Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-29

themselves In his mind. Obadiah's
vague suggestions. the scene in the
kings room. the night visits OF the
girl to the councillors cabin--and last
of all this incident at the jail flashed
upon him now with another meaning.
with a significance that slowly cooled
the enthusiasm in his veins. He was
sure that ne was near the solution OF
the mysterious events In Hhich he had
become involved. and yet this knowl-
edge brought with Il something OF ap-
prehension. something which made
him anticipate and yet dread the mo
ment when the fugitive ahead would
stop in his flight, and he might ask
him those questions which would at
least relieve him OF his burden Of
doubt. They had travelled q mile
through forest unbroken by path or
road when Nell halted on the edge OF
a little stream that ran into q swamp.
Pointing into the tangled fen with a
confident smile he plunged to his
waist In the water and waded slowly
through the slough into the gloom Of
the densest alder. A few minutes later
he turned In to the shore and the soft
bog gave place to firm ground. Be-.
fore Nathaniel had cleared the stream
he saw his companion drop to his
knees beside a fallen log and when
he came up to him he was unwrapping
a piece Of canvas from about q gun.
With a warning gesture he rose to
his feet and for twenty seconds the
men stood and listened, No sound
came to them but the chlrp Of a star
tied squirrel and the barking Of a dog
in the direction OF 81 James.
They haven't turned out the dogs
} 1T" said Neil. holding n hand against
BIS hcaving chest. IF they do they
cunt reach us through that slough"
ltc leaned his rifle against the log and
again thrusting an arm into the place
where it had been concealed drew
forth a small box.
Powder and ball-and grub" he
laughed. You see | am a sort of rev.
Tomorrow will BE- n martyr" he
sIoie as quietly as though his words
but carried a careless Jest.
"a martyr?" laughed Nathaniel,
looking down into the smiling, sweat
ing face.
Yes, tomorrow | shall Kill Strang."
There was no excitement In Neil's
voice AZ he stcod erect. The smile
did not leave his lips. But In his eyes
there shone that which neither words
nor smiling lips revealed. a reckless.
blazing fury hidden deep in them-so
himself what 1t was. The other saw
the doubt in his face.
Tomorrow ! shall kin Strang," he
repeated. Il shall kill him with this
gun from under the window of his
house through which you saw Mar.
ion"
"Marion!" exclaimed Nathaniel.
MARION" lie leaned forward eager
ly, questioning. Tell me"
"My sister, Captain Plum"
1t seemed to Nathaniel that every
nbcr in his body a stretched to the
u tthIi6 l'olHls ll' ito'iA'u out, uuStu
by what he had heard and with both
hands seized Neil's arm.
"Your sistcr-who came to you at
the whipping post?"
THAT was Marion"
"And-Strang's wife?"
"No!" cried Neil. "No-not his
wife," He drew back from Nathaniel's
touch as If the question had stabbed
him to the heart. The passion that
had s%lumbcrcd In his eyes burst into
savage fame and his face became sud
denly terrible to look upon There
was hatred there such as Nathaniel
had never seen: a %ferocious, pitiless
hatred that sent q ~shuddering thrill
through him az he stood before II
After a moment the clenched fist thai
had risen above Neil's head dropped
to his side. Half apologeticaily he
held out his hand to his companion.
Captain Plum, we've got a lot tc
thank you for. Marion and l." he said
a trcmble Of the passing emotion In
his voice. obadiah told Marion tina
help might come to us through yol
and Marion brought the word to mt
at the Jail last night-after she hat
cen you at the window. The ole
councillor kept his word! You have
saved her."
Saved herr" gasped Nathaniel
From what? How" A hundred ques
tons seemed leaping from his hear
TO his lips.
From Strang. Good God. don't yo'