The citizen., 1911-06-08

Mormon, for venEeance-in nope Oh
finding her. | was rich, and | became
powerful. was made an elder be
cause OF my gold. Then I found"
A moan trembled on the old nan's
lips.
they had forced her to marry
the son OF Mormon"
lie stopped. and for moment his
eyes seemed filling with the glazed
shadows Of death. He reused himself
almost fercely.
But he loved my Jean, Nat--hs
loyed her as I loved ber-and he was
good mani" he whispered shrilly
"Quick-quick-l must tell you-they |
had tried to escape from Missouri and
the Danites killed him--and Joseph |
Smith wanted Jean and at the last
moment she killed herself to save her
honor-as-M -Marion-was going-to-
do and she left two children"
lie coughed and blood feckod hh
lips.
"She ieft-Marion and Neil!"
He sank back, ashen white and stili.
and with a cry Nathaniel turned 70
the lieutenant. The officer ran for
ward with flask In his hand.
Give him this!"
The touch OF liquor to Obadiahs
lips revived him. lie whispered
weakly:
The children, Natl tried to fine
them-and years after-I did-in Nar
VOC. The man and woman who had
killed the father In their own house
had taken them and were raising them
as their own. ! went mad! ven
geance-vengeance- lived for u.
, year after year waited the chit
dren-but II took them AL would b
= lost. ] followed them, watched them
loved them-and they loved me.
!. would wait-wait-until my ven
4 geance would fall like the hand oi
B God, and then ] would free them. and
tell them how beautiful their mother
was When Joseph Smith was killed
q and the split came the old folks fol
lowed Strang-and IL. too
/. He rested moment. breathing
3 heavily.
IL brought my Jean with me ant
l. buried her up there on the hill-th'
middle grave, Nat. the middle grave
Il Marion's mother"
10 Nathaniel pressed the liquor TO th'
d old mans lips again.
My vengeance was at hand wa
I almost ready-when Strang learned
part Of the secret" he continued VIII
an effort. He found the old peopl
were murderers. When Marion woul
not become his wife he told her wha
| they had done lie showed her IN
| evidence. lie threatened them Wit
| death unless Marion became his wif'
| His sheriffs watched them night an
\ day. lie named the hour OF tbel
doom-unless Marion yielded TO hin
| And 10 save them. her supposed pa
| ents--to keep the terrible knowlede
OF their crime from Neil-Marion-
s-going-to- sacrifice herself
| when"
| Again he stopped His breath WI
coming more family.
Il understand" whispered Natha
lei. II understand"
Obadiah's dimming eyes sazed
) him steadily.
"I thought my vengeance wou
come-in time-to save her. Nat.
he Il failed. knew of one other wi
ed and when all seemed LOST took II
a killed the old people-the murdere
Of her father-of my Jean! kn'
In that would destroy Strangs power
Iad In a sudden spasm Of strength
or. lifted his head. His voice came In
hoarse, excited whisper.
=" you won't tell Marion-you wo
tell Marion that killed them"
"No-never."
Obadiah fell back with a reliev
oat sigh. After a moment he added.
ace in a chest in the cabin there Is
mi letter for Marion. II tells her abe
hat her mother-and the gold there
eld for her-and Nell"
the His eyes closed. A shndder pass
am through his form.
TO Marion" he breathed. marion
ties. Nathaniel rose to his feet and !
con to the cabin door.
ne Marion" he called.
: II Binding tears shut out the Wis
tier Of the girl from his eyes. He point
looking from her. and nhe. know
mel what he meant. sped past him TO
cen old councillor.
'ne In the great low room In which Q
diah Price had spent so many We
anu planning his vengeance Captain Pl
y ~ waited.
ven After a time. the girl came back
There was great pain in her W
''Se as she stretched out her arms to
= blindly, sobbing his name.
80 -gone-they're all gone |
- but Nell"
,l. - Nathaniel held Cut his arms.
N' Only Nell cried. only Nc
,,,.., Marion"
And you-you-you--"
Her arms were around his neck
.o,, held her throbbing against his brs
a And you"
She raised her face. glorious In
,.rs love.
- IF you want me still"
a 40 And he whispered
- - "Enr ever and far pyPrt"