Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 196, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1914 — Page 2

The MAID of the FOREST

by RANDALL PARRISH

CHAPTER XXll—Continued. He lowered himself into the stream, ~ which was deep to the shore, as silently as a ghost. A dozen feet away I i lost sight of Aim entirely amid the dim, dancing shadows. Then I followed with equal caution, nay face • turned up to the sky. It was a dark ' night, but with a few stars visible A eeping down through rifts of cloud. The small river was not wide, nor the current particularly swift, and I had rot been carried far down stream \.hen the overhanging branches of the opposite bank gave shelter. I drew myself ashore, and sat there, shivering in my wet clothes, the night air chill, and stared anxiously about, and across to the shore we had just left. 1 moved down the shore cautiously, keeping well below the concealing bank until I found Brady. He was crouched in the shadow of a great tree root, his whole attention riveted on the opposite side. , “There are no signs of pursuit?” "Not that I can see. I have watched here some minutes, but there has been no movement along the bank. We will move on down stream.” * It was hard walking amid the tangled roots, and we made slow work of It. Brady, in advance, stumbled once or twice, and, I noticed, held one hand pressed against his side as though from pain, breathing heavily. To our left, bat some distance away* a voice called, and was answered by another. So, toiling on, we came to a sharp bend in the stream. ■‘lt must be about opposite here, Hayward,” he said stopping, "the girl told you the boat would be. What is that lamping shadow yonder? Tour eyes are younger than mine.” I looked where he pointed, shading my eyes, and gradually focusing the outlines until they assumed definite shape. * "It is a big tree bent down over the river; no doubt the one she meant.” "You see no movement?” I strained my eyes, searching the dark shore inch by inch, but could perceive nothing; the lights of the fires were far away. "It Is still as death over there." He shot'a swift glance at me, as if the words pleased him little. In the dim starshine his face appeared ghastly white. "Perhaps the days of miracles are not gone,” he said doubtfully, “and Gtrty may have played fair. Anyhow there is nothing to be done now but test it. Come on,-lad; we’ll take to water again." ’ The cheerful note in his voice bolstered my own courage. We swam straight this time, with steady stroke, our eyes scanning the bank we were approaching. And the canoe was there, smuggled under the leaning tree, bow to bank, rendered shapeless by a covering of broken branches. We lay hold of the sides, standing waist deep In water, our eyes searching the high bank towering dark above us. There was no movement, no sound, and I lowered the branches one by one into the water, and permitted them to float silently down stream. Concealed by the shade of the great tree I waded cautiously ashore and crept out into a maze of roots.- The higher bank rose sheer before me. To the right there was an opening, as if a trail led down to the river, and revealed there against the upper Bky, something moved. For an instant I could tell no more; then I recognized a human figure stealing cautiously toward me through the gloom. It moved silently as a spirit, and my heart beat fiercely as I rose up and stared. She was close upon me before I was sure. “Rene.” "Oh,” a little catch in the quick whisper; "then—then it is you; how—how did you come here?” I drew her back into the deeper shadow, and told her the brief story in swift words, clinging to her hands, as I held her close. I could not distinbuish her face, but she listened, her soft breath on my cheek. “Oh, I am so glad—so glad, monsieur. I did not know until after I gave the signal. 1-^l,came down here to be sure —to, to say good-by,” she faltered, “and—and saw them waiting.” “Then it was treachery? The purpose was to kill us? Girty lied?” "Yes, monsieur. You —you will not believe I knew ? That I suspected such a thing?” My handclasp tightened. "No, dear, no; go on. Where are the men?" “Most of them, ten or twelve as near as I could make out, are in a ravine at the edg%of the camp, yonder close to the shore. Therd are three others up above here, hiding behind the bank.” "I see; the attack was to be made by those above as we crept along, and if either of us got away those three devils were to complete the JoK” i x CHAPTER XXIII. * In the Woods. "You must get into the canoe, Rene,” I said shortly. "Come, we have no time to lose." "I monsieur?” "Yes, you; I am not going to leave you here for Hamilton to wreak bis rage on. There is no time to argne

