Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-11-21

Just where she is, Vinslow, but
I've { pretty good idea that she ain't
home. III II +s s. :Sss .s$s: 1t
!; A sharp pain crossed his face at this,
and she added, reassurtngly with m
air of Importance : But I s'picion she's
safe-I reckon she's with Owatoga: ''s. +
F. But you only 'tsuspect?' You only
reckon ?'''f Winslow could not forbear
this interruption. r. :'''# >: -: = i,
well, dom t; exactly know, and ain't
it good thing. Then nobody can make
me tell, "Sand she smiled with q know
ing nod of her handsome head: n
Upon what do you base these sus-
picions?P - :: ~ i ? :. =, - >:. -.
ttMostly, on this was the reply, and
from her pocket she drew a thin bit
of birch bark, handing it to him with
an air of mystery. .. s. ~:
It was covered with lines and crosses
evidently cut with a knife, and con-
yeyed no meaning to his mind. :
''Who gave you, this?" he demand
ed, with smothered excitement. -
"Owatoga-just before he started to
church with YOU ...St !.
"But did: he offer no explanation?
No key to this riddle?" & ..
Smiling at. his impatience, 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 Ills 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
jerlky 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
Winslow's voice was husky with
eagerness as he asked: did he men,
ton her--Miss Creighton's manner"
mo; but / knew what he meant
when he said the white maid will be
safe with Owatoga.' I asked him a
lot of questions, but he didn't seem
to hear. Only when I 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 a long breath. "And
is that all?"
eyes, 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 I don't know
what I answered. I'll own up, Mr..
Winslow, your Usage friend scares me
sometimes and the octoroon laughed
musically through her brilliant teeth
Winslow stood a moment in deep
study, then:i4i Thank you, Belle, your
memory -tsFas good as your heart
Then, realizing that to; her fidelity
was due the courtesy Of discussion, he
said: 1T is evident: that Owatoga has
taken Lavender - Miss Creighton
away. His 'motiye-we1l, that we can
only guess. He evidently intends me
to follow with this diagram for guide.
Now, if you will, get me some dinner.
I shall start at once for the home Of
the Creightons." -.
Are you going to tell them-eyery-
thing?' she asked, anxiously.
mo, I am bound to keep Owatoga's
secret. Harm might come to him if
others-ignorant of his motive--found
him now. But I-of course, must
give a trial, to his unique plan of res
cue'
When, he was leaving the octoroon
vent with him to the door. "You will
be back soon?' If not, we'll have to
send search party after you,' and she
waved her hand to him as he disap-
peared in the avenue of signing Ioplars.