The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-28


into the country was the great interro-
CATION But they were q practical
breed, the men Of the N0rthland. with
q wholesome disregard for theories and
a firm grip On facts. Aud to not a few
OF them Karen Sayther was q most
essential fact. That she did not regard
the matter in this light IS evidenced
by the neatness and celebrity with which
refusal and proposal tailed of during
her four weeks stay. And with her
vanished the fact, and only the interro-
cation remained.
To the solution Chance vOuchsafed
one clue. Her last victim, Jack Cough
ran, having frUitlessly laid at her feet
both his heart and q 500-fOot creek
claim on Bonanza, celebrated the mis-
fortune by walking all Of a night with
the gods. Ia the midWatch of this
night he happened to rub shoulders
with Pierre Fouutaine, none other than
head man Of Karen Sayther's vJy-
ageurs. This rubbing OF shoulders led
10 recognition and drinks, and ulti-
mately involved both men in a COM
mon muddie Of inebriety.
"Heh3' Pierre FOuntaine later on
gurgled thickly. "Vot for Madame
Sayther max visitation TO thees coun-
try2 More better you spik wit her. I
know no ting tall, On'y all de tam her
ask one mans name. Pierre her spik
wit me: Pierre, you mOos find thees
mans. and ] gif you mooch-one thou
sand dollar, You find thees man Thees
man? Al. oui. Thees mans name
yot YOU caII-Daveed Payne. All de
tam her spik das pams. And all de
tam 4 look rount yaire mOOch; work
lax he'll, but no can ind das dam mans,
and no get one thousand dollar tail.
By daIa."
"Oui, madame, thees Is de place. one,
two tree islands below Stuart river.
Thees IS tree island"
As he spoke, Pierre FOuntaine drove
his pole against the bank and he'd the
stern OF the boat against the current.
This thrust the bow ia, till a nimble
half-bTae climbed ashore with the
painted and made fast.
one leel tam, madame. I so look
see"
4 chorus Of dogs marked his dis
appearance over the edge of the bank.
but a minute later he was back again.
"Oui, madame, thees is de cabin. I
max Investigation. No can ind mans
az home. But him no go vaire far.
yaire long, or him no leave dogs. Him
come queek, you bet.'
Help me out. Pierre. I'm tired all
over from the boat. You might have
made &c softer, you know"
From q nest Of furs amidships Ka-
rem Sayther rose TO her full height OF
slender fairness.
StiB. fer all she. careless ease with.
which she had made the landing. there
was a warmer color than usual to her
face, and a DerceDtibiy extra beat 10
her neart
Look. see!' Pierre pointed to the
scattered chips by the woodpile. Him
frcsn-two. tree day, no more"
Mrs Sayther nodded. She tried TO
peer through the small window. but il
was made OF creased parchment. which
admitted light while II blocked vision.
Failing this. she went round TO the
door. half lifted the rude latch to en-
ter. but changed her mind and let It
fan back into place Then she sud
denly dropped on one knee and kissed
The rough hewn threshold. If Pierre
FonIaine saw he gave no sign. and the
memory in the time 10 come was never
shared. But the next instant one Of
the boatmen. nlacidiy lighting his pipe,
was startled by an uuwOnted haFshness
IA his captains voice.
Hey. You, lie Goirei You maxim
soft more better" Pierre commanded
Plenty bearskin: plenty blanket.
DAM
But the nest was soon after disrupted
and the major portion tossed UP TO the
crest of the shore, where Mrs. Sayther
lay down 20 wait in comfort.
All him come thees tam" he Whis-
gered, after "a long silence. his gaze
bent up the river to the head of the
island.
A canoe, with a paddle flashing on
either side was slipping down The cur
rent In the stern. q mans form and
in the bow a woman's, swung rhythmi-
cally to the work Dipping long strokes
and strong the girl, in concert with
the man. suddenly Whirled the tiny
craft about against the current and
brought it gently to the shore. An
other instant and she stood at the top
OF the bank, heaving up by rope, hand
under hand, a quarter Of fresh killed
moose. Then the lman followed her
and together. with a swift rush, they
drew up the canoe. The dogs were in
whining mass about them, and as
the girl stopped among them carTess-
iugly. the mans gaze fell upon Mrs.
Sayther, who had risen. He looked,
brushed his eyes uncOnsciously as
though his sight were deceiving him.
and looked again.
Karen" he said simply, coming for
ward and extending his hand, Il
thought for the moment was dream
ms. I went snowbliud for a time this
spring. and since then my eyes have
been playing tricks with me-"
''XOu know, Dave, threatened often
10 come, and j would have, too, only
only"
only I didn't give the word,f David
Payne laughed and watched the In
dian girl disappearing into the cabin.
oh, 1 understand. Dave, and Had 7
been in your place I'd most probably
have done the same. But 1 have come
now.
Then come Htue BIT further into
the cabin and get something To eat
he said genialiy. ignoring or missing
the feminine suggestion Of appeal in
her voice. and you must be tired.
too. Which way are you travelling?
Up Then you wintered in Dawson. or
came ia on the last ice. Your camp"
FTe glanced at the voyageurs circled
about the fire ia the open, and held
back the door FOR her 10 enter.
II came up on the ice from Circle
CITY last winter" he continued, "and
settled down here for awhile. Am pros
pecting some on Henderson creek, and
If that fails, have been thinking Of try
ING nv hand this fan up the Stuart
riverE
.-You aren't changed much. are you %
She asked frrelevantIy, striving to
throw the conversation upon a more
personal basis.
"A little less flesh. perhaps, and a
little more muscle. How old you
mean27
But she shrugged her shoulders and
peered through the dim light at the
Indian girl. who had lighted the fre