Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1941-09-25, Page 6The instinct S snot o fiife hotvev ea was too strong for prayer, and while her lips moved, the jealous senses watch- ed every sound beneath. When her ears heard the bars, which went on pivots secured to the centre of the door, turning into their fastenings, not one, as she herself had directed, with a view to admit her uncle should he apply, but all three, she started again to her feet, all spiritual con- templations vanishing in her actual temporal condition, and it seemed as if all her faculties were absorbed in the sense of hearing. The thoughts are active in a mo- neat so fearful. At first '.Babel fan- cied that her uncle had entered the blockhouse. and she was about to de- scend the ladder and throw herself in hisar••ms; then the idea that it might be an Indian who had barred the door to -shut out intrudere while he plund- ered at leisure, arrested the move- ment. The profound stillness below was unlike the bold, restless move- ments of Cap. and it seemed to sa- vour more of the artifices of an ene- my. If a friend at all. it could only be her unele or the Quartermaster; for the horrible conviction now present- ed itself to our heroine that to these two and herself were the whole party suddenly reduced. if. indeed, the two latter survived. This consid- eration held Mabel in check, and for full two minutes more a breathless silence reigned in the building. Dur- ing this time the girl stood at the foot of the upper ladder, the trap which led to the lower opening on the opposite side of the floor; the eyes of Mabel were riveted on this spot, for she now began to expect to see at each instant the horrible sight of a savage face in the hole.. This apprehension soon became so Intense. that she looked about her for a place of concealment. The pro- crastination of the catastrophe she rl0tw fully eXpi•et •tl. though it were nal': for a moment, afforded a relied. The room contained several barrels. ase rn( Iwo of these til b,1, t. placing h00 eyes m ar, o;, - 1,v which rc h sh erten si 'i t stein rat,. 1fl :made ;r.oth..r effort to I r;,,"; hut the nmal..tit .- t,'0 hor• - ie for llat relief. i;b' tt:un tt. too. r.:at i e l .•ar,l ,. h_,w` rtt dear. ,.s above the floor, a second and a bet- ter look assured our heroine that she saw w the gentle; anxious and even handsome face of Ju.+.e. CHAPTER XXII. It would be difficult to say which evinced the most satisfaction, when Mabel sprang to her feet and ap- peared in the centre of the room, our heroine, on finding that her vis- itor was the wife of Arrowhead, and not Arrowhead himself, or June, at discovering that ht'r advice had been followed, and that the blockhouse contained the person she had so an- xiously and almost hopelessly sought, They embraced each other, and the unsophisticated Tuscarora woman laughed in her sweet accents as she Meld her friend at arm's length, and made certain of her presence, "Blockhouse good" said the young Indian; "got no -scalp," 'It is indeed good. June," Mabel answered, with a shudder, veiling her ,ryes at the same time, as -if to shat out it view of the horrors she had so lately witnessed. "Tell me, far God's sake, if you know what has become of my dear uncle! I have looked in all directions without being able to see him." "No here in blockhouse?" June asked with some curiosity. "Indeed he is not: I am quite cer- tain 1 am alone in this place; Jennie, the woman who was with me, having rushed out to join her husband, and perishing for her imprudence," "June know, June see; very bad, Arrowhead no feel for any wife; no feel for his own," "Alt, June, your life, at least, is safe!" "Don't know; Arrowhead kill me, if he know all." "God bless and protect you, June! He win bless you and protect you for this humanity. Tell me what is to be done, and if my poor mrnele is still living?" "Don't know. Saltwater has boat; maybe go on rivet'." "The boat is still on the :shore. but neither my uncle not the Quar- t,•rmasiet is anywhere to be seers." "Co kill. t 311110 ••,"old ,'e. ludo :‘v. -y: Red man hide; no :haute for pale -face." "It is not the shame that I fear for the-tn. €.ttt the opportunity, Your }1 , were. .,,,e.-n•iing the lower i v,ttark wt t.wi'ttify sudden, June!" holder with an etroil •t ,•: r nn •sa -fust aroma!" returned the other. greaa as to betray elf by its own -oiling wife exultation at the dexter- xcc.:: than fellowed ,r creaking that I ley of her husband. "Arrowhead she swiss °.•r'taal ',tion, frem ott, of+,*;'eat warrior!" the steps of the ladder. which had 1 r "You are trio OA attd gentle f.,r •er coir th,. Farr.. no, -- u d.