The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-01-26

lures. With a shudder he thought of
the terrible power the Mormon king
held not only over his own people but
over the 0entiles of the mainlands as
well. With these mainlanders. he re-
garded Beaver Island as a nest of
pirates and murderers. He knew Of
the depredations Of Strang and his
people among the fishermen and set.
tiers. OF the piratical expeditions OF
his armed boats, OF the dreaded raids
Of his sheriffs. and OF the crimes that
made the women Of the shores tremble
and turn white at the mere mention OF
bis name.
Was II possible that this girl
Captain Plum did not let himself
finish the thought. With a powerful
effort he brought himself back to his
own business on the island, smoked
another pipe. and undressed. He went
to bed with the withered lilacs on the
table close beside him. He fell asleep
with their scent In his nostrils. When
he awoke they we're gone. He started
up In astonishment when he saw what
had taken their place. Obadiah had
visited him while he slept The table
was spread with a white cloth and
upon II was his breakfast. a pot of
coffee still steaming, and the whole
OF cold baked fowl. Near by, upon
chair, was basin Of water, soap
and towel Nathaniel rolled from
his bed with a healthy laugh of pleas
ure. The councillor was at least a
courteous host. and his liking for the
curious old man promptly increased.
There was a sheet Of paper on his
plate upon which Obadiah had scrib-
bled the following words:
my Dear Nat: Make yourself at
home. I will be away today but will
see you again tonight. Don't be sur
prised II somebody makes you a visit"
The somebody" was heavily under
scored and Nathaniel's pulse quick.
ened and sudden flush OF excitement
surged into his face as he read the
meaning Of It. The somebody" was
Strang's wife. There could be other
Interpretation. He went to the trap
and called down for Obadiah but there
was no answer. The councillor had al
ready gone. Quickly eating his break
fast the master of the Typhoon
climbed down the ladder into the
room below. The remains Of the coun-
cilor's breakfast were on a table near
the door. and the door was open.
Through 1t came a glory of sunshine
and the fresh breath OF the forest
laden with the perfume OF wild flow
ers and balsam. A thousand birds
seemed caroling and twittering in the
sunlit soil ude about the cabin. Be-
yond this there was no other sound
or sign Of life. For many minutes
Nathaniel stood in the open, his eyes
on the path along which be knew that
Strangs wife would come-if she
came at all. Suddenly he began to
examine the ground where the girl
had stood the previous night. The
dainty imprints of her feet were plain
ly discernible In the soft earth. Then
he went to the path-and with laugh |
so loud that 1t startled the birds into |
silence he set OF with long strides in |
the direction of st. James. From the |
in that path 1t was quite
evident that Strang's wife was a fire.
luent visitor at Obadiahs.
At the edge of the forest, from
where he could see the log house stu
ated across the opening, Nathaniel
paused. He had made up his mind
hat the girl whom he had seen
through the kings window was In
'ome way associated with It. Obadiah
lad limited as much and she had come
rom there on her way to Strang's.
But as the prophets wives lived In his
'astie at St James this surely could
lot be her home. More than ever he
vas puzzled. As he looked he saw a
lgure suddenly appear from among
no mass Of lilac bushes that almost
opcealed the cabin. An involuntary
OF satisfaction escaped
i'm and he drew back deeper among
he trees. 1t was the councillor who
ad shown himself For a few mo-
nents the old man stood gazing in
he direction Of st. James as II watch
ng for the approach of other persons.
hen he lodged cautiously along the
dse OF the bushes. keeping half with /
their cover. and moved swiftly in {
he opposite direction toward the Gen. {
er OF the island. Nathaniers blood
saped with desire to follow. The !
light before he had guessed that ,
with his gold and his smol. A.,
ering passion was not a man to iso-
tie himself In the heart of the forest. |
Iere-across the open-was evidence
another side Of his life. In that /
reat square-built domicile OF logs. G
creened so perfectly by towering
lac. lived Obadiah's wives. Captain d
lum laughed aloud and beat the bowl I
his pipe on the tree beside him. C
nd the girl lived Thereon came I
ON there to the woodland cabin SO r
that Der feet had beaten o
wellworn path. Had the councillor Il
cd to himf Was the girl he had C
zen through the kings window one a
the seven wives of Stranger was r.
10 the wife Of Obadiah Price? n
The thought was one that thrilled a
IN. II the girl was the councillors b
ife what was the motive OF Oba- Il
abs falsehood7 And II she was I!
Irangs wife why had her feet--and e.
lra aInna x,ish sha awoantlo, % a. I a