Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-02-07

When they were alone she shut tAs
ioor and turned to him. II 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 I 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, I don't exactly know, and amt
it 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 birch bark, handing it to him with
an air of mystery.
1t was covered with lines and crosses
evidently cut with a knife, and IN
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 kew tn this riddle?"
Smiling at his impotence, she said,
deprecasingly: Excuse me if I'm
slow. I'll get to the point directly.
Yes, he partly explained 1t, though l
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"
Winslow's voice was husky with
eagerness as he asked: did he men
ton her-Miss Creighton's manner"
"No; but l knew what he meant
when he said the white maid will be
safe with Owatoga.' l asked him q
lot of questions, but he didn't seem
to hear. Only when I asked If I 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?"
"Yes, sir; except that when he gave
me this he looked at me just as cross
as can be, and said, zeal low: Lei
none but the master follow. Can Owa
toga trust the dark woman?' His vote.
was mighty gruff, and l don't know
what / answered. I'll own up, Mr.
Winslow, your Usage friend scares me
sometimes" and the octoroon laughed
unsteady through her brilliant teeth
Winslow stood a moment in deer
study, then: "Thank you, Belle, YOU
memory is as good as your heart"
Then, realizing that to her fidelity
was due the courtesy Of discussion, ht
said: at is evident that Owatoga hal
taken Lavender Miss Creighton
away. His motive-well, that we car
only guess. He evidently intends MT
to follow with this diagram for guide
Now, if you will get me some dinner
l shall start at once for the home O
the Creightons."
care you going to tell them-every'
thing?" she asked, anxiously.
mo, l am bound to keep Owatoga's
secret. Harm might come to him i
others-ignorant of his motive-fount
him now. But I-of course, I mus
give a trial to his unique plan of res
cue"
When he was leaving the octoroo1
went with him to the door. "You will
be back soon? Ii not, we'll have Il
send a search party after you" and sh'
waved her hand to him as he disap
peared in the avenu of signing poplars