The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-11-30

indeed, why not? She had often taker
long walks with him as guide, and hi
was ever faithful, interesting. Besides
it suited her defiant mood to be alb
sent when Gonzaga should return.
She extended her hand. Owatogs
assisted her to the ground, and led
the way at once into the forests
dense cavern to the south. On he
strobe into the heart of the wood, mol
paused until the river lay before them
"a great glass imaging the sky. She
gave gasp of delight. "Oh, the view:
it is indeed beautiful"
She stood on gentle rise of ground,
with the Missouri rolling its muddy
torrent at her feet Silent, secret-bur-
dened it lay, Sphinx, with giant paws
of sand encroaching on the world
about it.
and you brought me to see the
view, Owatoga? 1t is so lovely so vivid!
But l am tired, l shall take time to
rest moment" and she caught up the
folds of her muslin dress, looking
about for a seat. This was Owatoga' S
opportunity. "Sit in the boat; see,
Owatoga has it ready" and from a
sheltering cove he dragged a light,
strong canoe. Back in the shadows
was aIother-a smaller boat She
laughed. why, you have a whole
fleet at hand"
The shrewd eyes narrowed. and he
replied with a grunt of hidden mean
ing: 1.-The other is for him" Then
giving her no time for question, ne
pointed again to the boat he had first
dragged forth. "Sit." A cushion in
the stern looked most inviting; the
boat was apparently secure on the
beach. Into it she sprang, seating her
self with a sigh of comfort. "There!
the view is charming; the seat is SOFT
l am not in danger of being made love
to--altogether, am quite-why, OWa-
toga, what are you doing?" for the
latter had given the light skiff vigor-
Gus push. 1t grated moment on the
sand, then off on the rivers turbid
crest, with the Indian at the oars
TIC S9Ill saw OhC 6iuhNS oe SAS w.
increasing passage of water between
her and the shore, then sprang to her
feet in a panic. But the dangerous
rocking of the boat recalled her, and
she sank to the cushion, calm-but
with face blanched to the whiteness
of the foam that curled in their wake.
What does this mean? Is it
trick-a jest?"
1--WE are going to the old mans; he
is Owatoga's friend. He will take the
white maid he will not let her be the
squaw of the yellow man."
Owatogas friend? But no, it could
not be; he would not call Winslow an
"old man" His mysterious manner,
his strange words, and, above all, his
rapid rowing away from shore, tend
ed to unnerve her, but she made great
effort to hide her fear. Leaning for
ward, she placed one hand playfully
on the oar-lock, and said: "Let us go
back now. Senior Gonzaga will be
waiting"
HE will have long to wait" was the
disheartening reply. A shiver passed
over her; the hot wind was breath
of ice; a clammy hand on her brow.
Then she mastered the horror, and
only two helpless tears betrayed the
struggle.
"You brighten me, Owatoga, yet l
know you would do me no harm. Ex-
plain, then, why we are going-why
you are taking me away" There was
command and pleading in the voice;
he responded by less rapid rowing.
and fathomless smile. you are safe
with Owatoga; more safe than with
that other" The dilated nostrils and
conteTptuous curve of the wide mouth
conveyed plainly the speakers opinion
of his masters rival.
Lavender was beginning to under
stand. "Then you wish to take me
away from Senior Gonzaga?" eyes;
this is the only way" and he seemed
to gather fresh vigor with his words,
and tugged stronger at the oars.
When they came in sight of the scat
tered cabins of st. Charles, new hope
sprang in her heart. you are taking
me to the village?" For answer the
Indian rowed harder toward mid
stream.
Soon all human habitation was left
far behind; the two were alone on the
wide river.
AS calmly as possible, Lavender ex-
planned that her worst alarm was for
her mother; of the anxiety she would
feel. And the other said-less gruff-
ly than he had yet spoken: "Owatoga
has thought of that; he has told all
to the woman at the inn; she will tell
them that the maid is safe with Owa-
toga." Again: at is the only way;
trust Owatoga," he repeated, with mo-
notonous insistence.
And she did trust him. She could
not lose faith in the man who had
been their friend for so long. And
they had ever found him faithful. If,
then, as he said, her mothers anxiety
would be relieved, the chief load was
lifted from her heart. Whatever was
his reason for taking her away-freak,
within, or savage fancy, she felt sure it
would not be for long. and, above all,
she need have no personal fear. This
security was much; 1t helped her to
bear the suspense and fatigue. Dumb