Gilpin observer., 1911-01-05
CHAPTER VIII.
The Six Castle Chambers.

In an instant Nathaniel was upon
his knees beside the PROSTATE form
of the old councillor.
Obadiah's eyes were open but un
seeing; his face was blanched to the
whiteness of paper; an almost imper
ceptible movement of his chest
showed that he still breathed. Ma.
thaniel lifted one of the limp hands
his heart Tenderly he lifted the old
man and carried him to the cot at
the end Of the room. He loosened
his clothes, tore off the low collar
about his throat, and felt with his
hand to measure the faint beating of
life in the councillors breast. For
few moments it seemed to grow faint
er and fainter, and a choking lump
rose in his throat as he watched the
pallor of death fixing itself on the
councillors shriveled face. What
strange chord of sympathy was 1t that
bound him to this old man? Was 1t
the same mysterious influence that
had attracted Marion to him? He
dropped upon his knees and called
the girls name softly but 1t awakened
no response in the sightless eyes. no
tremor in the parted, unquivering
lips. Very slowly as the minutes
passed there came a reaction. The
pulsations of the weakened heart be-
came little stronger, he could catch
family the sound of breath coming
from between the old mans lips.
With gasp of relief Nathaniel rose
-. Ill thx H.,
the red glare in the northern sky and
heard the great bell at ST. James ring
a wilder and more excited alarm For
a few moments he stood in silent
listening inaction. his nerves tingling
with strange sensation of impending
peril. Obadiah's madness. the mys-
terious trembling of the earth beneath
his feet, the volcano of fire, the clang
ing of the bell and the councillors
insane rejoicing had all come so sud
denly that he was dazed What great
calamity. what fearful vengeance. was
about to come upon the Mormon king
dom? Was it possible that the fish
ermen and settlers of the mainland
had risen. as Obadiah had said and
were already at hand to destroy Strang
and his people? The thought spurred
him to the door. The blood rushed
like fire through his veins. What
would 1t mean to Marion-to Neil?
In his excitement he started down
the path that led to the lilac hidden
home beyond the forest Then he
thought again of Obadiah and his last
choking utterance of Marion's name.
He had tried to speak of her. even
with that death-like rattling of the
breath in his throat; and the memory
of the old councillors frantic struggle
for words brought Nathaniel quickly
back to the cabin. He bent over Oba-
diah's shriveled form and spoke the
girls name again and again in his
ears. There came no response, no
quiver of life to show that the old
man was conscious of his presence.
AS he worked over him, bathing his
face and chest in cool water, the feel
ing became strong in him that he was
fighting death in this gloomy room for
Marion's sake. 1t was like the whis-
pering of an invisible spirit In his
ears-something more than PRESENT.
ment, something that made his own
heart grow faint when death seemed
winning in the struggle. His watch
fulness was acute, intense, desperate.
When, after a time, he Strengthened
himself again. rewarded by Obadiah's
more regular breathing, the sweat
stood in beads upon his face. He knew
that he had triumphed. Obadiah
would live, and Marion
He placed his mouth close to the
councillors ear.
Tell me about Marion" he said
again. "Marion-Marion-M
He waited, stilling his own breath
to catch the sound of whisper. None
came. AS he bent over him he saw
through the open door that the red
glare of fire had faded to burnt
out glow in the sky. In the deep 81.
lence the sullen beating of the bell
seemed nearer, and he could hear the
excited barking of dogs in St. James.
Slowly the hope that Obadiah might
speak to him died away and he re.
turned to the door. 1t still lacked an
hour of midnight, when Marion had
promised to come to him. He was
wildly impatient and to his impatience
was added the fear that had filled him
as he hovered over Obadiah. name