The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-12-07

ueT, ne duueu, uuutr HIS DIodJu, dc
outwardly calm, he bent again owe
the plants.
When Gonzaga left the garden, h
went straight toward the inn. HI
inquired of the octoroon whether sh
knew anything of the missing one
She expressed absolute ignorance
but he felt, somehow, that she coult
help If she would. The bronze brown
of her eyes seemed a curtain drawn
tight that he might not read what la!
behind those portals of ner cabinet
soul.
1.-THE Usage has not come back;
can't tell where he is"
She reiterated these until in disgust
Gonzaga climbed to his horse ant
joined Gerald on the road to the
Creighton home.
The two men were scarce out Of
sight when Winslow dropped shears
and trowel and fastened from the gar.
| den.
On the doorstep he met the octoroon
coming evidently to meet him. She
was first to speak. "You have heard
the news?"
Eyes. 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. 81 don't know
just where she is, Mr.. Winslow, but
I've a pretty good idea that she amt
home"
A sharp pain crossed his face at this,
and she added, reassuringly, with an
air of Importance: But l spicion 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 amt
it good thing? Then nobody can make
me tell" and she smiled with 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 thin bit
of birch bark, handing it to him with
an air of mystery. 'r
1t was covered with lines and crosses
evidently cut with knife, and con-.
veyed no meaning to his mind.
who gave you this?" he demand
ed, with smothered excitement.
"Owatoga-just before he started to
church with you.
But did he offer no explanation?
No key to this riddle?"
Smiling at his Impotence. she said,
deprecatingly: Excuse me if I'm
slow. I'll get to the point directly.
Yes, he partly explained it, though |.
don't exactly understand. He point
ed to this cross and said as near as
i can remember: Here is the church.
Then drawing his knife along this
line; here the forest, 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 way. Then he drew his knife
along here, saying: River, river two
or three times. At this funny little
circle he stopped and said: The swamp
of tamaracks is here, and just beyond.
is the hut-the old man of the woods.
He went over all this again, SOS |
couldn't mistake"
Winslows voice was husky with
eagerness as he asked: Did he men
ton her-Miss Creighton's name?"
mo; but | knew what he meant
when he said the white maid will be
safe with Owatoga.' | asked him a
lot of questions, but he didn't seem
to hear. Only when l asked If was
to show you this piece of bark, he
grunted: Yes, my master must see it.
Then he added, real earnest like: Only
my master must know"
Winslow drew long breath. And
is that all?"
Yes, sir; except that when he gave
me this he looked at me just as cross
as can be, and said, real low: Let
none but the master follow. Can Owa-
toga trust the dark woman His voice
was mighty gruff, and l don't know
what l answered. I'll own up, Mr..
Winslow, your Usage friend scares me
and the octoroon laughed |
unsteady through her brilliant teeth
Winslow stood a moment in deep
study, then: THANK you, Belle, your
memory is as good as your heart"
Then, realizing that to her fidelity
was due the courtesy of discussion, he
said: ut is evident that Owatoga has
taken Lavender - Miss Creighton
away. His motive-well, that we can
only guess. He evidently intends me
to follow with this diagram for guide
Now, IL you will get me some dinner,
shall start at once for the home of
the Creightons."
Are you going to tell them-every-
thing?" she asked, anxiously.