The Lamar register., 1911-03-29
MCOURAE
CAPTAIN Plum
D. JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
ILLUSTRATIONS & hllW GkEIINER

huu . a ubucl
shanty-a boat.
Barely had he disappeared when
voice called to him. It was Winn-
some. The girl ran up to him holding
something in her hand. It was a pis-
toll. You may need it," she ex-
claimed. I'VE brought two!"
Nathaniel reached out hesitatingly.
but not to take the weapon. Gently.
as though his touch was about to fall
upon some fragile flower. he drew the
girl to him. took her beautiful face
between his two strong hands and
gazed steadily and silently for o mo
ment into her eyes.
God bless you. little Winnsome!"
he whispered. Il hope that some day
you will-forgive me-"
The girl understood him.
IF have anything to forgive-you
are forgiven"
The pistol dropped upon the sand,
her hands stole to his shoulders.
Il want you to take something to
Marion for me-" she whispered softly.
"This!"
And she kissed him.
Her eyes shone upon him like a
benediction.
you have given me a new life. you
have given Mcneil! My prayers
are with you"
And kissing him again. she slipped
away from under his hands before he
could speak.
And Nathaniel. following her with
his eyes until he could no longer see
her. picked up the pistol and set on
her lips and the prayers OF this girl
whose father he had slain filling him
with something that was more than
strength. more than hope.
He examined the pistol that Winn-
some had given him. There were five
shots In 1t and he smiled joyously as
he saw that It had been loaded by an
experienced hand. It would be easy
enough for him to find Strang
For hours he trod steadily through
the sand. The sun rose above him.
hot and blistering. and the dunes still
stretched out ahead of him. like win
nows and hills and mountains of gilt
tering glass. Gradually the desert be-
came narrower. Far ahead he could
see where the forest came down to
the shore and his heart grew
lighter. Half an hour later he en-
tered the margin of trees. Almost i'm
mediately he found signs Of life. A
tree had been felled and cut into
wood. A short distance beyond he
came suddenly upon q narrow path.
beaten hard by the passing of feet.
and leading toward the lake. He had
meant to rest under the shade OF
these trees. but now he forgot his
fatigue. For a moment he hesitated.
Far back in the forest he heard the
barking Of a dog-but he turned in
the opposite direction. II there was a
boat the path would take him to II.
Through a break in the trees he
caught the green sweep of marsh
rice and his heart beat excitedly with
hope. Where there was rice there
were wild fowl. and surely where
there were wild fowl there would be
a punt or a canoe! In his eagerness
he ran. and where the path ended. the
flags and rice beaten into the mud and
water. he stopped with an exultant
cry. At his feet was canoe. 1t was
wet. as though Just drawn out Of the
water, and freshly used paddle was
lying across the bow. Pausing but to
take a quick and cautious glance
about him he showed the frail craft
into the lake and with a few quiet
strokes buried himself in the rice
grass. When he emerged from 1t he
was half a mile from the shore.
For long time he sat motionless.
looking out over the shimmering sea.
Far to the south and west he could
make out the dim outline of Beaver
island, while over the trail he had
come. mile upon mile. lay the glisten-
ing dunes. Somewhere between the
white desert sand and that distant
coast OF the Mormon kingdom Marion
was making her way back to bondage.
Nathaniel had given up all hope Of
overtaking her now. Long before he
could intercept her she would have
reached the island. When he started
again he padded slowly, and laid out
for himself the plan that he was to
follow. There must be no mistake this
time, no error in judgment. no rash
ness in his daring. He would lie in
hiding until dusk. and then under