Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-06-03

in a mood that augured not we'll for
James Cobb. There was a hard,
malignant look in the eye of Niger
Godfrey that portended evil, and
Cobb knew that he was the unhappy
subject of that ominous look.
Now the author having knowledge
of all the material facts in the case
has no hesitation in putting it down
as his opinion that had James been
alone when Godfrey encountered him
he, James, would have made a hasty
Indignified exit from the cares of
this troublesome world, and entered
at once into the society of such I'M
fortunates as were like-minded with
himself.
He had strong reasons therefore
to thank his lucky stars for the
presence of Cut-Nose, inasmuch as
that warrior was not on friendly
terms with Niger Godfrey, between
whom and himself there was a fued
of long standing So upon reflection
the Niger" after having vented
his spleen in the tongue of his people
turned away with Hugh! hugh!''
and entered his wigwam, where he
was lost to sight, while Jim Cobb and
Cut-Nose learning from him of what
had become of Frances and Jesse,
with many an ugly ordnance, reluc-
family abandoned their enterprise
and turned to other more promising
fields.
Meanwhile, the rescued girl with
her escort pushed on to DEBORAH,
where in due time she arrived, wear
led with the long, arduous journey
but very happy; state of mind full
ly shared by her companions, parti-
oularly by Jesse who was beside him
self with joy that she was so soon
to be restored to her home and
friends.
The evening was quite advanced
when they reached the town, the
darkness enabling them to pass
through the streets unobserved, ex-
cept in Q single instance, where a
4 husband and father who was stagger-
ing homeward under a heavy load OF
! inebriation met them, and made a
commendable effort to straighten UP
and assume a dignified carriage
which, however well-meant was not
success.
"Evenin lady'n genlmensh." vol
unteered this citizen as they silently
PASSED on and were lost in the dark
ness.
Huh. wonner walsh up to? time
all 'spec'ble people shome"
AS soon as the party reached the
i outskirts of the town the minister
left them and rapidly made his way
to the Armstrong home, where he
was heartily welcomed by Mrs. Arm
stong, who at Cnce expressed hel
anxiety for tidings of her lost daugh
ter Mr.. Grayling oFened the way
for the breaking of his good news by
saying
Mrs. Armstrong, we have indeed
the very best of news from Frances
Jesse has discovered the place of hel
concealment and is confident she viii
be rescued and returned to you in q
very short time, indeed | should not
be at all surprised if she was even
now on her way home"
"Oh! Mr.. Grayling, you fill me
with hope, ! believe she is not faI
from us at this moment, l seem tC
feel her presence close at hand. Tel
me, is she here"
"She will be here very soon
think now; she-ah! hear some one
coming up the walk, yes, it is she
with her friends Jesse and Inness."
The door was thrown open and
Frances was instantly folded in her
mothers loving embrace. Mr. Arm
strong who had closed the store fol
the night and was on his way home
when the party arrived, reached the
house just as his daughter entered
| it. Mrs. Badleigh also FASTENED over
as soon as she heard of their arrival
and then together they spent the
greater part Of the night reviewing
the events of the days that Frances
had spent in captivity; the trying
experiences through which she had
passed; the efforts that had been
made for her rescue, together with
the final success which had al
length crowned those efforts; until
Frances, utterly worn out begged
them to permit her to retire and OBJ
tain the sleep she stood so much in
need Of. Finally then, devoutly rem
dering thanks 20 Almighty God for
the happy ending of what had threat
ened to be an nnspeakable trial, the
friends took their departure and the
Armstrong; were left to themselves
CHAPTER XIII.