The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-11-09
CHAPTER XII

Drace was far too disturbed in mind
to Sleep and before the sun was high
he walked out alone in the garden, to
muse upon his situation. Slowly he
paced his way along the path. Some
one spoke, and he turned to face the
man Batoche.
Monsieur, a note"
Drace took the paper and hastened
into the summer house.
The note was brief. but full in the
expression of what had befallen Ma
dine, something to throb with the tell
Ing of It: "As soon as you can, my
love one, you must come to me to take
me from the man thought my IA
ther, but who is the awful brute. Yes
terday he called me a she-wolf and
told me l am not his daughter; and
when he told me, my heart was light,
for then have not within me the muir.
derer's blood. Come not alone. Virgil,
for Tony will be here, and both Of
them watch. am locked a prisoner in
my room, and tomorrow they take me
to Memphis to make me marry Mon
sieur Boyce. But fear not SO long
as know you come"
Quickly Drace slipped up to his
room, buckled on his pistol. found a
rope, looped it with hangman's moose
and tucked 1t beneath his coat. Ma
dine was not Stepho's daughter; now
he was free to act! Swift was he to
answer the appeal, but he was set
L. a NJ IN hvinO
someone with him. 1t was his fight
alone, the execution Of his oath, which
was not dead like the autumn leaf, but
fresh like the new leaf In the spring.
He would shoot Tony, the dog. and
then string up his master.
No one saw him, not even the watch
full Tycie, and he hastened toward
Willow Head, not having found boat
at the landing. Never had the river
seemed so broad, the current so swift.
At last his canoe touched in among
the cane roots at the islands edge.
He leaped ashore, but was cautious In
the cane, an Indian in stealth as he
approached the house. He heard not
. sound, saw NO smoke Issue from the
chimney. Perhaps the wolves were in
wait for him. to snap him, but he was
now In full view, and he ran at the top
of his speed. But near the house he
halted. peering about, looked in at the
door Of the main room. found It desert
ed, then walked softly around to the
barred window. Nadine spoke before
he recognized her. standing In the twi-
light Of her prison.
my heart was loud to tell me you
would come, Virgil. And you brought
no one with you. But Of that there
was no need now"
He stood In silence looking at her,
his strength exerted against a bar at
the window. to tear 1t loose. but the
wrought-iron nails were too long, and
he could not bulge them.
''The az. Virgil! Is 1t lying there?"
Acting upon her suggestion. and
with no caution now against making
a noise, he cut the bars away and
helped her through the window.
"Nadine. he said. my oath must
now be kept"
His arms about her. he stood press
ing her close, and never had he felt so
strong. and surely never SO deter
mined. Her eyes half closed. her head
on his arm. she did not speak. She
looked as If she were at rest, and
dreaming. He kissed her, and her eyes
flashed wide.
II have come to hang the monster
that called you a she-wolf."
when 1 have told you, yes. And
now you will listen. Early l thought
I heard Tony and MY mean Stepho
la vitte. 60 out But stepho was not
walking with Tony, the strong man,
but was dragged out in the rocking
chair; for some time In the night come
the strange stroke. and Stepho was
paralyzed."
"Nadinel What are you sayingT
II am saying that you must listen.
Tony came to the window and told me
what was happen. 1 ask him to let
me out, but he would not, for he wants
to please Stepho till the last, on ac-
count of the money that may be some
where hid. He went for the doctor,
and he came but has gone away again.
for hear him say he can do no good.
The old man was out in his chair
where he SO often sit; and we will go
see him, for 1t will not be for long.
Let us forget all and be kind when
death was come. Virgil"
"Yes, but where is Tony nowf"
II think he is looking for the money.
Let us 20 now to the poor old man."
"You forgive easily, Nadine"
She looked at him In wonderment.
"How can we not forgive when the
heart say we must, virgilf He use me
for the trap. which will explain all to
You. but he give me the chance to be
with Won. and for that thank him