The Holly chieftain., 1909-07-16

half stagnant water of tiny bay or
eddy: on the other the swift. gliding
current tugging at the beached canoe,
while the outer end of the ;.raveled
ridge dwindled down TO nothing and
disappeared into the river An Instant
later, when he turned to the clearer
water of the eddy TO fiji the coneepot.
she seized her chance and sped up tile
bar toward the bank. The shingle un-
der foot and her noisy skirts betrayed
her. and with an oath he followed, 1t
was an unequal race, aud he handled
her with rough strong hands when he
overlook her
$50! You lied to me. Well, I'm
through with this fOolishness If
you'll go back on your word Ike this
you'll bawl me OUT before the priest.
SO I'll forget my promise. too. and
you'll be glad of the chance to marry
me-"
let me go" she painted "l'll mar
ry you, Yes. yes, III do it. only dom,
touch me now.'
He led her back to the Ere which
had begun to crackle She was so
weak now that she sank upon the
stones shivering.
"Thats right. Sit down and behave
while ! make something hor 10 drink
You're all in" After a time he con
tinued as he busted himself about his
task: Say. you ought to be glad to
get me- I've got lot of money. or |
will have. and once you're Mrs Run
MON nobody II ever know about this
or think of you as sauaw"
He was still talking when the girl
sprang to her feet and sent IL shriil
cry out over the river. but instantly
he was up and upon her his hand
over her mouth. while she tore at 1t.
screaming the name of Poleon Doret
He Silenced her to smother Sob
bing humble and turned to see. far
out on the bosom Of the great sciled
river, man In II bark canoe The
craft had just swung past the bend
above and WAS still long way off. so
far away, In fact. that Necias signal
had not reached it. for its occupant
held unwaveringly to the swif,est
channel his body rising and falling in
the smooth. uneudng rhythm of a
master boatinan under great haste. his
arms upfung now and then as the
paddle glinted and flashed across to
the opposite side.
Runnion glanced about hurriedly.
then cursed as he saw no place of
concealment The Peterborough stood
out upon the bar conspicuously. as did
he and the girl But the chance re-
mained that this man. whoever he
was, would pass by. for his speed was
great. the river n mile in width ami the
bend sharp. Neca had cried Poleon's
name. but her companion saw no re-
semblance to the Frenrhmnn in this
strange looking voyager In fact. he
could not quite make out what was
peculiar about the man-perhaps his
eyes were not rs sharp as hers--and
then he saw that the boatuan was
naked to the waist. BY now he was
drawing opposite them with the speed
of a hound
The girl. gagged and held by her
captors hands. struggled and meaned
despairngly. and, crouehing back of
the boat. they might hnve escaped dis
covery In the gray morning iighi had
1t not been for the teltale tire Il tiny
cracking blaze no larger than mans
hat 1t betrayed them The dan ing
craft npoD which their eyes were
fixed whipped about, almost lelrinc
from the water at one stroke. then
came toward them. now nothing but Il
narrow thing, half again the width II
mans body The current carried it
down abreast of them. then past. and
Runnion rose, releasing the girl who
cried out with MI her might to the
boatman He made no sound In reply
but drove his canoe sforeward with
quicker strokes 1t was evident he
would effect his landing near the lower
end of the spit. for now he, was with
IN hearing distance and driving closer
every instant
Necia heard the gambler CALI
"Sheer off. Doret! You can't land
here.'
She saw gun in Runnions hand
and Il terrible sickening fear swept
over her, for he was slowly walking
down the spit, Keeping abreast of the
canoe as ii drifted.
keep away or III fire." threatened
Runnion again. and she screamed:
"Don't try it, roleon He'll kill your