The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-05-18

bound, tho prisoners feil Denind Two
OF the armed guards and at COM
mand from the king. given In low
tone to Jeekum, marched through the
corridor and up the short flight OF
steps that led out Of the jail. To Ma
thaniel's establishment there was no
light TO guide them. Candles and
lights had been extinguished. What
words he heard we're spoken In whis-
pers. In the deep shadow Of the prison
wall third guard Joined the two
ahead and like automatons they strobe
through the gloom with slow, meas
ured step, their rifles held with SOL
dierly precision. Nathaniel glanced
over his shoulder and saw three other
white masked faces a dozen feet
away. The king remained behind.
He shuddered and LOOKED at Nell
His companions appearance vas al
most startling. He seemed nsh .
head taller than himself. yet he knew
that he was shorter by an inch or
two: his shoulders we're thrown back.
his chin held high. he kept step with
the guards ahead He was marching
to his death as coolly as though on
parade.
Nathaniers heart beat eScitedly as
they came to where the scrub OF the
forest met the plain. They were ia
hing the path that led to Marion's!
Again he looked at Neil. There was
no change in the fearless attitude OF
Marion's brother. no lowering OF his
head. no faltering In his step. They
passed the graves and entered the
opening In the forest where lay
Marion's home. and as once more the
sweet odor of lilac came to him.
awakening within his soul all those
things that he had tried to stifie that
he might meet death like n man. he
felt himself weakening. until only the
cloth about his mouth restrained the
moaning cry that forced itself to his
lips II he had possessed a life to
give he would have sacrificed IL gladly
then for word with the Mormon
King. last prayer that death might
be melted TO him here, where eternity
would come to him with his glazing
eyes fixed to the end upon the home
of his beloved, and where the sweet
ness of the flower that had become a
part Of Marion herself might soothe
the pain OF his final moment on earth.
His heart leaped with a hope as q
sharp voice from the rear commanded
halt IL was Jeekum. He came up
out OF the darkness from behind the
rear guard. his face still unmasked,
and for a few moments was In whis-
pered consultation with the guards
ahead. Had Strang. in the yirulence
OF that hatred which he concealed so
well. conceived OF this spot to give
added torment to death? It was the
poetry OF vengeance, For the first
time Nell turned toward his compan-
ion. Each read what the other had
guessed. Neil. who was nearest to
the whispering four. turned suddenly
toward them and listened When he
looked az Nathaniel again II was with
a slow negative shake of his head.
Jeekum returned quickly and placed
himself between them. Selling each by
an arm, and the forward guards, pivot
ing to the left. set of at their steady
pace across the clearing. As they en-
tered the denser gloom OF the forest
on the farther side Nathaniel felt the
jailer's fingers tighten about his arm.
then relax-and tighten again. A gen.
tie pressure held him back and the
guards in front gained half a dozen
feet In a low voice Jeekum called
for those behind to fall few PAGES to
the rear
Then came again the mysterious
working OF the mans fingers on Ma
thaniers arm.
Was Jeekum signaling TO him?
He could see Neirs white face still
turned stoically to the front. Evil
IDENTIFY nothing had occurred to arouse
his suspicious II the maneuvering Of
Jeekum's fingers meant anything II
was intended for him alone. Action
had been the mamma of his life. The
possibility Of new adventure. even
in the face of death. thrilled him. He
pressure came again. so hard that 1t
hurt his flesh.
There was no longer a doubt In his
mind. The kings sheriff wanted to
speak to him.
And he was afraid Of the eyes and
ears behind
The fingers we're cautioning him to
be ready--when the opportunity came.
The path widened and through the
thin treetops above their heads the
starlight filtered down upon them. The
leading guards were 20 feet away.
How far behind were the others?
moment more and they plunged
into deep night again. The figures
ahead were mere shadows. Again the
fingers dug into Nathaniel's arm. and
pressing close to the sheriff be bent
down his head
A low. quick Hbisper fell in his ear
Don't give up hope. Marion
Winnsome-"
The sheriff ierked himself erect
without fpishing. Hurried footsteps
had come close to their heels. The
rear guards were so near that they
could have touched them with their
guns. Had some spot OF lesser gloom
ahead betrayed the prisoners bowed
head and Jeekum's white face turned