The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1923-04-12
CHAPTER XII

paced his way along the path. Some
one spoke, and he turned to face the
man Batoche.
"Monsieur, 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 M.
dine, something to throb with the tell
ing of it: GAS soon as you can, my
love one, you must come to me TO take
me from the man l thought my ia
ther, but who Is the awful brute. Yes
terday he called me a she-wolf and
told me I am not his daughter; and
when he told me, my heart was light,
for then I 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 q 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 BRACE slipped up to his
/. room, buckled on his pistol, found
rope, looped it with hangmans 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
against her caution, the advice to bring
someone with him. 1t was his fight
alone, the execution of his oath, which
was not dead like the autumn leaf, hut
fresh like the new leaf in the spring.
Fe would shoot Tony, the dog, and
then string up his master.
No one saw him, not even the watch
full Tycie, and he FASTENED 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
q sound, saw no smoke issue from the
chimney. Perhaps the wolves were 10
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.
+ uNTv hoo NJ ,,,a. Io,,J - 4o11 .s.o .,o..
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 ak, Virgil Is it lying theref"
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
rioMsbe:kept."
His arms about her, he stood press
ing her close, and never had he felt so
stropg, 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.
81 have come to hang the monster
that called you a she-wolf."
"When l have told you, yes. And
noW you will listen. Early l thought
I heard Tony and MY mean Stepho
la yitte, go out. But Stepho was not
with Tony. the strong man,
bnt was dragged out in the rocking
chair; for some time in the night come
The strange stroke, and Stepho was
''Nadinel What are you saying?"
Il am saying that you must listen.
Tony came to the window and told me
What was happen. l ask him TO let
ne out, but he would not, for he wants
0 please Stepho till the last, on ac-
cunt of the money that may be some
There hid. He went for the doctor,
nd he came but has gone away again,
or hear him say he can do no good.
he old man was out in his chair
there he SO often sit and we will go
ee him, for 1t will not be for long.
et us forget all and be kind when
cath was come, Virgil"
"Yes, but where is Tony now?"
II think he Is looking for the money.
ct us 60 now to the poor old man."
'You forgive easily, Nadine"
She looked at him in wonderment.
"How can we not forgive when the
cart say we must, Virgil? He use me
,r the trap, which will explain all to
gu, but he give me the chance to be
18th you, and for that / thank him
nd for not being my sure-enough
ather. Come with me-"
Old Stepho sat in his chair asleep,
mt as they approached him, he
'pened his eyes. looked at Nadine. !
hen at Drace, j
Monsieur was YER strong. An y
EH you Il ! be not struck down like =
he beef An Tony XIII you If he here, j
mt ! send him Off for something All. I
he leetle gel she hste me now7s
] Monsieur she said. II cannot fnd ?
I In ny heart TO hate Ii Is the poi
ION. Many times you were kind, and
remember them"