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“Never mind that; will yaa go as I } say?” There was a silvery gleam of star on her upturned face, and I could see her eyes, startled, puzzled, half lightened, gazing up into mine. Them the long lashes drooped over them. “Yes, monsieur,” she saai, her lips trembling. “1 will go with you.” The dawn found me with the paddle, but Rene still wide awake. There was a thin, gray fog over tha river, which turned to purple as the light strengthened; and we were at the apex of a great bend, the course of the stream ahead leading into the northwest. That was not our direction, and besides 1 felt If there was pursuit it would be safer far ashore. Just as the sun broke through the mist we came unexpectedly to the mouth of a small stream leading into the main river from the south. So thoroughly was it concealed by a thick growth of bushes, that we would have slipped by, had I not been skirting the shore closely, seeking some such opening. I headed the canoe straight in, pressing aside the branches to gain passage, and found beyond a narrow creek, up which we managed to paddle for several hundred yards. Then I stepped overboard, and dragged the light craft still higher, until I discovered a place of concealment behind a huge rotting log. Hero we left it, Rene and 1 bearing with us the guns and our small store of provisions. I had cut a cane for Brady, and, with Its help; he managed to get along slowly, although sight of his face made my heart ache. Thus in single file we waded up the tiny stream, until we attained a ledge of rocks where our feet would leave no trail. Over these we tolled, helping each other, until we came to the upland, into an open forest, carpeted with autumn leaves. By this time Brady was too exhausted to go further, sinking helplessly on the grourfd. Rene also looked worn and heavy-eyed, and I had no heart to urge them on. We ate sparsely of what food we had, but Brady barely touched his portion. I wrapped him in our only blanket, and the three of ns slept It was the gray dawn when mademoiselle awoke me, shaking me soundly ere I could be aroused. That ’something was wrong I perceived instantly from the expression of her face, and sat up, glancing hastily about, expecting the approach of savages. "What is Itr "He is gone, monsieur! Monsieur Brady is gone." “Gone! You mean left camp. Why that is impossible; he could barely walk.” "But he is not here, monsieur,” she insisted. "See; it was there he lay. I will tell you all I know... I woke up in the night and thought of him, of how hard It was for so strong a man to be so weak and ill. Then I got up and went over quietly to be sure he was all right But he waß awake, monsieur, staring up at the sky with eyes wide open. He saw me, and said he was nervous and could not sleep. No, he told me he was not in pain, but complained of being cold. I spread more leaves over him, and he said that was better. Then —then he took my hand and kissed it, and begged me to go back and—and lie down. He was very nice and gentle, and smiled at me. So I went back, and crept into my leaves, and tried to sleep. He did not move, yet I lay there a long while thinking. I—think I cried a little, monsieur, for I felt so sorry. At last I slept again. It waß just a little light when I awoke once more, and my first memory was of him. I went over there and —and he was gone. I could ape where he had rested in the leaves, and the blanket on the ground, but—but he was not there. I sought for him, but there was no trace —nothing. So I came and woke you.” I was on my feet, a feeling of dread tugging at my heart I felt that I already knew what had happened, yet I could not tell her—not now, not until I was sure. “He could not have gone far, Rene,” I said hastily. "Perhaps to the river for a drink. Come, we will see.” The ground abdut the camp had beep so trampled by our feet that, at first, I could not pick up the trail. Finally, taking a wider circle, I came upon softer soil and the imprint of his moccasins. I knew they were his because of one foot dragging, and the impression of his cane. They led down toward the river, and I followed swiftly, the girl close behind, until we stood at the edge of the stream. The man’s trail ended there. I explored the bank for some distance up and down, but without result. There were tears glimmering in Rene’s eyes, as I came back —she also was beginning to understand. Without a word I waded out into the water, and swam across to the other shore. There was nothing there —no sign, no mark of any description—and I came back to where she waited, wading out with dripping garments to the hank. "There —there was nothing, monsieur?" “Nothing," I answered gravely. "He has not crossed over." I hesitated an instant, but could not resist the questioning horror In her eyes. "Yon understand, do you not?” “You—you think," ahe faltered; “that

