The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1910-12-28
(cHAPTER v-contInued.)

.
CHAPTER v-contInued.)
4 am beginning to understands
httle." he said. obadiah had planned
that should meet Marion. but was
= fool and spoiled his scheme. II I
had done a. he told me I should have
seen her this morning.
In = few words he reviewed the
events Of the preceding evening and
Of that morning-of his coming to the
island. his meeting with Obadiah. md
OF the singular way in which he had
become Interested In Marion. He
omitted the oaths but told Of winn-
some's warning and Of his interview
with the Mormon king. When he
spoke OF the girl as he had seen her
through the kings window. and of her
appealing face turned toward him at
the jail. his voice trembled with an
excitement that deepened the flush In
Neil's cheeks.
Captain Plum, I thank God that
you like Marion" he said simply. AFT
er I kill Strang will you help herr
Yes"
You are willing to risk
MY life-my men-my ship!-
Nathaniel spoke like one to whom
there had been suddenly opened the
portals to a great Joy. He sprang to
his feet and stood before Neil, his
whole being throbbiny with the emo
lions which had been awakened within
him.
Good God. why don't you tell me
what her peril Isl" he cried. no longer
restraining himself. why are you
going to kill Suangf Has he-has he
=" His face flushed with the ques-
ton which he dared not finish.
"No-not that!" interrupted Neil.
He has never laid hand on Marion.
She hates him a. she hates the snakes
in this swamp. And yet-next Sunday
she Is to become his seventh wife!"
Nathaniel started a. II he had been
threatened by q blow.
You mean-he 10 forcing her into
his harem!" he asked.
mo. he can not do thati- exclaimed
Nell. the hatred bursting out anew
In his face. He can not force her
into marrying him. and yet" He
flung his arms above his head In sud
den passionate despair. As there 10 .
God In heaven I would give 10 years
OF my life for the secret Of the
prophets power over Marion!- hs
groaned. Three months ago her ha-
tired Of him vas terrible. She loathed
the sight Of him. l have seen her
SILVER at the sound Of his voice. When
he asked her to become his wife she
refused him In words that I had be-
lieved NO person In the kingdom would
have dared to use. Then-less than
. month ago-ths change came. and
one day she told me that she had
made up her mind to become Strang's
wife. From that day her heart was
broken. I was dumbfounded. I ragged
and cursed and even threatened Once
] accused her Of . shameful thing and
though I impiored her forgiveness q
thousand times know that she weeps
over my brutal words still. But moth
ing could change her. On my knees
! have pleaded with her. and once she
fung her arms round my shoulders
and said, Nell. can not tell you Why
! am marrying Strang. But I must
went to Strang and demanded an ex-
PLANTATION: told him that my sister
hated him. that the sight Of his face
and the sound Of his voice filled her
with adherence. but he only laughed
at mo and asked me why objected to
becoming the brother-in-law Of
prophet Day by day have seen
Marion's soul dying within her. Some
terrible secret Ia gnawing at her
heart. robbing her Of the very life
which a few weeks ago made her the
most beautiful thing on this island:
some dreadful influence il shadowing
her every step. and an the day draws
near when she IL to Join the kings
harem I see in her eyec at times a
look that frightens me. There is only
one salvation. Tomorrow I shall kill
Strangi"
And then?"
Neil shrugged his shoulders.
Il will shoot him through the alb
domen SO that he will live to tell his
wives who did the deed. After that
] will try to make my escape to the
mainland"
And Marion"
"Will not marry Strang! Isn't that
plainr'
you have guessed nothing-no
cause for the prophets power over
your sister," asked Nathaniel.
Absolutely. And yet that influence
is such that at times the thought Of
1t freezes the blood in my veins. 1t
is so great that Strang did not hesi-
tate to throw me into jail on the pre-
text that had threatened his life.
Marion impIored him to spare me the
disgrace OF a public whipping and he
replied by reading to her the COM