The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-10-13
Author Of The Spoiless" and
THE Barrier

~ tuVN uTc pieutIlUI
Emerson rose.
Il had no idea there were such prof
its In the fisheries up here"
Nobody knows 1t outside of those
Interested The Kalvik river is the
most wonderful salmon river In the
world for 1t has never failed once
That's why the companies guard it
so jealously."
1t was evident that the young man
was vitality interested now.
what does 1t cost to install and op
crate Il cannery for the first season."
"Abou, 100000. | am told. But l be-
lleye one can mortgage his catch or
borrow money OH it from the banks.
and SO not have to carry the full bur
den
Whats to prevent me from going
into the bnsiness?"
Several things. Have you the mon.
ey?"
the unsupported luxury of the din
ing room and the excellence of the din
ner itself had in measure prepared
Emerson for what he found in the liv-
ing room. One thing staggered him-a
piano The bearskins on the floor, the
big sleepy chairs, the reading table lit.
tered with magazines. the shelves of
books. even the basket of fancy work
all these he could accept without fur
ther parleying. but piano-in Kalvik!
Again Boyd withdrew into that ST.
lent mood from which no effort on the
part of his hostess could arouse him.
and it soon became apparent from the
listless hang of his hands and the dis
tant light in his eyes that he had even
become unconscious of her presence in
the room.
After an hour. during which Emer-
son barely spoke. she tired of Fraser's
anecdotes. which had long ceased to
be amusing. and. going to piano, shut
fed the sheet music idly. inquiring:
do you care for music" Her re-
mark was aimed at Emerson. but the
other answered: My favorite hymn
is the Maple Leaf Rag Let her go.
professor"
Cherry settled herself obligingly and
Of some syncopated measure when
Boyd spoke abruptly. "Please play
something"
She understood what he meant and
began really to play. realizing very
soon that ut least one Of her guests
knew and loved music Under her
def fingers the instrument became a
liJ,y, for
roundelays. swift. passionate Hunga-
rian dances. bold Wagnerian strains
followed in quick succession. and the
more her utter abandon the more GER
tainly she felt the younger man re-
spond. Then her dream filed eyes
widened as she listened to his voice
breathing life into the words. He sang
with the ease and fexibilfty Of an
artist. his powerful baritone blending
perfectly with her contralto.
For the first time she felt the mans
personality. his magnetism. as If he
had dropped his cloak and stood at her
side in his true Semblance
'Oh. thank you" she breathed.
"'rhank you." he said. "I-l-that's
the first time in ages that I've had the
heart to sing. was hungry for mu-
sic: was starving for it. I've sat in
my cabin ut night longing for 1t until
my soul fairly ached with the silence"
He took seat near the girl and con-
tinued to talk feverishly. unable to
give voice to his thoughts rapidly
enough.
Fraser anbled clumsily into the con-
versation. Emerson listened tolerant
~. idly running through the maya
zines at his hand. his hostess watch
ing him covertly. Suddenly the smile
OF amusement that lurked about his
lip corners and gave him a pleasing
look hardened in a queer fashion. He
started. then stared at one of the
pages. while the color died out Of his
brown cheeks. Cherry saw the hand
that held the magazine tremble. He
looked up at her and. disregardiug
Fraser. broke in harshly:
'Have you read this magazineY
mot entirely"
I'D like to take one page Of It."
"Why. certainly" she replied
He produced a knife and with one
quick stroke cut single leaf out of
the magazine. which he folded and
thrust into the breast Of his coat.
THANK you." he muttered, then fell
to staring ahead Of him. again heed.
less OF his surroundings. This abrupt
relapse into his former state of sullen
and defiant silence tantalixed the girl
He offered no explanation and took
NO further part In the conversation
until. noting the lateness Of the hour.
he rose and thanked her for her hos.
pitality in the same deadly. Indifferent
manner.
1.-The music was . great treat" be
said. looking beyond her and holding
aloof. "a very great treat. i enjoyed
it immensely. Good night"
Cherry Malotte had experienced a
new sensation. and she didn't like It.