The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-02
Venus Returns to
 Her Mate By HAROLD SINCLAIRE


previous. There never seemed pair so mated as they to one another. After a week of picnic pleasures and wood land roamingS that now came up be fore Marie'S imagination like some beautiful dream, Aldis returned to his home. fifty miles distant.
 Young Blake made a practical fad of pigeons. He boasted the ownership of Silver Wing carrier that had won the prize for the longest sustained flight on record. The week he spent at Milford had been occupied in train ing some of these pets. The. evening of his departure he had sauntered down to the Powers home, q small port able cage in his hand.
 T wonder if you would accept gift from me, Miss p0wersf' he said, as they sat in the garden in the moon light, aHd Marie thrilled at the ten dernesS in his tones.
 T should cherish any reminder of the pleasant hours we have spent to- sether,' she said frankly.
 "Then l am going to leave Juno with you"
 Aldis removed both doves from the cage. Venus eooed in melancholy way as her partner was carried into the house by Marie. The bird would have flown frantically to the company of it's mate if Alds had not restrained it.
 some day." said Aldis softly, as he arose to take leave of Marie, T am go- ing to send Venus with a message. 1 in month the great family lawsuit which involves large fortune, will be decided in my favor. Should that come about, as l say, l shall send Venus with q message to you under her wing"
 Marie futtered, herself, like some frightened dove. She hung her head, understanding, but mute.
 When 1 do, Miss Powers" proceed ed Aldis in an intense tone, twill you send Juno back with a reply?"
 "Yes.' whispered Marie, and he was gone with tender pressure of her hand, carrying away her heart with him and leaving his own behind.
 One month, two months-no word, no glad visit for Juno from her absent Bate. That evening, however, as every evening, Marie sat by the open window, thinking, hoping that the fiut- ter of welcome wings might break the long vigil.
 Marie had closed the window as the rain began to fall. Suddenly there seemed to be louder sound than the splatter of the drops. It was like a Then some heavy object beat against the pane. Marie went to the window. opened 1t. With rain splotched wings, draggled and storm beaten, the carrier dove, Venus, Tapped Into the room.
 One hour later Marie was speeding down the road leading southwards, mounted on a bicycle. She had found under the wing of the carrier dove a card in the writing of Aldis Blake. II am a prisoner at the Cas- cade mill," it read, near Rlverton. Help"
 Marie had heard Aldis speak of des perate enemies more than once.
 Her cousin and herself had been regular bicyclists in the past. Her suit was in the garret, her machine In the stable loft. Her dauntless mind yI-ac Mario was dashing down the country high way.
 It must have been Il o'clock when she saw the crossroads lights a mile away, and the city glow beyond. Then, nearer, towards the riverside, a spark or radiance recalled something.
 The Cascade mill" exclaimed Marie, in sudden flash of memory. Why, that lonely building where the light Is rlust be it. Cousin and l remember now"
 Marie approached the old rookery. A light guided her. She traced 1t to a room on the lower floor. She saw q rufiianly faced man trying a lock ed door. Then he took up a bottle from table, put on his hat and start ed apparently for the tavern at the cross roads.
 Marie was in the lighted room as soon as the man was out of sight. She noticed the padlocked door beyond, found a heavy iron bar, burst in the door, and extending the lantern saw her lover, handcuffed, lying on a heap of straw.
 "You" shouted Aldis in amaze.
 "Yes." nuttered Marie-"your mes sage the dove"
 "What, Venus flew to you instead of home, as expected?" exclaimed AldiS. "Ah, I see-for her mate"
 Just os Marie had sought hers She lel him from the place and to the nearest farmhouse. The tele- phone was called into requisition. some officers arrived in an automo- bile from the city Then Marie re-