•r t, t °wit 1 this sortr f life . I n. yo t •amu't :r w leen as she ascended. Thi h,t,pt 0 stieh Scenes?" was one of those instants into tallith 1 June's t'ountc•n tnce grew eioude.d. are ,i-ompressed the Sensations of and Mabel fancied there was srinte yez,rs ,f ordinary existence. -.l fe. of the savage fire of a ebief in her death, eternity. and extreme bodily frown as she an --tiered,— - • •'Yengeese too _reedy. take away all hunting -grounds; show Six Na- tion from morning to night; wiekeel king, wicked people, Pale f et'•ye•t•y. bad." Mabel knew that. even in that elis- pair: noir:• ail standing out in bold relief from the plane of every -day existence. and she night have been taken at that moment for a beautiful pallid representation of herself, equally without emotinn and without vitality. Fut while such was the out- tint day. there was much truth in ward appearance of the forum. never bad there been a time in her brief career when Mabel heard more acutely, saw more clearly or felt more vividly. As yet, nothing was vi- sible at the trap, but her ears, rend- ered exquisitely sensitive by intense feeling, distinctly acquainted her that some, one was within a few inches of the opening in the floor. Next followed the evidence of her eyes, which beheld the dark hair of as Indian rising' up simvly through before your people will assault this Ole passage, se slowly that the building." movements of the head might be "Blockhouse gond—got no scalp." likened to, that of the minute -hand "But they will soon discover that of a Clock; then came the dark skin it has cot no garrison too, if they and wild features until the whole do not knovr it already. You your - swarthy face had ri:•en above the self told me the number of people floor. The human countenance -e1- that were on this aaand, and doubt - dem appeares to advantage When less yen learned ,t from Arrow - partially concealed, and Mabol ,m head." agined many additional horrors as "Arrowhead know," answered she first saw the black, roving eyes June, holding up six fingers, to M- end the expression of wildness as dieate the number of men. 'All red the savage countenance was reveal- men know. Four toee scalp already; ed, as it might be, inch by inch; but two got 'cpm yet." when the entire head was raised "Do not speak of it, June; the this opinion, though she was too well instructed not to understand that the monarch, in this, as in a thous- and other case,, was blamed for acts of which he was most probably ignorant. She felt the justice of the rebuke, therefore too ranch to at- tempt an answer and herr thoughts naturally reverted to her own situa- tion. "And what am I to do. June?" she demanded, "It cannot be long THE SEAFORTI3 NEWS horrid thought curdles my blood. Your people cannot know that I am alone in the blockhouse, but may fancy my: uncle and the Quarter- master with me, and may set fire to the building, in order to dislodge them, They tell me that fia'e is the great danger to such places." "No burn blockhouse," said June quietly. "You cannot know that, my good June, and I have no means to keep therm off. "No burn blockhouse. Blockhouse good; got no scalp." "Fut tell me why, June; I fear they will burn it." "Blockhouse wet ---much rain -- logs green—no burn -easy. Red than know it—fine ting -••••then no burn it to tell Yengeese that Iroquois been Isere, Fader come back, miss block- house, no found. No, no; Indian too tnuelr cunning! no tench anything." "I understand you, June, and hope your prediction may be true; for, as regards my dear father, should he escape—perhaps he is. already dead or captured, June?" "No touch fader—don't know where he gone—water got no trail —red man can't follow. No burn - June laid aside the rifle, and came blockhouse—blockhouse good; got and seated herself near the box on no scalp." which Mabel had sunk, under that "Do you think it possible for ins physical reaction which accompanies to remain here safely until my fath- ,joy as well as sorrow. She looked er returns?" steadily in our heroine's face, and 'Don't know; daughter tell best the latter thought that her counten- when fader come back." ancc had an expression of severity Mabel felt uneasy at the glance mingled with its concern. of June's dark eye as she uttered "Arrowhead great warrior," said this; for the unpleasant surmise the. Tuscarora's wife. "All the girls arose that her companion was en- of the tribe look at him much. The 1de ror'ing to di -seethe. a fact that pale -face beauty has eyes too?" imight be useful to her own people, "June! -what do these wo•ds— ! while it would lead to the destruc• that look—imply? what would you - i tion of her parents and Itis party. say?" She was about to make an evasive • 'Why you so 'fluid June shoot mswer when rt heavy push at the Arrowhead?" Muter door soddenly drew all her "Would it not have been horrible thoughts to the immediate danger. to see a wife destroy her own bus - "They conte!" rhe exclaimed, band? No, June, rather would I have "Perhaps, June, it is my u)teie or died myself." the Quartermaster. 1 cannot keep"Very sure dat all?" out even Mr, Muir at a moment like "'That was all, June, as God is my Ibis." judge!