The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-02-21
CHAPTER XII
Ia

] 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.'
. Drnce took the paper and FASTENED
Into the summer house.
The note WINS brief, but full in the
expression Of what had befallen Ma
dine, something to throb with the tell
Ing OF 1t: AS soon as you can. my
love one. you must come to me to take
me from the man l thought my IA
Their. but who Is the awful brute. Yes
terday lie called me she-wolf and
told me I 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. l am locked prisoner In
my room, and tomorrow they take me
to Memphis to make me marry Mon
sieur Boyce. But l fear not so long
as I know you come"
Quickly Drace slipped up to his
room. buckIed on his pistol. found
rope, looped It with hangman's moose
and tucked II beneath his coat. M
dine was not Stepho's daughter; now
ne 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
nione, 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 FASTENED toward |
Willow Head. not having found boat |
at the landing. Never had the river |
At last his canoe touched In among |
the cane roots Mt the Islands edge.
He leaped ashors. but was cautious In
the cane, an Insian 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. 10 snap him, but he was
now in full vlew and he rnn at the top
of his speed. But near the house he
halted. peering about, looked In Mt the
door of the main room, found II 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 exeTted against bar at
the window, to tear 1t loose, but the
nails were too long, and
he could Tot bulge them.
1.-THE az. Virgil! Is 1t lying thereT
Acting upon her suggestion, and
with no caution now against making
\ 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 80 deter
mined. Her eyes half closed, her head
On his arm, she did not speak. She
looked as II she were at rest, and
dreaming. He kissed her. and her eyes
dashed wide.
III have come to hang the monster
that called you a she-wolf."
~When I have told you, yes. And
now you will listen. Early thought
heard Tony and MY mean Stepho
II vitte. 60 out. But Stepho was not
with Tony. the strong man.
,ut was dragged out In the rocking
hair; for some time In the night come ..
he strange stroke. and Stepho was
,arnlyzed."
"Nudlnei Whnt are you sayingr
~ am saying that you must listen.
Tony came to the window and told me ,
What was happen. l ask him to lot
ne sut. hut he would not, for he wants :
O please Stepho till the last. on a.
cunt Of the money that may be some .
rhere hid. He went for the doctor. =
nd he cnme but has gone away again. ;,
.r hear him shy he can do no good. :
rhe old man was ont In his chair
where he 80 often sit; and We will go
zee him. for It will not be for long. I
et us forget du uHu Oc hiuu WHICH =
leath was come. Virgil"
eyes. hut where Is Tony now?v n
st think he Is looking for the money.
let us go now to the poor old man."
"You forgive easily. Nadine"
She looked at him In wonderment.
"HoS can we not forgive when the r
,eart say We must. Virgil? He use me cI
or the trap. which will explain nli to Z,
'ou. but he give me the chance to be b.
With you. and for that thank him q
Ind for not being my sure-enough b
'ather. 80. Come with me-" &
Old Stepho sat In his chair asleep p
but Ms they approached aim. he s
opened his eyes. looked at Nadiac. o
then at Dnce. b
Monsieur was YER strong. An o.
ho - 80 H. | al