Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-20

was crushed as Marion drew farther
away from him.
''You must go alone" she replied
with powerful effort she steadied
her voice Tell Neil that he has
been condemned to death. To" ~"
that-if he loves me-he will not re-
turn to the island"
sand II"
From the distance she saw his
arms stretched like shadows toward
her.
"And you"
Her voice was low, SO low that he
could hardly hear the words sAe spoke,
but its sweetness thrilled him.
And you--if you love me-will do
this thing for me. Go to Neil. Save
his life for mel"
She had come to him through the
gloom, and in the luster of the eyes
that were turned up to him Nathaniel
saw again the power that swayed his
soul.
you will go?' -
Il will save your brother--if cam"
"You can-you can" she breathed.
In an ecstasy of gratitude she seized
one Of his hands in both Of her own.
"You can save him!"
For you'll will try"
"For me"
She was so close that he could feel
the throbbing of her bosom. Sudden
IL he lifted his free hand and
brushed back the thick hair from her
brow and turned her face until what
dim light there still remained of the
day glowed in the beauty of her eyes.
II will keep him from the island If I
can," he said, looking deep into them,
"and as there is God in heaven
swear that YOU"
"What?" she urged, as he hesitated.
THAT you shall not marry Strang!"
he finished.
A cry welled up in the girls throat.
Was it of gladness? Was it of hope?
She sprang back pace from Nathan
iel and with clenched hands waited
breathiessly, as if she expected him
to say more.
"No-no-you cannot save me from
Strang! Now-you must go!"
She retreated slowly in the direc-
ton of the path. In an instant Ma
thaniel was at her side.
II am going to see you safely back
to st. James," he declared. Then I
will go to your brother"
She barred his way defantly
you cannot go!"
"Why?"
because" He caught the frighten.
ed dutter Of her voice again. Be
cause-they will kill you!"
The low laugh that he breathed in
her hair was more of JOY than fear
II am glad you care-Marion." He
spoke her name with faltering tender.
ness. and led her out into the path
you must co. she still persisted.
with you-yes," he answered.
She surrendered to the determine.
ton in his voice and they moved SLOW
ly along the path, listening for any
sound that might come from ahead of
them. Nathaniel had already formed
his plan of action. From Marion's
words and the voice in which she had
uttered them he knew that it would
be useless for him as it had been for
Nellsto urge her to flee from the is
land. There remained but one thing
for him to do, SO he fell back upon the
scheme which he had proposed "a
| 'Marion's brother He realized now
that he might be compelled to play
the game single-handed unless he
could secure assistance from Obadiah.
His ship and men were In the hands
Of the Mormons; Neil, In his search
for the captured vessel, stood large
chance of missing himthat night, and In
that event Marion's fate would depend
on him alone If he could locate a
small boat on the beach back of Oba.
.diah's: if he could in some way lure
Marion to it He gave an involuntary
shudder at the thought Of using force
upon the girl at his side, at the
thought Of her terror of those first
few moments, her struggles, her
broken confidence. She believed in
him now. She believed that he loved
her. She trusted him. The warm
soft pressure of her hand as 1t chung
to his arm in the blackening gloom OF
the forest was evidence Of that trust.
She looked into his face anxiously, in.
quiringly when they stopped to listen
like a child who was sure of a
stronger spirit at her side. She held
her breath when he held his, she
listened when he listened, her feet fell