Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 22 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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26 CHAPTER XXVIII. “TRAPS AND TRAPSAOCKS !” It was not without a seeret feeling of uneasi- ness and distrust that Bernard Ross saw White- law appear at the lodge. He received him cold- ] - I will not flatter myself,” he said, “that I - am the particular object of this visit.” Nathalia affected not to hear this rewark. She beheld this meeting with apprehension; her feminine delicacy made her shrink from its con- sequences. She felt keenly the embarrassment of her situation. Without intention, she had been gradually hemmed in by a singular net- work of circumstances. Here were two persons laying claim to her favor, and she so swayed and tossed about by conflicting emotions that she found it a painful and difficult thing to de- cide between them. That she loved Gereard, she felt certain; while Whitelaw inspired her with the deepest confidence and regard. If she loved one, she had faith in the other. She sin- cerely wished that both would leave her, and spare her blushes and confusion. “T have heard,” replied Whitelaw, “ partly from Nathalia and ante from Owen, of the at- tempt recently made upon your life by the two miners. Your estape was as remarkable as the design was criminal. I heartily congratulate you that the affair terminated so well. What most annoys me, in connection with this, is, that one of the parties bears relationship to one who is dear to both of us.” The frankness and candor with which White- law spoke, disarmed Bernard of a portion of his resentment. ‘For her sake,” he replied, “I have said lit- tle of the matter. The New York Library. ? ing. It would probably be exceedingly hard to create a doubt in their minds concerning your fate. My plan is, to bring them both here, by some pretext—to see Nathalia, perhaps—when I will gradually and naturally lead the conversa- tion to oceult matters. I will operate on their imaginations ; I will skillfully play on their guilty minds. I will make the boldest claims, and back them up with such a show of philoso- phy that their curiosity will be aroused. Soph- istry shall go for argument, and a solemn manner for the self-consciousness of a great truth. Your ores death I will adroitly re- fer to; and finally put the climax to my preten- sions by impressively asserting my ability to call up the ghost of the murdered man, to fix the awful crime upon the perpetrators.” “T comprehend. I enter entirely into your purpose. All shall be prepared to favor the srdewhhle deception ; and when you evoke me, [ will appear. Arrange it as on will.” This matter being settled, Bernard began to feel more at ease. He was glad that this new footing was established between Whitelaw and hintsele Nathalia was evidently happier for this adjustment. Whitelaw remained a long time at the lodge. He was going, when he was sur- prised by seeing the good-natured face of Kid Kerly at the door. He was accompanied by Owen, who had been absent since Nathalia’s in- terview with Whitelaw early in the morning. “Traps and trapsacks !” exclaimed the moun- taineer. “This is some’at like the Nor’west— this is. Nice lodge! nice lodge! Well, this beals the airth and all natur’ tg together ! Here’s squirrels, and beavers, and cookin’-tools, and Nattie of the Woods. Hillo! here’sa little Indeed, 1 have been nearly | Injun gal, as sure as shootin’! This isa palace, silent in regard to the perpetrators of the das- by gane 1"? tardly act.” “Twas considerate and delicate. tion and kindness. her a fitting guardian. know that he is dangerous, even to her. must never, never be again in his pawer. Be- lieve me, what I say is prompted by feelings of the purest friendship for Nathalia. I seek but the happiness of this sweet child. I only ask to be near her—to see her—to minister to her enjoyment; and this will content me. Bernard Ross, lam not your enemy. You have misun- derstood me, but I have comprehended you. Let us be friends—at least, for the present. It were cruel in you and in me to emp pain Nattie while situated as she now is.”’ “ You should have thought of this before, Mr. be ur replied Bernard, considerably soft- ened. “The rebuke is not unmerited, and I will be careful that I do not again deserve it. Are we friends, young man ?” “So far as men placed as we are may be,” an- swered Bernard, with effort. “Mr. Whitelaw, I thank you that you have spoken thus. You have said the right words at the right time. What pleasure it will give me to see youfriends! You willremove a mountain of misery from my heart! It seems to me that, the sun shines brighter for your goodness !” said Nathalia, with earnest enthusiasm. Bernard’ had not yet conquered himeelf; pride, jealousy, and lingering distrust of the man still perplexed him. He tried manfully, how- ever, t» magnanimous. “Your confidence is not perfect; but time, I believe, will give it strength.” “Do not doubt him, Bernard! I am sure he is all truth,” added Nathalia, looking entreat- ingly at the younger man. _ The latter lifted his eyes to look at her, and saw the little girl, Tawny, standing between her and Whitelaw. There was something about the circumstanee that looked like premeditation. ‘It’s the flaming sword,” muttered Whitelaw, “guarding an Eden of innocence !” | “ What did you say ?” asked Bernard. “T was thinking aloud,” he answered. “ Part of my object in coming here was to say what I have said; my visit has yet another purpose, which is, the punis!iment of those who attempt- ed your life. I do not refer to the law and its penalties, but purpose making a direct appeal 'o their consciences by a simple artifice. In brief, I have a plan to act upon their fears in stich a startling manner as to lead them to the confession of their guilt. . “No one will unite with you more heartily than I,” replied Bernard, “in bringing about such a result.” “They have every reason to believe,” resum- ed the other, “that you are not among the liv- roe 8 Quimby is not for ou, perhaps, already | She | arrass and. i id paused, and braced himself against his You per-| rifle, looking hard at Tawny. ceive that Nathalia is thrown upon our protec-| “That is my little Ingin girl,” said Owen. “ Wah !” Tawny looked up quickly at this sound. “The beaver euts my wood,’’ added Owen, “the squirrels do my singin’, and Tawny runs here and there, as I tell her. Tawny has to work ; I don’t have no lazy ones here.” ‘ Wah!” responded Kerly, his eyes still fixed on the girl.” ‘‘She’s handy to have in my palace,” contin- ued the youth. ‘She looks pretty, 7 hand on the otter skin at Queen Nattie’s feet. some times put her in my canoe for a figure-head, and she does wonderfully well, for she sits just as I tell her.”’ “Tt ts!” said the mountaineer. “Don’t stare in that way, Tawny !” admonish- ed Owen ; forthe child’s bronzed face was turn- ed up to the trapper’s with singular earnestness. ‘* No, it isn’t!” muttered Kid. ‘“ Yes, ’tis! Shoot me plum’ centre, if ’tisn’t! Milly — Milly !” Tawny took a hesitating step toward Kerly, “ Milly !” he repeated, softly. The lights and shades of awakened remem- brances swept over the child’s face. She held out her hands. Kid*Kerly threw his rifle from him, and caught her in his arms. Nathalia and the others beheld this seene with astonishment. “Ah, ha!” said Owen. ‘ Never you fear, an or ye! Never you fear while Owen and his whisperer are about. He that runs b my aide is deep. Ah, ha! What do you thin this, Queen Nattie ? Owen’s devil has found a father for Tawny !” Kid Kerly held Tawny at arm’s length, look- ing steadily at her for the space of a minit. “Tf ’tisn’t her,” he muttered, “I don’t Know hind-sights from fore-sights !” He then hugged the little creature to his breast, set her upon her feet, and with a long breath exclaimed : “ Wah!” Tawny did not speak nor cry out, but looked up at the mountaineer with inexpressible earn- estness. Thus between the two was the bond acknowledged. “Two year ago,” said Kid, explanatorily, “my wife and child was stole from me. This here little critter is the child. How she got down here, I don’t know; but it’s her, sure as shootin’ !” “Found her a long way off,” said Owen. “ Al- most starved, Tawny was. But I took care of her. We know how to take care of little Ingin irla—the whisperer and I. But she’s had to work, though, to pay for it! Ah, ha! I've been a hard master to awn y ¢ Tawny looked lovingly at Owen, and smiled. “JT see you have!” said