Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-08

Don't you see, said Matthews, Il am
part of the life she knows? She wants me to
take her back there. When make strike"
docs Petronilla say she does not love me2"
She thought she did; but she mistook her
feeling"
You had better go back to Sleep said
Lars, and lay down again.
Matthews tossed on the bed, wondering
wretchedly about the silent struggle going on
in the soul of the man who lay quietly behind
the stove. Somehow. Matthews knew the
other was vast as the North. and as still and as
strong. When would his passion break out.
and what would he do then1
IN the morning Lars silently got breakfast, and
Matthews watched him. unwilling to break
the silence, and yet fretful because of it. When
the meal was over. Lars spoke.
Il am going away. Don't waste the stores
Going away9 But wherea I can't stay
You must stay herel" said Lars. What
growing deeper. You were almost dead when
l found you. You have no food. will not
give you any to pack on your sleigh. If you,
find you and kill you with my two handsl ]
shall find you if have to walk over every foot
of the North! You will stay here. Be careful
of my stores
But l. Will you be gone long?"
THAT is it may be-"
Lars put on his cap and huge coat and went
out to pack his sleigh. Matthews could hear
him among the dogs. He listened, sullenly
whip, the snarl of the leader. Lars did not
come back to the house. He rode off, with not
even a glance toward the figure of his guest in
the doorway.
had suddenly turned hostile. Time was when
the great North was his ally, when the silence
was his brother and the long white way was his
friend; but now behind him the great North
lay like an urging menace; the wind blinded
his eyes; the cold stung his face. His own hot
blood whipped in his veins and kept him alive
and strong, and at night. when he made camp
the thought of his purpose made him careless
of waiting wolves. Indifferent to the many
miles between him and PetrOnllla.
Just outside of Carson he rested for few
days with a friend, halfbreed, who kept silent
as to his arrival When the dogs were re-
freshed. Lars sent the halfbreed for food with
which to pack the sleigh, and at nightfall he
went to the cabin of John Peters.
DETRONILLA came to the door. How fair
she was. with her golden hair and slim fig.
ure! Her eyes widened with terror when she
recognized him.
You need not be afraid" he said. II would
not hurt you. Put on your cap and coat
But IL Have you seen Jack?"
Il have talked with him. He is well. Put
on your cap and coat.
Il But why?"
Come. comet he said impatiently, but
still gently. Il can't watt
He spoke to his dogs. pushed Petronilla to
one side, and entered the cabin. He found her
cap and coat and fur gloves. and. still gently,
put them on her. Your father is not here7
But perhaps that is WELL" He lifted her in
his arms and carried her to the sleigh.
Then for the first time she tried to scream;
but no sound came.
Il tell you 1 will not harm you'll" said
Lars.
He mushed the dogs and then pushed north
ward out of the village Petronilla shook VIC
1ently; but was still voiceless. On they rode,
past the last village cabin, past the house OF
the halfbreed, who came to the door and
watched them. on and on. until Petronills
asked. with attempt at lightness:
when do we turn back?"
1--WE do not turn back" Lars replied.
Then Petronilla screamed. again and again,
but her voice was lost in the great silence. and
Lars was impassive. Only when she began to
moan he said sharply:
Don't do thatl I tell you I will not hurt
you'll
But where are you taking me1" she
shrieked. What do you mean?"
Il am taking you to my cabin. He is there
Matthews"
Il don't want to go. I don't want to see
him. l want to stay with my father
Lars made no answer. To beat herself
against his impassivity was as futile as to