Gilpin observer., 1910-12-22
CHAPTER VII.
The Hour of Vengeance.

last echoes OF the gun had rolled
through the forest the girl lay passive
in Nathaniel's arms, SO close that
he could feel her heart beating against
his own and her breath. sweeping his
face. Then there came a pressure
against his breast, gentle resistance
of Marion's half conscious form, and
when she had awakened from her par
tial swoon he was holding her in the
crook of his arm. 1t had all passed
quickly, the girl had rested against
him only so long as he might have
held a dozen breaths and yet there
had been all of lifetime in 1t for
Nathaniel Plum, cycle of joy that
he knew would remain with him for
ever. But there was something bitter
sweet in the thought that she was con-
scious of what he had done, something
of humiliation as well as gladness,
and still not enough of the first to
make him regret that he had kissed
her that he had kissed her mouth and
her eyes. He loved her, and he was
glad that In those passing moments
he had betrayed himself. For the first
time he noticed that her face was
scratched and that the sleeves of her
thin waist were torn to shreds; and
as she drew away from him, steadying
herself with hand on his arm, his
lips were parched of words, and yet
he leaned to her eagerly, everything
that he would have said burning in
the love of his eyes. Still irresolute
in her faintness the girl smiled at
him, and in that smile there was gen.
tie accusation, the sweetness of for
giveness, and measureless gratitude,
and it was yet light enough for him
to see that with these there had come
also flush into her cheeks and a daz-
zling glow into her eyes.
Neil has escaped" she breathed.
And you"
II was going back to you. Marion!"
He spoke the words hardly above a
whisper. The beautiful eyes so close
to him drew his secret from him be-
fore he had thought. Il am going to
take you from the island,"
With his words there came again
that sound of great gun rolling from
the direction Of St. James. With
frightened cry the girl staggered to
her feet, and as she stood swaying un-
steadily, her arms half reached to
him, Nathaniel saw only mortal dread
in the whiteHess of her face.
why didn't you go? Why didn't
you go with Neil?" she moaned. Her
breath was coming in sobbing excite
ment. Your ship is-at-St. James,"
Yes, my ship is at ST. James, Ma
rion!" His voice was tremulous with
triumph, with gladness. with ten
derness which he could not control.
He put an arm half round her waist
to support her trembling form and to
his joy she did not move away from
him. His hand was buried in the
richness of her loose hair. He bent
until his lips touched her silken
| tresses. Neil has told me everything
about you" he added softly. MY
ship is bombarding st. James. and l
am going to take you from the is
land!"
Not until then did Marion free her.
self from his arm and then so gently
that when she stood facing him he felt
no reproof No longer did shame
send flush into his face. He had
spoken his love, though not in words,
and he knew that the girl understood
him. 1t did not occur to him in these
moments that he had known this girl
for only few hours, that until now a
word had never passed between them.
He was conscious only that he had
loved her from the time he saw her
through the kings window, that he
| - al, Ii o.
she knew why he had leaped into the
arena at the whipping-post.
The words she spoke now came like
dash of cold water in his face
"Your ship is not bombarding st.
James. Captain Plum!" she exclaimed
Darkness hid the terror in her face,
but he could hear the tremble of 1t in
her voice. THE Typhoon has been
captured by the Mormons and those
guns are-guns of triumph--and
not" She caught her breath I'm a
convulsive sob II want you to go
l want you to go-with Neil!" she
pleaded.
so Casey is taken!"
lie spoke slowly, as If he had not
heard her last words. For moment
he stood silent, and as silently the
girl stood and watched him. She
guessed the despair that was raging
in his heart, but when he spoke to her
she could detect none of 1t In his
voice.
Casey is fool" he said, uncon.
sciously repeating Obadiah's words
Marion, will you come with me? viii
you leave the island-and Join your
brother?"
The hope that had risen in his heart
was crushed as Marion drew farther
away from him.