Kerly, in a voice that | was @ trifle husky. “ Shall have hard work to git her away from ye, in my opinion. But hata a good lad—a good lad! I’m your friend or life, that’s sarfin. If you can’t get any bet- ter father, come to me, bay, come to me. It will go hard with the critter that harms ye— shoot me plum’ centre if it won’t !” Owen was sitting on the steps of Nattie’s | throne Tawny went and crouched at his feet. “You can’t part us,” said Owen. ‘ You can’t part us, never—never—never |” Kid Kerly brushed away a tear with the sleeve of his hunting-shirt, and muttered : “T won't do it! I won’t do it!” CHAPTER XXIX. THE CONJURATION. Ralph Quimby was much chagrined and con- founded by his interview with Whitelaw. The inopportune interference of Stratton, too, affect- ed him not a little, and he immediately resolved upon @ new plan of action. As soon as he had recovered his self-possession, he hurried after his confederate, who was now becoming danger- ous in-more ways than one. To conciliate, and regain his sscendency, he now considered para- mount. He had a hard struggle to overtake him. and no less a task to secure his attention. He soothed him by every art in his power; he con- trived to fix his mind on Nathalia, and solemn- ly renewed all his promises. ‘““ Nattie,” he said, at length, “ is on this island ; and, to show you that I am in earnest, I will help you to take her away. We will lay our lans with skill and secrecy. We will baffi. hitelaw and Owen.” “It is hard to cheat Owen,” replied Stratton, pire S “No doubt he goes to the main land, occa- sionally, and Whitelaw, I am very sure, lives in a cave; though I’ve never been able to find it. The girl is secreted somewhere on the west side of this island. Nothing will te easier than to discover her hiding-place. We will seize her, ut her on our raft, and Jand on the shore of the en Mile Trace. What is more feasible than this? Its accomplishment is certain.” “Tf we do it, you'll deceive me again!” grumbled Stratton. power. I will do nothing to thwart you.” With arguments and protestations of this kind, he succeeded once more in enlisting Nat Stratton in his service. The miners, thus par- tially reconciled, began a strict search for Na- thalia. They had reached the western side of the island, and had spent some hours in the ursuit, when they unexpectedly encountered hitelaw. “You are looking for Nathalia,” he said. “Come to this spot, after sunset, and I will con- duct you to her.” The eyes of Stratton flashed with wild pleas- ure; but Ralph, more subtle, tried to find Whitelaw’s motive. | “You will take me to Nathalia?” he repeated. “Unquestionably! I have much to say to you. It is for your interest and mine that we discuss matters freely and confidentially. Let your friend come with you; he shall hear every- thing. But you must make no attempt to take Nathalia from her present retreat, nor use your knowledge of it, afterward, to her detriment.” “T don’t wish to harm my niece,” replied Ralph, gruffly. We will be here at the time; and if this proposal be made in anything but good faith, remember that we shall go armed, and that men rendered desperate by treachery, ‘|: fight long and die hard.” “ Fear not,” said Whitelaw. “You and your friend should be a match for Owen and I. ~ Re- member the time.” He passed on, ean the miners both elated and mystified. They discussed the incident a long time, reap concluding to be governed in their conduct, after being guided to Nathalia, as circumstances might seem to warrant. With this understanding, they busied themselves the remainder of the dat in repairing their raft, and making it available for instant use. Satisfied with their labors, they met Whitelaw, as agreed upon, and followed him with curiosity, not min- gled with anxiety, to Owen’s lodge. Nathalia was seated upon her rural throne ; Tawny was reclining at her feet, while Owen was stretched, dreamily, upon some wolf-ski's at her right. The squirrels had retired to their nests, but the beaver crouched in a corner. It was quite dark when Ralph entered. Sev- eral pine torches, thrust in the ground ing cir- cle, near the centre of the area, illuminated the lodge, Both the miners were manifestly sur Comic cS 100 “T will not! She shall be placed in your (E(O)