haste. Hanging across the back of a chair was what had once been the
wondrous dress, Poleon's gift, now a damp and draggled ruin, and on
the floor were two sodden satin slippers and a pair of wet silk
stockings. He picked up the lace gown and saw that it was torn from
shoulder to waist. What insanity had possessed the girl to rip her
garment thus?

"She take her 'nother dress; the one I make las' summer," said
Alluna, who had followed him in and stood staring as he stared.

"When did she go, Alluna? For God's sake, what does this mean?"

"I don' know! She come and she go, and I don' see her; mebbe three,
four hour ago."

"Where's Gale? He'll know. He's gone after her, eh?"

The upward glow of the lantern heightened the young man's pallor,
and again the squaw broke into her sad lament.

"John Gale--he's gone away with the knife of my father. I am afraid-
-I am afraid."

Burrell forced himself to speak calmly; this was no time to let his
wits stampede.

"How long ago?"

"Long time."