—and surely that was enough, "Why no look? plenty loophole, No, no! there have been sufficient made purpose." horrors today, without increasing Mabel took the hint, and, going to them by an act like this. What other one of the downward loops, that had motive can you suspect?" been cut through the logs in the "Don't know• Poor Tuscarora girl part that overhung the basement, very foolish, Arrowhead great chief, she cautiously raised the little block and look all round him. Talk of pale that ordinarily filled the small hole, face beauty in his sleep. Great chief and caught a glance of what was like many wives." passing at the door. The start and "Can a chief possess more than changing countena11 a told her com- one wife, June, among your people" panion that some of her own people "have as many as he can keep. were below. Great hunter marry ofteen, Arrow - "Red man," said June, lifting a head got only June now; but he look finger in admonition to be prudent. too much, see too much, talk too "Four; and horrible in their paint much of pale -face girl." and bloody trophies. Arrowhead is Mabel was conscious of this fact among them." which had distressed her not a little Juste hail moved to a corner, in the course of their journey; but where several spare rifles had been it shocked her to hear this allusion, deposited and had already taken one coming, as it did, from the mouth of in her hand, when the none of her the wife herself. She knew that ha - husband appeared to arrest her bit and opinions made great differ - movements, It was but for an instant ences in such natters; but, in addi- howeever, for she immediately went tion to the pain and mortification she to the loop, and was about to thrust experienced at being the unwilling the muzzle of time piece through it, rival of a wife. she felt an appre- when a feeling of natural aversion henslon that jealousy would be but induced Mabel to seize her arm. an equivocal guarantee for her per - 'No. no. Ito, Jun, ' said the lot- sena] safety in her present situation. ter: 'not against your own husband. A closet' look :it June, however, re - though try life be the p, r.,ity "' assured Inver; for: while it was easy. "No hurt A'! _t... r,d." alined to trace in the unpractised features THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 1941 June, with a slight shudder; "no hurt red than at all. No fire at 'em; only scare." Mabel now comprehended the in- tention of June and no longer op- posed it. The latter thrust the 111122- zlc of the rifle through the loophole; and, taking care to make noise enough to attract attention, she pulled the trigger. The piece had no sooner been discharged than Mabel reproached her friend for the very act that was intended to serve her. "You declared it was not your in- tention to fire," she said, "and you may have destroyed your own hus- band." "All run away before I fire," re- turned June, laughing, and going to another loop to watch the move- ments of her friends, laughing still heartier, "See! get cover—every warrior. Think Saltwater and Quar- termaster here. Take good care 110w." "Heaven be praised! And now, June, I may hope for a little time to compose my thoughts to prayer, that t I may not die like Jennie, think- ing only of life and the things of the world." of this unsophisticated being the pain of blighted affections, no dis- trusb could have tortured the earnest expression of her honest counten- ance into that of treachery or hate. "You will not betray me, June?" Mabel said, pressing the other's hand, and yielding to an impulse of generous confidence, "You will not give up one of your own sex to the tomahawk?" ' "No tomahawk touch you. Arrow- head no let them, If June must have sister -wife, love to have you." "No, June; my religion, my feel- ings, both forbid it; and, if'I could be the wife of an Indian, at all, I would never take the place that is yours in a wigwam." June made no answer, but she looked gratified, and even grateful. She knew that few, perhaps no In- dian girl within the circle of Arrow- head's acquaintance, could compare with herself in personal attractions; and, though it might suit her hus- band to marry a dozen wives, she knew of no one. besides Mabel, whose influence she 'could really dread. So keen an interest, however, had she taken in the beauty, winning man- ners, kindness, and feminine gentle- ness of our heroine, that when jeal- ousy canto to chill these feelings; it had rather lent strength to that in- terest; and, under it wayward influ- ence, had actually been one of the strongest of the incentives that had induced her to risk so much in order to save her imaginary rival from the consequences of the attack that she so well knew was about to take place. In a word, June, with a wife's keeness of perception, had detected Arrowhead's admiration of Mabel; and, instead of feeling that harrow- ing jealousy that night have render- ed her rival hateful, as would have been apt to be the case with a