The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-12-26
PAGE SEVEN

tale. Hes stow hisse'f away onder
dem blanket. Sacre! He's had fell
Ter, dis man-don' pay for hees ticket
at all; ~he'sreg'lar tooff mug"
1t took the efforts of Nicola ana
the trader combined to tear the lad
from the Frenchman, and eve then
then foul deed was accomplished
only at the cost of such wild acclaim
and evidence of undying sorrow that
little Molly came hurrying from the
house, her round face stained n
fearful, her mouth an inverted cres-
cent. She had gone to the lame pup
ply for comfort and now strangled
him absentmindedly in her arms.
clutching him to her breast sc tight
ly that his tongue lolled out and his
three legs protruded stiffly, paving
an aimless panromime. When john
ny found that no hope remained he
quelled his demonstrations of emo
ton and, as beftted a stout hearted
gentleman Of the woods, bore a final
present to his friend. Ice took his lit
tie air gun and gave it into Poleon's
hands against that black night when
the bears would come, and no man
ever made u greater sacrifice. Doret
picked him up by the elbows and
kissed him again and again, then set
him down gently. at which Molly
scrambled forward and without word
or presentation speech gave him her
hearts first treasure. She held out
the three legged puppy, for a gun and
a dog should ever go together; then,
being of the womankind aforesaid, she
began to cry as she kissed her pet
goodby on its cold, wet nose.
"W'at's dis? !" said Poleon, and his
voice quavered, for these childish fin.
gers tore at his heartstrings terribly.
Hes a very brave doggie," said the
little girl. HE will scare de bears
away" And then she became dis
solved In tears at the anguish her offer
ing cost her.
The time had come for the last good
by-that awkward moment when hui
man hearts are full and spoken words
are empty. Burrell gripped the French
mans hand. He was grateful, but he
did not know.
Good luck and better hunting" he
said, "a heavy purse and a light heart
for you always, Poleon. I,have learned
to love you"
II want you to be good husban'.
m'sieu'. OATS de bes' ting l can wish
for you"
Gale spoke to him in patois, and all
he said was:
MAY you not forget, my SON."
They did not look into each others
eyes. There was no need. The old
man stopped and, taking both his chill
dTen by The hand, walked slowly TO-
ward the house.
"Dis tam I'll fin 1t for sure" smiled
POleon to Necia.
Her eyes were shining through the
tears, and she whispered %fervently:
81 hope so, brother. God love you--
always"
1t was grief at losing a playmate, a
dear and well beloved companion. He
knew 1t well, and he was glad now
that he had never said a word of love
to her. 1t added to his pain, but it
lightened hers, and that had ever been
his wish. He gazed on her for a long
moment, taking in that blessed image
which would ever live with hin.
"Goodby, III gal" he said, then
dropped her hand and entered his ca
noe. With n great stroke he drove It
out and into the flood, then headed
away toward the mists and colors Of
the distant hills, where the breads
were calling to him. He turned for
n last look and flung his paddle
high; then, rearing lest they might see
the tears that came at last unhindered,
he began to sing:
"Chante, rossignol, chante!
Toi qui a lie occur gal;
Tu as lie occur q rire
Mai j. L alta pleurer."
He sang long and Justify, keeping
time to the dip Of his flashing paddle
and defying his bursting heart. After
all, was he not a voyageur and life but
a song and a tear and then a dream
DR. two?
81 wish / might have known him
better" sighed Meade Burrell as he
watched the receding form of the
boatman.
you would have loved him as we
do" said Necia, land you would have
missed him as we will"
II hope some time he will be happy"
"As happy as you, my soldierY
Eyes, but that he can never be-" said
her husband, 'for no man could love
as / love you"
Yours is a heart that laughter cheers.
Mine is a heart that's full of tears.
Long have 1 loved; l love her yet.
Leave her l can, but not forget"
came the voice Of the singer far down
the stream.
And thus Poleon Of the great heart
went away.