Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-30
CHAPTER XII.
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WOUNDED animal across the sand.
She started toward him but Nathan
lei stopped her.
"She is the kings-wife-,'
His throat was swollen SO that he
could hardly speak.
mo. They are to be married to-
night oh, thought she was going to
stay!" She tore herself away from
him to 60 to Neil, who had fallen upon
his face exhausted, a dozen yards
away.
: In the wet sand. where the incom-
ing waves Tapped his hands and feet,
Nathaniel sank down, his eyes staring
ont into the shimmering distance
where Marion had gone. His brain
was ina daze. and he wondered il he
had been. stricken by some strange
madness-if this all was but some
passing phantasm that would soon
leave him again to his misery and his
despair. But the dash of the cold wa
ter against him cleared away his
doubt. Marion had come to him. She
had saved him from death. And now
she was gone.
And she was not the kings wife!
He staggered to his feet again and
plunged into the lake until the water
reached to his waist, calling her name.
entreating her in weak. half choked
cries to. come back to him. The wa
ter soaked through to his hot, numb
body, restoring his reason and
strength. and he buried his face in it
and drank like one who had been near
to Neil. Winnsome was holding his
head in her arms.
He dropped upon his knees beside
them and saw that life was returning
full and strong In Neil's face.
you will be able to walk in few
minutes" he said. you and VIM
some must leave here. We are on the
mainland and If you follow the shore
northward you will come to the settle
ments. 1 am going back for Marion"
Neil made an effort to follow him as
he rose to his feet.
"Nat-Nat-wait-"
Winnsome held him back. fright
ened. tightening her arms about him.
you must 60 with W1nnsope,"
urged Nathaniel, Selling the hand that
Neil stretched up to him. "You must
take her TO the first settlement up the
coast. will come back to you with
Marion"
He spoke confidently. as q man who
sees his way open clearly before him.
and yet as he turned. half running. to
forest he knew that he was beginning
. blind fight against:fate. II he could
md . hunters cabin. hshermAn's
shanty-a boat.
Barely had he disappeared when .
voice called to him. It was VIM.
some. The girl ran up to him holding
something'in her: hand. It was apis
tol. "You may need IT." she ex.
claimed. I'VE brought two!"
Nathaniel reached out hesitatingly,
but not to take the weapon. Gently.
rs though his touch was about to fall
upon some fragile flower, he drew the
girl to him, took her beautiful face
bskween his two strong hands and
gazed steadily ard silently for . mo-
msnt into her eyes.
God bless you, little winnsome!"
he whispered. II hope that some day
Sou will-forgive me-"
The girl understood him.
(! IT have anything to forg1ve-you
IRE forgiven"
The pistol dropped upon the sand,
her hands stole to his shoulders.
II want you to take something to
Marion for me-" she whispered softly.
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And. She kissed him. ssssT' /,
|, Her eyes shone upon hin, Ike
benediction.
! you have given me new life, you
nave given Mcneil! My prayers
are with you"
|. And kissing him again, she slipped
AWAY from under his hands before he
could speak.
I And Nathaniel, following her with
his eyes until he could no longer see
her. picked up the pistol and set of
again toward the forest, the touch Of
her lips and the prayers of this girl
whose father he had slain filling him
with something that was more than
strength. more than hope Life had
been given to him again. strong, fight
Ing lie. and with it and Winnsome's
words there returned his old conf
dence. his old daring. There was
everything, for him to win now. His
doubts and his fears had been swept
sway. Marion was not dead, she was
not the kings wife-and it was not of
smother that he had accepted proof Of
her love for him, for he had felt the
pressure Of her arms about his neck
and the warmth Of her lips upon his
face. He had until highland the
dawn was just beginning to break.
Ten or fifteen miles to the north there
were settlements, and between there
were scores of settlers homes and
0shermen's shanties. Surely within
IN hour or two he would find boat.
He turned where the edge Of the
Forest came down to meet the white
Water-run of the sea, and set of at a
slow, steady trot into tho north. II
he could reach boat soon he might
Overtake Marion In midlake. The
thought thrilled him, and urged him to
greater speed As the stars faded
away in the dawn he saw the dark
Barrier Of tho forest drifting away.
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