The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-05-09

The figure Of the girl was lust dis
cernible, flashing in and out among
the shrubbery In flight that derided
pursuit. Morse resumed his piscatorial
diversion. but he smiled once and
again as the zest and oddity of this
chance meeting occurred to his mind.
He caught himself whistling low and
melodiously vagrant strain Of the
wild siren like song that had be.
wildered his fancy.
81 wonder who she can be, and
where she acquired that superb voice?"
ruminated Morse. zone thing sure
she is revelation of beauty and
grace"
The, echoes Of the riotous melody
were fresh In his mind the next day.
Almost at the same spot where he had
met with his adventure the day pre-
vious, the following afternoon Morse
came across two men, bearded, rough
looking, keen eyed, evidently noun
taineers, guns across their shoulders,
evasion and suspicion in their bearing.
Morse tried to engage them In a
casual conversation. 1t was diff
cult task. Then he drifted into in
quiries as to the girl. She was Idalia,
that was all, lived with her uncle.
Morse expressed vast interest in the
superb voice of this same Idalia. The
men eyed him with certain aversion
and went their way.
Every day for 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
cloistered nook to slumber and awoke
to hear voices near him.
"The fellow doesn't seem to be in
evidence today" sounded first in gruff
tones.
"If he is, It. 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 vounce ON him anyway
and carry him there by forcei" came
the next words. "We can watch and
hold him till he pays the ransom
money"
In. a 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.
talneers, 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
sprang up from cleaning a rifle as
Morse confronted him.
"Ive 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 a plucky one and real gen
tleman," responded old Abel Reeves
"The boys think you're q revenue Off
Ger, and you don't get away, now
you're here" and he drew a iormid
able looking six-shooter. "Whai
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 wht
saved me from the gallows by furi
Gus mob ten years ago, there's moth
ing here too good for you. Go, yo,
! are free, If that you choose. Stay, 4
you will, as an honored guest"
"And the girl?" pressed Morse urg
ingly.
"I'm ashamed of the trap I set TO
you, but we're poor, ignorant folk
here, and pretty wicked" bluntly con
fessed old Reeves. "Not Idalia
though. I'm sorry I've treated he
harshly."
One day q month later Idalia entere,
the hut to find Morse and her fathe
engaged In serious conversation.
"Idalia." spoke the latter, 'Mr
Morse has told me story. It's abou
a gal.he loves. That's you. He want
to marry you. Speak your mind, m
child. I'll miss you, but you'll be hap
py. Do you want this man?"
"Oh, unclew fluttered Idalia, bury
ing her flushing face in both hands.