The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-18
CHAPTER XIV
The Poison Plot


Beatrice had kept only an approx
mate track of the days. yet she knew
that an attempt TO rescue her must
be almost at hand.
The wolf had gone now to join his
fellows. She was not aware of his
almost nightly return. Perhaps the
fact Of his absence gave her an op-
portunity to save her father from
Ben's ambush.
The thought was with her, and she
was desperate one long. warm after
noon as she searched for roots and
berries in the forest. And all at once
her hand reached toward a little vine
of black berries, each with a green
tuft at the end.
AS if by instinct, hardly aware of
the motion, she withdrew her hand.
She knew this vine. It was the deadly
nightshade, and a handful Nof the
berries spelt death. She started TO
look elsewhere.
But presently she paused. arrested
by an idea so engrossing and yet so
terrible that her heart seemed to pause
in her breast.
Her fathers life was in imminent
danger. Another day might find him
stretched lifeIess before her. Ben had
not hesitated to use every weapon in
his power; she should not hesitate now.
Eagerly her fingers plucked the
black berries.
In one Of the tin cups Beatrice
h.
obtaining perhaps a tablespoonful Of
black liquor. To this she added con
siderable sugar.
Then she concealed the cup in a
cluster of vines. ready for the mo-
ment of need.
Then she FASTENED up the ridge to
meet Ben on his way to the cave.
She waited a few minutes. then
spying his stalwart form at the edge
Of the beaver meadow, she tripped
down to meet him
She walked to the door of the cave.
procuring a handful Of dried red.root
leaves that she used for tea. Through
the cavern opening he saw her drop
them into the bucket that served as
their teapot.
Then she came back for the oiled.
cloth bag that contained the last OF
their sugar. He began to eat his
steak.
All that he had told her concern
ing his war with her father required
to her in one vivid flash. Could it
have been that he had told the truth
that her father and his followers
had been the attackers in the begin
ming?
But even as these thoughts came
to her, she had walked boldly to the
fire and smptied the contents of the
cup into the boiling water IN the tea
pot.
Then she took the pot off the fire
and poured the hot contents into the
cup that had just held the potion.
She brought it steaming to Ben's SIDE
It's pretty strong, I'm afraid" she
told him. The leaves weren't very
good, and 1 boiled them too long
I'm afraid you'll find it bitter"
IN drink it, if it's bitter as gall"
he assured her.
His hand reached and seized the
handle Of the cup.
Then she seemed to writhe as in
CONFUSION. Her voice rose in a
piercing scream. 'Ben-Ben-don'
drink it!'' she cried. God have mercy
on my soul"'
She reached and knocked the cup
from his hand; and it's black Contents,
like dark blood, stained the sandy
floor of the cavern.
Never mind, Beatrice" the man
was saying, his deep, rough voice gen
tie as a woman's. Don't cry-just
forget all about it. Let's go over to
your hammock and rest awhile"
But you don't understanding
don't know-what I tried to do"
His rugged face lighted as he
smiled, kindly and tolerantly. But
her solemn voice arrested him.
Wait, Ben. I want you to know
so you won't trust me again. The
cup-was poisoned"
The man looked at her, in infinite
compassion, then came and sat be.
side her in the hammock. Rather
quietly he took one of her hands.
Then he pressed it to his lips.
You'd kiss my hand-after what
I did?'
after what you didn't do" he cor.
rected
They would need fuel in plenty to
keep the fire bright tonight. Evi.
IDENTIFY rain was impending-one of
those cold, steady downpours that are
disliked so cordially.
He went a full 200 yards before he
found a tree to his liking 1t was
tough spruce Of medium height and
just at the edge of the stream. He
laid his rife down. leaning 1t against
a fallen log; then began his work.
His blows struck true from habit.
Now the tree was half-severed it was
time to cut on the opposite side Sud
denly his ak crashed into yielding,
rotten wood.