The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-01-25
CHAPTER vII.-contInued.

A shudder ran through the coun-
cilor's frame. as II the voice had start
led him. his arms and body stiffened
and slowly he lifted his head. Ma
thaniel tried to stifis the cry on his
lips. tried to smile-to speak. but the
terrible face that stared up into his
own held him silent, motionless. He
had heard the voice of madness. now
he looked upon madness in the eyes
that glared at him. In them was no
sign of recognitios, no passing flash
Of sanity. The white face was lined
with purplish veins. the mouth was
distorted and the lips bleeding. In
voluntarily he stepped back to the
end Of the table.
At his movement the councillor
stretched out his arms with a sobbing
moan.
"Nat-Nat-don't go"
He fell again upon his face. clutch
ing the table in q sudden convulsion.
II the next room Nathaniel had no
uced a pail OF water and he brought
this and wet the old mans head. For
q long time Obadiah did not move.
and when he did It was to reach out
with cropping hand to find Nathaniel.
A change had come Into his face when
he lifted 1t again. the mad fire had
partly burned itself out of his eyes.
the old chuckling laugh came from
between his lips.
"A little weakness. Nat-a little
weakness" he gasped family. Il have
It now and then. acknowledged
excitement" He Strengthened him
self for a moment and stood. swaying
free from the table. then collapsed
into a chair. his head dropping upon
his breast
Without arousing him from the stu
por into which he had fallen. Ma
thaniel again concealed himself in
the shadows outside the cabin where
he could better guard himself against
the possible approach of Mormon Wis
itors. But he did not remain long.
He struck q match and saw that It
was nearly IL and a sudden resolu-
ton turned him back to the cabin
door. He believed that Obadiah would
not easily arouse himself from the
strange stupor into which he had fall
len. Meanwhile he would find food
and then conceal himself near the
path to intercept Marion.
A. he mounted the step he heard
for the second time since landing
upon the island the solemn tolling of
the great bell at St. James. and as he
paused for an instant to listen, peal
upon peal followed the FIRST until its
brazen thunder rolled in one long
the Mormon kingdom. There came a
shrill cry at his back and he whirled
about to see the councillor standing
in the center of the big room, his arms
outstretched, his face lifted as It had
been raised in prayer at the tolling OF
the same bell the night before-but
this time 1t was not prayer that fell
from his lips.
Nat, ye have returned In the hour
of vengeancei The hand of God IL
descending upon the Mormon king
dom!"
His words came in . gasping. but
triumphant cry.
"And tomorrow He
stepped forward. his voice grooming a
wild Joy. -I-shall-be-
kingi"
As he spoke the cabin trembled, q
tremor passed under them. and the
toiiing of the bell was lost In a sudden
tumult that came like the bursting
crash Of low thunder.
What is tit" cried Nathaniel He
leaped into the room and caught Oba-
diah by the arm. what is lit"
The hand of God!" whispered the
old man again. 'Nat-Nat-" 1t was
his old self that stood grimacing and
twisting his hands before Nathaniel
now. "Nat-a thousand armed men
are on the coast! The Lamanites Of
the mainland are descending upon the
Mormon kingdom as the hosts of Is
rael upon Canaani Strang is doomed
doom d-doomed- tomorrow I
shall be kingI" His voice rose In Q
wailing shrek. He darted to the door
and his cackling laugh rang with the
old madness as he pointed into the
north where a lurid glow had mounted
high into the sky.
The signal fire-the bell!" he CUR
gled chokingly They are calling the
Mormons to arms-but 1t Is too late
too late! Ho. no. 1t is too late. Nat
too Iate!" He staggered back. grip
ping his throat, and fell upon the
door Too late-too late" he moansd.