The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1911-03-10

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 nov with another meaning,
with a significance that slowly cooled
the enthusiasm in his veins. He was
sure that he was neal the solution of
the mysterious events in which he had
become involved, and yet this knowl-
edge brought with it 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 a mile
! through forest unbroken by path or
road when Neil halted On the edge of
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 unwrappirg
a piece of canvas from about a 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 chirp Of a star.
tied squirrel and the barking of a dog
in the direction of st. James.
They haven't turned out the dogs
yet" said Neil. holding a hand against
his heaving chest. IF they do they
can't reach us through that slough"
He 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 l am a sort of rev.
olutionist and have my hiding places.
Tomorrow will be a martyr" He
spoke as quietly as though his words
but carried a careless jest.
"a martyr?" laughed Nathaniel,
looking down into the smiling, sweat
ing face.
Eyes, tomorrow l shall kill Strang."
There was no excitement in NeilS
voice as he stood 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
deep that Nathaniel stared to assure
himself what it was. The other saw
the doubt in his face.
Tomorrow l shall kill 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-" He leaned forward eager
ly, questioning. Tell me-"
my sister, Captain Plum"
1t seemed to Nathaniel that every
fiber in his body was stretched to the
breaking point. He reached out, dazed
by what he had heard and with both
hands seized Neil's arm.
Your sister-who came to you at
the whipping post?"
THAT was Marion"
"And-Strang's wife,"
mol" 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 slumbered in his eyes burst into
savage flame and his face became sud
denly terrible to look upon. There
was hatred there such as Nathaniel
had never seen; a %ferocious, pitiiess
hatred that sent a %shuddering thrill
through him as he stood before it.
After a moment the clenched fist that
had risen above Neils head dropped
to his side. Half alphabetically he
held out his hand to his companion.
Captain Plum, we've got a lot to
thank you for, Marion and IT, he said,
a tremble of the passing emotion in
his voice. obadiah told Marion that
help might come to us through you
and Marion brought the word to me
at the Jail last ~night-after she had
councillor kept his word! You have
saved herr"
Saved herr" gasped Nathaniel.
From what? How" A hundred Ques-
tons seemed leaping from his heart
to his lips.
From Strang. Good God, don't you
understand? l tell you that l am going
to kill Strangi"