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

Monsieur Bkady has—has killed himself?” / j , “He has given bras life, for others, my gtri —for you an<f me, ants those soldiers of St. Claim’s.” , She stood a moment, silent, tears on cheeks, looking blindly oat at the water. Then she sank upon her knees, holding the crucifix her face. I could see the movement of her lips, but heard nothing; only I knew that she prayed for his soul, and my own eyes were moist as I knelt beside her. Then I lifted her up by the band, and vye went back ay the hill to the camp, There was nothing to hope for in wafting, and all! our duty lay beyond. Without’ the exchange of a word we parked what few things we- had, and started, following the bank of the stream. It was a raw November m era tag that We came unexpectedly upon St. Clair’s outposts. The ground was covered with snow, and the little pools were skimmed over with thin lee. It had teen too cold to rest, mid l we had walked much of the night, afraid to build a fire. Chilled to? the marrow by the icy wind that swept through the trees and buffeted us, 1 had wrapped the girl in our only blanket, fastening it about her head and face, hurt as I did so by the dumb, patient, bewildered look in her eyes. She tried to protest, yet at my first etern word ceased and wrapped herself closely in the folds. I was In front, breaking the trail that she might have easier marching, when suddenly a man stepped out of a thicket, and with gun at my breast roughly commanded a halt. I paused instantly, uncertain as to which side the challenger was on, yet a glance at his face and dress reassured me. “Who are yer, an’ what do yer want?” he asked suspiciously. "I am an officer of the Fort Harmar garrison,” I answered, “with news from the north. To what command do you belong?” “The Kentucky militia,” he acknowledged sullenly. “Colonel Oldham." “Where is your colonel?” “Back yonder on that rise o’ ground; you kin go on, but I’ll keep an eye on yer.” We left him, following the direction pointed out, hearing him call to some one In our rear, yet paying no heed.

"He Has Given Hit Life for Others, My Girl ”

The very ease with which he had passed us on was evidence enough of lax discipline, and small conception of the danger of the command. There was a plain track through the snow, which led to a camp fire blazing cheerily In a grove of trees, with maybe a dozen men clustered about It. No one appeared to notice us as we drew near. “Which ie Colonel Oldham?" I asked, glancing about the group. One stood up, a smooth-faced, ruddycheeked man of fifty, with iron-gray hair, and eyes that looked as if they laughed easily. 1 liked him at first glance. “That is my name,” he said shortly. "What is it? St. Denis, man!” as bis glance swept over me, "you look sb if you had been far from the settlements and had a hard trip." “I have, sir; I come from the Maumee. I am an officer of regulars with news of Importance for St. Clair.” Every eye was on me now and Oldham took a step nearer. “The Maumee!” be exclaimed. “Ay, that is a journey. News for St. Clair, you say—what news? There was a rumor down below that the Indians of the northwest were mustering. Know you anything of that?” "They have already mustered, sir. I was at their rendezvous. Even now they are at my heels —the whole of them, Shawnees, Miamis, Delawares, Wyandots and, for all I know, as many more. There are white renegades with them, and English officers I suspect— I saw Hamilton myself on the Maumee, and he evidently was managing affairs.” There was a muttering of voices, and Oldham let out an oath. , “Well, sir, I believe it, but I'll be hanged if you can make SL Clair, The arrogant old fool may listen to you, but I doubt even that. He .thinks this is a pleasure party we are* on. What do you think he did a week ago?" I looked at him uncomplaining, stunned by such mutinous words openly spoken. "Sent back a whole regiment of regulars on a wild-goose chase after deserters, and we within fifty miles of the Miami towns," “What force have you here?" "Less than fourteen hundred—alt militia but one regiment From the Maumee, ensign? And did yott come through alone with that squaw?"

