Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-08

I'm going to see Strang before / come
back. If he's willing to settle for five
thousand, we'll call 1t off. And If he
isn't-why, we'll stand out there
mile and blow ST. James into hell!
And If I don't come back by to-mor-
row at shutdown. Casey, you take COM
SO, Obadiah Price, if there's treach-
cry"
The old man clutched at his hands
with insane flerceness.
There will be no treachery, Nat,
swear to God there will be no treach-
cry! Come. we will go"
Still Captain Plum hesitated.
"Who are you? Whom am to
follow?"
"a member OF our holy Council of
Twelve, Nat, and lord high treasurer
of his majesty, King Strang!"
Before Captain Plum could recover
from the surprise Of this whispered
announcement the little old man had
freed himself and was pattering aw-
fully through the darkness of the
next room. The master of the Ty-
phoon followed close behind him.
Outside the councillor hesitated for a
moment, as if debating which route
| to take, and then with prodigious
wink at Captain Plum and a throatful
Of his ininitable chuckleS, chose the
path down which his startled visitor
of short time before had fed. For
Is minutes this path led between
| thick black walls of forest verdure.
| Obadiah Price kept always few
/ PAGES ahead of his companion and
spoke not word. At the end of
perhaps half mile the path entered
| into large clearing on the farther
| side of which Nathaniel caught the
glimmer of light. They passed close
to this light, which came from the
| window of large square house built
| Of logs, and Captain Plum became
suddenly conscious that the air was
filled with the redolent perfume Of
lilac. With half dozen quick strides
he overlook che councillor and caught
him by the arm.
Il smell lilac!" he exclaimed.
Certainly, SO do l." replied Obadiah
Price. 1--WE have very fine lilacs on
the island
"And l smelled lilac back there"
| the old mans arm, and pointing
thumb over his shoulder. II smelled
'em back there, when"
"Ho, no. ho!" chuckled the councillor
| softly. Il don't doubt it. Nat, l don't
doubt it. She is very fond of lilacs.
She wears the flowers very often"
He pulled himself away and Cap.
| tain Plum could hear his queer
! chuckling for some time after. Soon
they entered the gloom of the woods
| again and little later came out into
another clearing and Nathaniel knew
that it was st. James that lay at his
feet The lights of few fishing
boats were twinkling in the harbor,
| but for the most part the town was
! dark. Here and there window shone
like a spot of phosphorescent yellow
in the dismal gloom and the great
beacon still burned steadily over the
home of the prophet.
"Ah, it is not time" whispered
Obadiah. cit is still too early He
drew his companion out of the path
|
self down on hummock dozen
yards away from it, inviting Nathaniel
by pull of the sleeve to do the
same. There were three of these
hummocks, side by side, and Captain
Plum chose the one nearest the old
man and waited for him to speak
But the councillor did not open his
| lips. Doubled over until his chin
rested almost upon the sharp points of
| his knees, he gazed steadily at the
beacon, and as he looked it shuddered
| and grew dark, like a FREELY that
suddenly closes its wings. With a
quick spring the councillor straight
ened himself and turned to the master
of the Typhoon.
"You have a good nose, Nat" he
| said, "but your ears are not so good.
Sh-h-h-h!" He lifted hand warning
ly and nodded sidewise toward the
path. Captain Plum listened. He
heard low voices and then footsteps
voices that were approaching rapidly,
and were those of women, and foot
steps that were almost running The
old man caught him by the arm and
as the sounds came nearer his grip
frightened.
Don't frighten them, Nat. Get
DOWN.
He crouched until he was only a
part of the shadows of the ground
and following his example Nathaniel
slipped between two of the knobs. A
few yards away the sound Of the
voices ceased and there was hesi-
fancy in the soft tread of the ap-
preaching steps. Slowly, and now in
awesome silence, two figures came
down the path and when they reached
point opposite the hummocks Ma
thaniel could see that they turned
their faces toward them and that for
brief space there was something of
terror in the CLEAN he caught of
their eyes. In a moment they had
passed. Then he heard them running.
They saw mott" Captain Plum ex-
claimed.
Obadiah hoped to his feet and
rubbed his hands with great glee.
What a temptation, Natl" he whis-
pered. What temptation to fright
en- them out of their wits! No, they
didn't see us, Nat-they didn't see US.
The girls are always frightened when
they pass these graves. Some day"