The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-06-21
cHAPT ER XII
Kidnapped

Since Bowyer's last visit to the
store Molly had been making plans,
but, when these were made, she did
not dare to place them before the
factor.
She knew that they could not long
remain at the portage. There was his
increasing infrmity; there was Tom
Bowyer's enn1ity-his hold over her
father, which was bringing him into
his grave. ..z
Yet she feared one Of the factors
wild outbursts Of rage If she renewed
her suggestion that they should go to
Winnipeg. On the other hand, gradu-
ally she began to believe that Melon
aid was forming plans Of his own. Ii
that were so, In due time, and In his
own way, he would talk to her about
them.
Meanwhile she watched her father
anxiously. He still dragged his leg
as he walked, and the fear that was
always upon him now had made him
an old man within the past year. The
girls love for him, which her humilia-
ton at Bowyer's hands had never en-
tirely killed, burned up again after she
had broken with Wilton.
But she wondered constantly what
was the power that Bowyer had over
her father. Had Mcdonald given her
any encouragement. she would have
spoken to him, and begged for an I'M
Outstanding that might remove the
cloud which hung over them both. But
the factor was more morose than ever,
especially when the winter trading
ended and time hung heavily upon
their hands.
The talk came at last. Mcdonald
was In his chair upstairs, Molly read
Ing to him. But the factor did not
seem to hear her; he was looking out
Of the window and brooding as of old.
Suddenly he turned to her.
"rm thinking Of leaving here before
winter, lass" he said.
Leaving here, father? For good?'
"For aye" he exploded. II thocht
I'd die here and be laid beside your
mother. And I've held on! God, how
I've held on! But I'm done with that
hope Would We leave the portage,
Molly?" he asked wistfully.
'Yes, father! I wish we could. I
wish we could go somewhere together
member it."
save, never to remember It'll" he
,, echoed.
ITO Winnipeg?" she suggested tim
idly.
He seemed to tremble at her words.
He turned fiercely upon her. ITO
Scotland! =" he shouted. I'm done with
this country. A mans thochts turn In
his old age to his homeland. To Aber-
deeni"
Molly was awed by the old mans
fanatical enthusiasm. "When shall we
go?" she asked.
This autumn, lass - before the
SHOWS fall. But" he clutched her
by the arm-"ye'll say nought about
| it?"
But you must arrange with the com.
1pany for a new factor. and, If he isn't
| trained"
His clutch became convulsive. mot
a world" he cried fiercely. "Havena
done weel by the company? 1t won't
be the sufferer. II they thocht I was
| going away they'd-not word, lass
Promise me! Molly, lass, We Wilma &c
back on me nova"
"No, I won't 60 back On you," she
answered.
But she did not like the idea OF
stealing away, although the company
would suffer little. And then there
would be the forfeiture Of his pension
| But she dared not bring up that sub
| ject In view of his evident obsession
After a while they began to make
| preparation They spoke Of the jour
ney as being weeks, instead Of months
| away. Then came a night when the
factor tapped at Molly's door. She
| dressed quickly and went out of her
room, to see the whole skyline ablaze
| Clouds of smoke were whirling down
on them. Suddenly a rig with two
horses came dashing across the portage
and drew up at the door.
Molly recognized Lee Chambers and
| Hackett, and turned and faced them
though her heart was beating with
| fear.
"We've come for you. Miss McDon,
| aid" shouted Lee Chambers 1.-THE
| fires across the muskeg. and there
won't be anything left Of this store in
| twenty minutes. Come along!"
He shouted and gesticulated wildly
| and seemed hardly master of himself
Mcdonald started and looked out
| through the smoke clouds. But as
they approached the girl she drew
| herself asyay.
Its not truei" she cried. THE
| fires on the other side. Why should
| you come for usf'
II tell you you'll be burned to a Gin
| der inside of fifteen minutes" yelled
! Chambers We've got no time tc
waste. We're going TO drive you out
of danger. Come along."
"I won't comet" cried Molly. Don't
go with them, father. He's not speak
ing the truth! Look ar his face"
Hackett pushed Chambers out of his
| way and strobe up to the door. 81
guess that's true enough, what you
said, Miss Mcdonald" he said 1.-The
fire amt this side-but VIII Carruth-
ers is dying. They pulled him out OF
his shack. He's In bad way. Mebbe
he'll just live till morning He's call
| ing for you"
M