The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-10-14
(Continusd from Last issus)
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.
"Alonsieur, a note"
Brace took the paper and fastened
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 Inc to take
me from the man l thought my IA
Their. but who is the awful brute. Yes
ter1ay he called me she-wolf anu
told me l am not his daughter; ami
when he told me. my heart was light,
for then have not within me the muir
t1erer's blood. Come not alone, Virgil
for Tony will he here, and both or
them watch. am locked prisoner III
INV room. and tomorrow they take me
to Memphis to make me marry Mon
sieur Boyce. But fear not so long
as I know you come"
Quickly BRACE slipped up to MS
room. buckled on his pistol, found
rope. Topped it with a hangmans moose
and tucked it 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
against her caution, the advice to bring
someone with him. 1t was his hight
alone. the execution of his oath, which
was not dead like the autumn leaf, but
fresh like the new leaf in the spring.
He world shoot Tony, the dog, ana
then string up his master.
No one: saw him. not even the watch
full Tycie, and lie fastened toward
Willow Head, mot having found boat
Mt 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 leaned ashore, but was cautious in
the cane, an Indian in stealth as ne
approached the house. He heard not
a 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 tor
of his speed. But near the house he
halted, peerins about. looked in ut the
door of the main room, found 1t desert
ed, then walked softly around to- thu
barred window. Nadine spoke before
he recognized her. standing in the twi
light of her prison.
MY heart was loud to tell me yor
would come. Virgil. And you brought
no one with you. But OF that there
was 10 need now"
He stood in silence looking at her
his strength eXerted against bar a
the window, to tear it loose. but the
wrought.iron nails were too long, ant
he could not bulge them.
1.-The AK. Virgil. Is it lying there?
Acting upon her suggestion, ant
with no caution now against making
noise, he cut the bars away ant
helped her through the window.
Nadine. lie said, my oath mus
now be kept
His arms about her, he stood press
ing her close. and never had he felt 81
strong, and surely never 80 deter
mined. Her eyes half closed, her heat
on his arm, she did not speak. Sh,
looked as if she were at rest, ant
dreaming. He kissed her. and her eye:
flashed wide.
Il have come to hang the monster
that called you she-wolf."
"When I have told you. yes. Ant
now you will listen. Early though
/ heard Tony and MY mean Steph'
la Vitte, go out But Stepho was no
walking with Tony. the strong man
hut was dragged out in the rocking
chair: for some time in the night CONF
the strange stroke, and Stepho wa
paralyzed."
NADINE What are you saying"
Il ain sasing that you must listen
Tony came to, the window and told m
what was happen. ask him to lie
me out, but he would not, for he want
to please SStepho TIT the last. on &C
count Of the money that may be some
where hid. He went for the doctor
and he came but has gone away again
for I ifear iiih say he can do no good
The old 7tahFwas out in his chat
where he so often sit; and we will g
see him. for it will not be for long
Let us forget all and be kind whe
death was come. Virgil"
Eyes, but where is Tony now?"
II think he, is looking for the money
Let us 90 now to the poor old man.
s"You forgive easily, Nadine
She looked at him in wonderment.
How can we not forgive when tn
heart say we must, Virgil? He use IN
for the trap. which will explain all
you, but he give me the chance to b
with you, and for that thank HIM
and for not heinz mY SurCCuoug