The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-08-25


The figure of the girl was h>r dis
cernihle, flashing in and out among
the Shruhbcry in i tighr that Hori,t,d
pursuit. Morse rc~uIut4 lIi~ r.~cltolial
diversion, hut Il" smiled onre ami
again as the Zesr and odri Y If this
chance meeting occurred t. his mind.
He caught himself Vhi~iiing low and
melodioU>Iy Il NaSrant strain of The
Wild siren like song That had be-
WiIdercd his fancy
Il wonder who Sh" can be, and
where She acquired that superb voice."
ruminated Morse. "One thing sure
She is u revelation of beauty and
grace"
The echoes of the riOtouS melody
/ We're fresh in his mind the next day.
Almost at the same spot where h had
/ met with his adventure the day pre-
| vious, the following afternoon Morse
/ came across two men, bearded, rough
looking. keen eyed, evidently noun
taneerS, guns across their shoulders,
evasion and suspicion in their bearing.
Morse tried 10 engage them in Il
casual conversation. Ii WAS a diff
cult task. Then he driftcd into in
| quirles as to the girl. She was Idalia
that was all, lived with her uncle
Morse expressed "A vast interest in the
superb voice of this same Idala. The
men eyed him with certain aversion
and went their way.
Every day for Il week Morse haunt
ed the lonely woodland stretch hop
ing once again to come across the fair
nymph who had so attracted him. One
afternoon. hot and wearied, he flung
himself under the grateful shade Of a
clustered nook to slumber, and awOke
10 hear voices near him.
"The fellow doesn't seem to be in
evidence today" sounded first in gruff
tones.
IF he is, 1t won't do much good.
The old man has locked the girl up
and threatened all sorts of things, but
she simply won't lure him to the old
hut by singing that song"
"Why not pounce on him anyway
and carry him there by force?"' came
hold him till he pays the ransom
money"
In flash Morse comprehended the
situation. There was plot to capture
/ him and hold him for ransom. AS the
owners of the voices, two sturdy noun
taineerS, moved on. he followed them
The trail led past the hut he had been
trying to locate for many days past.
He waited until they had gone by it.
Then he entered boldly. An old man
Morse confronted him.
I've come TO put myself in your
hands, or arrange for what money
you want" spoke Morse plainly, only,
Your niece must not suffer on my ac-
count"
you're plucky one and a real gem
tleman," responded old Abel Reeves.
The boys think you're a revenue off
Ger. and you don't get away. now
you're here" and he drew a formid-
able looking SiX-shooter. What
brought you around these diggings,
anyhow"
Because the town is the one where
my father once lived" replied Morse.
"He was Judge Warren Morse"
In an instant the old mans manner
changed. His eyes glOwed. He threw
down his weapons. His voice broke.
"Son." he said, almost affectiOnate-
ly, "if you are kin of the man who
saved me from TIE gallows by a furi-
Gus mob ten years ago, there's moth
ing here too good for you. Go, you
are free. if that you choose. Stay, If
you will, as an hOnored guest"
"And the girl?" pressed Morse urg-
ingly.
I'm ashamed of the trap I set for
you, but we're poor, ignorant folks
here, and pretty wicked" bluntly con-
fessed old Reeves. "Not Idalia,
though. I'm sorry I've treated her
harshly."
One day month later Idalia entered
the hut to find Morse and her father
engaged in serious conversation.
"Idalia," spoke the latter, "Mr
Morse has told me q story. It's about
gal he loves. That's you. He wants
to marry you. Speak your mind, my
child. I'll miss you. but you'll be hap
Ply. Do you want this MANI
"Oh, uncle" fiuttered Idalia, bury
ing her flushing face in both hands.