Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-14
CHAPTER ~.
The Whipping.

The Whipping.
Scarce had the words fallen from hi!
lips when there sounded slow. heavy
step on the stair outside. The young
girl snatched her hand free ane
| caught Nathaniel by the wrist.
1T is the king" she whispered ex
1 citedly. cit is the king! Quick-yo,
I still have time! You must go-yor
/ must 60"
She strove to pull him across the
room.
"There-through that door!" she
urged.
| The slowly ascending steps were
! half way up the stairs. Nathaniel hes
| itated. He knew that moment be-
| fore there had passed through that
| door one who carried with her the
odor of lilac and his heart ieaped to
| its own conclusion who that person
was. He had heard the rustic of the
girls skirt He had seen the last
inch of the door close as Strangs wife
pulled it after her. And now he was
tmplored to follow! He sprang for
ward as the heavy steps neared the
landing. His hand was upon the latch
when he paused. Then he turned
| and bent his head close down to the
girl
mo, I won't do it, my DEAR" he
whispered. Just now it might make
trouble for-her."
He lifted his eyes and saw a man
looking at him from the doorway. He
needed no further proof to assure him
that this was Strang, the king Of the
Mormons, for the Beaver island
prophet was painted well in that re-
gion which knew the grip and terror
OF his power He was a massive man,
with the slow slumbering strength of
. beast. He was not. much under
nfty; but his thick beald. reddish and
crinkling, his shaggy hair, and the full
fed ruddiness of his face, with it's
foundation OF heavy jaw, gave him a
In his eyes, set deep and so light that
they shone like pale blue glass, the
staring assurance that is frequently
born of power. In his hand he car
ried huge metal-knobbed stick.
In an instant Nathaniel had recov-
cred himself. He advanced a step,
bowling coolly.
II am Captain Plum, Of the sloop
Typhoon." he said. Il called at your
home q short time ago and was d.
rected to your Office. AS stranger
on the island did not know that you
had an Office or l would have come
here first"
"Ah!"
+ The king drew his right foot back
half pace and bowed SO low that
Nathaniel saw only the crown of his
hat. When he raised his head the
aggressive stare had gone out Of his
eyes and welcoming smile lighted
up his face as he advanced with ex-
tended hand.
II am glad to see you. Captain
Plum"
His voice was deep and rich, filled
with that wonderful vibratory power
which seems to strike and attune the
hidden chords of ones soul. The mans
appearance had not prepossessed Ma
thaniel, but At the sound of his voice
he recognized that which had made
him the prophet of men. AS the warm
hand of the king clasped his own
Captain Plum knew that he was in the
presence of a master of human desti-
MES, q man whose ponderous red
visaged body was simply the crude
instrument through which spoke the
marvellous spirit that had enslaved
thousands to him, that had enthralled
q state legislature and that had hyp-
Noticed federal jury into giving him
smothered him in crime. He felt him
self sinking in the presence of this
man aud struggled nercely to regain
himself. He withdrew his hand and
Strengthened himself like soldier.
II have come to you with a griev-
ance. Mr.. strang." he began. "A
grievance which I feel sure you will
do your best to right. Perhaps you
are aware that some little time ago
about two weeks back-your people
boarded my ship in force and robbed
me OF several thousand dollars worth
Of merchandise"
Strang had drawn step back.
Aware of it!" he exclaimed in a
voice that shook the room. Aware
Of it," The red Of his face turned
purple and he clenched his free hand
In sudden passion. Aware of it," He
repeated the words, this time so gent
" that Nathaniel could scarcely hear
them, and tapped his heavy stick upon
the floor.
mo, Captain Plum, was not aware
Of it. II l had been" He shrugged his
| OF E1H