Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-11
CHAPTER III.
The Warning.

come and gone the significance Of his
new situation flashed upon Captain
Plum as he stood under the kings
window. His plans had changed since
leaving ship but now he realized that
they had become hopelessly involved.
He had intended that Obadiah should
show him where Strang was to be
found, and that later. when ostensibly
returning to his vessel he would visit
the prophet in his home. Whatever
the interview brought forth he would
still be In position to deliver the
councillors package. Even an hours
interfere with the fulfilment of his
oath. But those few minutes at the
kings window had been fatal to the
scheme he had built. The girl had
seen him. She had not betrayed his
presence. She had called to him with
her eyes-he would have staked his
life on that What did, it all mean?
He turned to Obadiah. The old man
was grimacing and twisting his
hands nervously. He seemed half
afraid, cringfng, as If fearing blow.
The sight of him set Nathaniel's blood
aflre. His white face seemed to verify
the terrible thought that had leaped
into his brain. Suddenly he heard a
faint cry-a womans voice-and in an
instant he was back at the window.
The girl had risen to her feet and
stood facing him. This time. as her
eyes met his own, he saw in them a
flashing warning, and he obeyed 1t as
If she had spoken to him. AS he
dropped silently back to the ground
the councillor came close to his side.
That's enough for tonight, Nat" "
he whispered.
He made as If to slip away but Ma
thaniel detained him with an emphat-
ic hand.
Not yet, dad! I'd like to have a
word with-this-"
with Strang's wife," chuckled Oba-
diah. "Ho. no. no, Nat, you're ras-
cali" The old mans face was mapped
with wrinkles, his eyes glowed with
joyous appreciation. "You shall, Nat,
you shall! You love a pretty face.
Ell? You shall meet Mrs. Strang, Nat,
and you shall make love to her If you
wish. I swear that. too. But not to-
night, Nat-not tonight"
He stood a pace away and rubbed
his hands.
There will be no chance tonight,
Nat-but tomorrow night, or the next.
o, I promise you shall meet her, and
make love to her, Nat! Ho, If Strang
knew, IL Strang only knew"
There was, something so fiendishly
g1oating n the councillors attitude. In
his face, in the hot glow of his eyes,
that for moment Nathaniels invol-
untary liking for the little old man
passion, the triumph of the man, con-
WINGED him where words had failed.
The girl was Strang's wife. His last
doubt was dispelled. And because she
was Strang's wife Obadiah hated the
Mormon prophet. The councillor had
spoken with fateful assurance-that
he should meet her. that he should
make love to her. 1t was an asslr-
ance that made him shudder. AS he
followed in silence up out Of the
gloom of the town he strove, but In
vain, to find whether sin had lurked
in the sweet face that had appealed
to him in its misery-whether there
had been a flash Of something besides
terror, besides prayerful entreaty, in
tho lovely eyes that had met his own.
Obadiah spoke no word to break in
on his thoughts. Now and then the
old mans insane chucklings foated
softly to Nathaniels ears, and when
at last they came to the cabin in the
forest he broke into low laugh that
echoed weirdly in the great black
room which they entered. He lighted
another candle and approached a lad
der which led through trap in the
ceiling. Without a word he mounted
this ladder, and Nathaniel followed
him, finding himself moment later in
q small low, room furnished with a
bed. The councillor placed his candle
on q table close beside it and rubbed
his hands until 1t seemed they must
burn.
"You will stay-eh. Nat?" he cried.
bobbing his head. Yes. you will stay,
and you will give me back the pack
age for day or two" He retreated
to the trap and slid down it as quick
ly as rat Pleasant dreams to you,
Nat, and-O. wait minute!" Cap
tain Plum could hear him pattering
quickly over the floor below. In a
moment he was back, thrusting his
white grimacing face through the
trap and tossed something upon the
bed. "she left them last night, Nat.
Pleasant dreams, pleasant dreams"
and he was gone.
Nathaniel turned to the bed and
picked up faded bunch Of lilacs.
Then he sat down, loaded his pipe,
and smoked until he could hardly see
the walls of his little room. From the
moment Of his landing on the island
he turned the events Of the day over
in his mind. Yet when he arrived at
the end Of them he was no less mys-
titled than when he began. Who was
Obadiah Price? Who was the girl
that fate had so mysteriously asso-
ciated with his movements thus far?
What was the plot in which he had
accidentally become involved? With
.:rcless tenacity he hung to these
questions for hours. That there wAs
a plot OF some kind he had not the
) least doubt. The councillors strange
actions, the oath. the package and
above all the scene In the kings house
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