Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-07-21

pile on the counter, and her face grew
white. "Then it's true? Oh. Poleon!"
He smiled and spoke cheerily. eyes.
been t'inkin' bout dis trip long TAM"
Its the wanderlust," murmured
Burrell to himself. Hell never rest"
What child you are!' cried Necia.
half angrily. Cant you conquer that
rowing spirit and settle down like
MANI" She laid her hand on his arm
appealingly. Haven't told you there
isn't any far countryT"
He laughed aloud, for all the world
as If the sun were bright and the fret
for adventure were still keen In him,
then. picking up his bundle. said:
"Dere's no use argue wit Canayen
man. Mebbe some day come pad
die back roun' de ben down yonder
an you hear me singln' dose chanson.
But now de day she's too fine, de river
she's laugh too loud, an de birds she's
sing too purity for Frencheman to stop
on shore. Ba gosh. I'm glad!" He
began to hum. and they heard him
singing all the way down to the river
bank us if the spirit Of youth and
hope and gladness were not dead
within him:
"Chante. rossignol. chanteI
Toi qui lie occur gal;
Tu as lie occur rire
Mai j'>l alta pleurer
II longtemps que J. t'aime
Jamaise je ne t'oublierai."
using. little bird: oh. sing away,
You with the voice SO light and gay!
Yours is a heart that laughter cheers.
Mine is heart that's full of tears.
Long have 1 loved: love her yet.
Leave her ! can, but not forget."l
A moment later they heard him ex-
postulating with some one at the wa
ter's edge, and then child's treble
rose on high.
"No. no! Pm goin', too. I'm goin'.
too-o-o-o''-
"Hey! John Caller called Poleon.
Come ere! Ba gosh. you better hor.
ry too! can't hol' dis Teller long!"
When they appeared on the bank
above him. he continued. Look ere
wat fin on my batteau." and held
up the wriggling form of Johnny Gale.
He's stow hisse'f away onder dem
blanket. Sacre! He's bad Teller, dis
man-don' pay for hees ticket at all;
he's regular tof mug"
1t took the efforts Of Necia and the
trader combined to tear the lad from
the Frenchman. and even then the
foul deed was accomplished only at
the cost Of such wild acclaim and evi.
dence of undying sorrow that little
Molly came hurrying from the house,
her round face stained and fearful, her
mouth an inverted crescent. She had
gone to the lame puppy for comfort
and now strangled him absentminded-
ly in her arms. clutching him to her
breast so tightly that his tongue lollcd
out and his three legs protruued stlffly,
paving m aimless pantomime. When
Johnny found that no hope remained
he Quellcd his demonstrations of emo
ton and, lis beftted stout hearted
| gentleman OF the woods. bore final
| present to his friend. He took his lit
tie air gun and gave 1t into Po!eon's
hands against that black night when
the bears would come, and no man
ever made greater sacrifice. Doret
picked him up by the elbows and
kissed him again and again. then set
him down gently, ut which Molly
scrambled forward and without word
| or presentation speech gave him her
hearts first treasure. She held out
the three legged puppy. for Il gun and
6nU Shnn11 On
being of the womankind aforesaid, she
began to cry us she kissed her pet
goodby on its cold, wet nose.
Watts dis?" said Poleon. and his
voice quavered, for these childish fin
gers tore at his heartstrings terribly.
"He's very brave doggie." said the
little girl. HE will scare de bears
away" And then she became dis
solved in tears ut the anguish her offer
ing cost her.
The time had come for the last good
bE-that awkward moment when HUI
man hearts are full and spoken words
are empty. Burrell grlpped the French
mans hand. He was grateful, but he
did not know.
Good luck and better hunting," he
saidt"a heavy purse and n light heart
for you always, Polcon. have learned
to love you"
Il want you to be good husban',
m'sieu'. OATS de bcs' ting 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
dren 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:
II hope SO, brother. God love you
always"
1t was grief ut losing a playmate. a
dear and well beloved companion. He
knew it well, and lie was glad now
that he had never said word Of love
to her. 1t added to his pain, but 1t
lightencd hers, and that had ever been
his wish. He gazed ON her for long
moment, taking in that blessed image
which would ever live with him.
"Goodby, III GAL" he said. then
dropped her hand and entered his ca
noe With one great stroke lie drove 1t
out and into the flood, then headed
away toward the mists and colors Of
the distant hills. where tho orooda