wo- man unaccustomed to defer to the superior rights of the lordly sex, she had studied the looks and character of the pale -face beauty, until, meet- ing with nothing to repel her own feelings, but everything to encour- age them, site had got to entertain an admiration and love for her, which though very different, was scarcely less strong than that of her husband's. Arrowhead himself had sent her to warn Mabel of the con- ing danger, though he was ignorant that she had stolen upon the island in the rear of the assailants, and was now intrenched in the citadel along with the objeet of their joint care. On the contrary, he supposed, as his wife had said, that Cap and Muir were in the blockhouse with Mabel, and that the attempt to repel him and his companions had been made by the men, "June sorry the Lily"—for so the Indian, in her poetical language, had named our heroine='June sorry the Lily no marry Arrowhead. His wig- wam big, and a great chief must get, enough wives to fill it." "I thank you, June, for this pref- erence, which is not according to the notion of us white women," re- turned Mabel, smiling in spite of the fearful situation in which she was placed; "but I may not, probably never shall, marry at all." "Must have goad husband," said June; "otomy Eau -dunce, if don't like Arrowhead." "June! this is not a fit subject for Counter ec • We etre Selling Quality Books Books are Well Made, Carbon is Clean and Copies Readily, All styles, Carbon Leaf and Black Back. Prices as Low as You Can Get Anywhere. Get our Quotation on Your Next Order, 0 Seafort ws SEAPORTH, ONTARIO, ;at2:111®7 PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Graduate of University of Toronto. Paul L. Brady, M.D., Graduate of University of Toronto, The Clinic is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equipment. Dr, F. J. R. Forster, Speolalist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 p.m. JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D, Physician and Surgeon In 111'. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 6.1 DR. F. J. R. FO S7 R ER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto. Late Assistant New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospitals, London, Eng. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 2 to 4 p.m. Also at Seaforth Clinic first Tuesday in each month. -63 Waterloo St., Stratford. Telephone 267. AUCTIONEER GORDON M. GRANT, Licensed. Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at the Seaforth News, or by writing Cordon M. Grant, Goderich Charges moderato and satisfaction guaranteed. F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction- eer for Perth and Huron Counties Sales Solicited. Terms on Application Farm Stook, chattels and real estate property, R. R. No. 4, Mitchell, Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. HAROLD JACKSON Licensed in Huron and Perth coun- ties. Prices reasonable; satisfaction guaranteed. For information, write or phone Harold Jackson, phone 14 on 661; R.R. 4, Seaforth. EDWARD W. ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for Huron. Correspond. enee promptly answered. Immediate arrangements can he made for Sale Date by calling Phone 203, Clinton. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insm'ance risks efecl ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. The McKillop Mutual Fire Insurance Co. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Wnt. Knox, Lonclesboro Vide President, W. R. Archibald Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A Reid, Seaforth, AGENTS F. McKercher, R. R,1, Dublin; Join, E. Pepper, R. IL 1, Brucefield; J. n. Procter, Bradhagen; James Watt ltlyth; Aldred Yea, Holntesville. DIRECTORS Alex Broadfoot, Seato'th; William Knox, Londesboro Chris Lconhardt, Dublin; E. J. Trewartha, Clinton; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. R Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwing Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clintons Hugh Alexander, Walton. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will bo promptly attended to by application to any of the above named officer) addressed to their respective post offices. a girl who scarcely knows if she is to live another hour or not. I would obtain some signs of my dear uncle's being alive and safe, if possible." 'June go see." "Can you?—will you?—would it be safe for you to be seers on the island? is your presence known to the warriors, and would they be pleased to find a woman on the war- path with them?" The Hollywood magnate told an assistant that in his opinion a cer- tain writer was the only than for a Cilia they had under consideration. The assistant was tactfully doubtful. "Don't you think ho's a little too c.anstic?" he suggested. "Do I care how much he costs?" demanded the producer, "Get him!" "Site's the image of her mother:" "Yes, a talking picture," Notice to Creditors, 3 wits. for $2.5