I glanced back at her, standing silently behind me, the blanket drawn over her head and f*ce. "Take it off, Rene,? 1 I saief quietly. “Yes,. monsieur.” /' Her hands obediently threw the wrapping aside, permitting it to drape over her shoulders. She lifted her head, and stood facing them, with eye* centering upon Oldham. Ho gasped, and jerked the hat from off Ms head. "I beg your pardon,” he stammered. “A white woman?" “A French girl, sir, whom I found with the W ran dots. Can you send us back to St, Clair?” He stared at her so long, 'hat still in hand, that I thought he did not bear. An officer touched him on the shoulder and spoke a word. “Ah, yes, eertainly—St GSalr. At once, sir,, hut 1 don’t envy you your reception. ,By Jove, I lost my wits seeing such a woman as that here in this hole. Someqne send Masters here..” ; He come quickly, a youngish lad, with white hair and eyebrows, but intelligent face, who neve® took his eyes off Rene. Oldham spoke brusquely. “Take this officer and the —the lady to General St Clair at once. Tell Butler I say it is important, that he be given immediate interview. Here, wait! get the lady a horse somewhere. Captain, can he take yours?” “With pleasure, sir; I will f&tch the animal.” They watched us depart until we bad crossed the ridge, Masters and I trudging through the snow at the horse’s head. Rene had drawn up her blanket, t>ut I could see her eyes watching me, when I glanced around at her. It was not long, however, until we came out of the forest, into a bit of lowland near the river, where a dozen tents, grimy and dirty looking, stood on the bank. There were soldiers everywhere, gathered about the camp fires, with a few guards patrolling beats along the forest edge. Masters led the way through the motley crowd up to the central tent There was delay there, Rene sitting motionless in the saddle, and I waiting impatiently beside her. At last Mastere came back. "He will see you, sir.” "Very well; are there any women In camp?” “A few, sir; ‘non-com’ wives mostly, washerwomen and cooks; they are In those two tents there—the officers’ kitchens.” “Take the lady over there, and leave her In good hands. Rene." She looked down at me. “Yes, monsieur." , "This soldier will take you to some women who will take care of you until I come. You will wait for me." "Yes, monsieur.” I waited until they started, and then advanced to the tent. A tall, slender man, in a colonel’s uniform, pointed the way within, and I stepped through the narrow opening. The Interior was plain—a bearskin stretched on the ground, two officers on campstools against the canvas; a sentry beside the open flap standing motionless; a rude table of one unplaned board, and behind It, seated, St. Clair. He was a spare man, with broad shoulders and prominent nose, wearing a long queue of thick, gray hair, which was plainly visible below his three-cornered hat. He was attired in blanket coat, with hood dangling down hiß back. I had met him once, but it was clear he retained no recollection of me, as he surveyed me coldly across the table. “Well, sir,” he snapped, “Colonel Oldham says you bring news. Who are you?” "Ensign Hayward of Fort Harmar,” I answered, bringing my hand up In salute. “I was sent with a message to the Wyandots.” The stern lines of his face broke into a grim smile. "Ah, yes, I recall that. One of Harman's fool notions. Told him as much when I got back. Well, your peace offering didn’t do much good, did it? I hear there Is hell brewing in those north woods." "It Is already brewed, sir. The tribep have got together to crush you. They rendezvoused on the Maumee.” "Huh! that is a ways away. No great danger from that source till we’re ready. What tribes were there, do you know?” “I saw them, sir; Wyandots, Pottawattomies, Shawnees, Delawares and Miamis. There werp also some Ojibwas, and a sprinkling of others, mostly young warriors.” “Who heads the conspiracy?” “Little Turtle, of the Miamis, but there are Englishmen with them also; Hamilton himself was there.” “The cursed hound; so you were there, with them, hey? A prisoner?” “Yes, general; a. scout named Stephen Brady and I. We got away by means of a canoe on the river.” “Where is Brady? I know the old coon." “He died, sir, and 1 came on alone.” No one spoke, and I went on. “It was a hard journey, and there were many delays on the way. I came as quickly as I could, sir, but I don’t think the savages are far behind." “Oh, don’t you, Indeed,” sarcastically. “It was not advice I was asking, and as to what is in front of us my own scouts keep me posted. You’re young, and easily frightened. I happen to know there Isn’t a hostile Indian within fifty miles of us—not a bloody one. I don’t care what they do up on the Maumee. We’ll go on to the Miami towns tomorrow, raze thqm, and be back to the Ohio before that bunch gets started. I doubt if there is a shot fired. It’s all a big bluff, sir; we’ve got them frightened half to death. I wrote Washington so a month ago." (TO BE CONTINUED.) Fruit of Evil Associations. , Go with mean people and yon think the World Is mean —Emerson.

SUMMER WORK IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Cauliflower Requires a Rich Soil and Can Utilize to Advent age Heavy Applications of Manure.

(By L. M. BENNINGTON.)

