been no inquiries at your home; she may be there"
 "True," Gerald responded. I'll so at once"
 Tn the meantime" said Winslow, "I shall leave no stone unturned that may help to find her-and then keep her." he added, under his breath, as, outwardly calm, he bent again over the plants.
 When Gonzaga left the garden, he went straight toward the inn. He inquired of the octoroon whether she knew anything of the missing one.
 She expressed absolute ignorance, but he felt, somehow, that she could help if she would. The bronze brown of her eyes seemed curtain drawn tight that he might not read what lay behind those portals of ner cabined soul. -- .--.~ -'
 The Osage has not come back; can't tell where he is."
 She reiterated these until in disgust Gonzaga climbed to his horse and joined Gerald on the road to the Creighton home.
 The two men were scarce out of sight when Winslow dropped shears and trowel and hastened from the gar den.
 On the doorstep he met the octoroon, coming evidently to meet him. She was first to speak. 7r'You have hearc the news?'
 Yes. You have nothing more to tell me?' Winslow asked this in a sudden hope born of her manner. Her eyes, no longer opaque, were shining now, with iridescent light.
 You nave something to say, Belle? Quick, speak," he entreated, as with finger on lip she went into the kitchen, Winslow following.
 When they were alone she shut the door and turned to him. T don't know just where she is, Mir. Winslow, but I've a pretty good idea that she ain't nome"
 A sharp pain crossed his face at this, and she added, reassuringly, with an air of importance: But s'picion she's safe-I reckon she's with owatoga"
 But you only suspect? You only 'reckon"" Winslow could not forbear this interruption.
 Well, don't exactly know. and ain't 1t a good thing? Then nobody can make me tell, and she smiled with a know ing nod of her handsome head.
 Upon what do you base these sus- picions?"
 Mostly on this.' was the reply. and from her pocket she drew a thin bit of blrch bark. handing 1t to him with an air cf mystery.
 It was covered with linas and crosses evidently cut wit a knife. and con- veyed TO meaning to his mind.
 Who gavs yoa thsr' he derand- ed. with sEaothered excitement
 "osst0sa-iss; before he started to church Wf-h yoI"
 But did ne offer co eEplsnstion7 No key to this riddle"
 Smiling at his impstiencs. she said, deprecatingly: Excuse ms fl I'm slow. I'll get 70 the point directly. Yes. he partly explained i:. though I don't exactly understand. lie point cd to this cross and said as near as can remember: Here Is the church Then drawing his knife along this line; here eforest. and this bare space. the river. Then here. at this double cross. see. he looked right sharp at me. and said: The boat here-he can trust it-gOod boat you know his jerky wayl. Then he drew his knife along here. saying: River. river tvo or three times. At this funny little circle he stopped and said: The swamp of tansracks is here. and just beyond, is the hut-the old man of the woOds' He vent over all this again. sos I couldn't mistake"
 wlnslovs voice vas husky with esgerress as he asked: Did he men ton her-Miss Crsighton's naneg-
 No: but I knew what he meant when hs said the white maid viiI be safe with Ova.osa' I asked him a lot of questions. but he didn't seem to hear. Only when I asked if vas . - sNa. -s - E- -