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

served her there was mingled q chiii-
ing doubt as these questions formed
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 now with another meaning,
with a significance that slowly cooled
the enthusiasm in his veins. He was
sure that he was near 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 fight. and he might ask
him those questions which would at
least relieve him of his burden of
doubt. They had travelled a mile
road when Neil halted on the edge of
a little stream that ran into a swamp.
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 unwrapping
| 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"
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 | am a sort of rev.
o%lutionist 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.
Yes, tomorrow I shall kill Strang."
There was no excitement in Neil's
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
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
Va pOAl1C. L GALLEY Out, uIL0u
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. "Nornot his
wife!" He drew back from Nathaniels
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, pitiless
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 l." 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
seen you at the window. The old
councillor kept his word! You have
saved her!"
Saved her." gasped Nathaniel
From what? How" A hundred Ques.
tons seemed leaping from his heart
to his lips.
IRON Strang. Good God. don't vol