Such vegetables as cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and onions utilize to the best advantage heavy applications of manure. Plenty of potash and phosphoric acid should be used with all vegetables, and particularly with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and root crops. Lime is the best preventive of clubfoot in cabbage. It doesn’t always prevent this disease, but It is usually effectual. By having vegetables at the earliest possible date you will he able to catch the first customers and hold them during the whole of the summer season. Telephonic communication with all available markets and private customers Is a necessity to the gardener, if he desires to keep posted and take orders for his produce. When possible it is best to grow vegetables on a large scale, to sell to the wholesale trade, instead of retailing. The successful gardener finds his time too valuable to peddle his vegetables. A firm and compact seed bed, bringing the seed into intimate contact with moist soli, is the secret of quick germination, providing the ground is warm and the depth of covering not too great. Soils that are heavily manured for cabbage, lettuce, celery and other crops will not need very much manure the following year, when planted with tomatoes, peppers and root crops, especially if a fair amount of commercial fertilizer is used. Vegetables of a distinct leafy nature, as cabbage, kale, lettuce a®d spinach, utilize to good advantage heavy applications of nitrogen, while large amounts of this element applied to tomatoes, peppers and eggplants would be disastrous by encouraging an excessive growth of leaves, without much fruit. Home-mixed fertilizers are the most desirable for the market gardener. Nearly every gardener grows a diversified list of vegetables, which vary more or less in food requirements, and the feeding problem is entirely under his control when the rations are mixed at home. When green manure crops are plowed under there is more or less tendency of such material to sour the land, and appllcatipns of lime after plowing under such crops sweeten the soil and secure a more favorable con-

FORCE THE RHUBARB PLANT FOR WINTER

(By E. VAN BENTHUYSEN.)

Many gardeners are now making rhubarb the paying crop by forcing it for the late winter sale. It does not make much difference whether rhubarb is-grown in .the light or darkness, and for this reason it is easily forced in any kind of building that will protect it from frost, or in cellars. Plants should be plowed out late in the fall, after the first hard frost, and the roots should then be divided and placed on top ot the ground, with sufficient soil oyer them to protect them from the air. » After they, have been slightly frozen they may be set in a root-cellar, or any building which is heated, packed close

Prolific Rhubarb Grown in New York State.

dition for the growth of clover. It le very Important to work in clovers as often as possible, and a sweet soil Is necessary to get good results with them. Cultivation should begin early. Cultivators with not less than twelve small teeth or shovels are beat for small truck crops, because they leave the soil in ideal condition, and are the best conservers of soil moisture. A loose and friable soil stimulates a steady and rapid growth. * Packages most be neat and clean. As a rule small packages are beßt early in the season when the prices are high, and large packages for the main crop. Use standard sized packages and give f14.1l measure. Crops must be gathered in proper condition and sent* to market fresh and clean. Careful grading is essential. A few inferior specimens In a package are the first to attract attention. Even a few specimens will knock off more from the price of the package than they are worth.

MANY ADVANTAGES IN KEEPING RECORD

Dairyman Is Enabled to Weed Out His Herd and Retain Only Money Makers. i Accurate records of each cow’s milk yield enable us to weed out the herd and retain only the money makers. They serve as a tab on the milkers. If the cows are not milked clean the fact is discovered* Poor milking by hired help is discouraged, and the drying off from imperfect milking reduced to a minimum. The cow’s daily record is an excellent barometer of her physical condition. Derangements are more quickly discovered and checked, and better methods of feeding are encouraged. Both owners and help are stimulated to increase the product, and It educates them in the matter of dairy economy. • They induce better business methods in the management of the business, a place where business methods have been too long ignored. They serve as an excellent guide in selecting heifers that are to be raised to replace the cows we annually (US' card from the herd. C. M. S.

together, and covered with very rich soil. It is best to cover the crowns from four to six Inches. Care should be taken not to overwater the plants. Rhubarb may also be forced in unheated buildings, provided they are covered with glass, particularly in the warmer climates. ? Rhubarb, forced in this way, does not develop very large leaves, and the stalk is very much sweeter than that grown out-of-doors. It is also blanched, and if the proper care is taken it may be produced almost white, and very tender and palatable. Sometimes when grown in the dark the stalk produoed la a dark cherry red.