Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-08
them hostile way, its old friendliness as d.
as hopes of the summer.

them hostile way its old friendliness as dead
as hopes of the summer.
| A ND so at last they came to his cabin. stark
- against the stark landscape. ineffably ST.
lent. Lars lifted Petronilla from the sleigh and
led her to the door. which he opened. Within
Matthews lay on the bed in heavy sleep; his
coat and cap were bundled on the chair Lars
had been carving for Petronilla. Lars threw
them on the bench and then pointed to the
| chair.
"Sit down. he said. THAT was always to
| be your chair
for the first time she spoke. and her voice
sounded strange in both their ears.
He she said. pointing to Matthew'S
why is he here? He's sick
mo. not sick. l think" said Lars with
shade of contempt. and his eyes rested on
/ brandy bottle the floor by the bed.
He went over to the sleeper and shook him
heartily. Slowly Matthews raised on his elbow.
| He stared at Lars, and then he saw Petronilla
and leaped to his feet.
| You'll he cried, and came to her.
But Petronilla put her hands over her face.
Let me alone. both of you'll" she said, and fell
to sobbing.
| Matthews rushed at Lars You DEVIL" he
shouted. What have you done to her?
| His eyes wild and staring, his face
shaven, his hair matted. 1t was no wonder.
Lars thought, that Petronia had turned from
him. Lars thrust him on the bench.
/
He sat down heavily at the table and looked
about him. There were the rough walls he
had planned to cover with precious furs for
Petronilla after they were married. There was
| the bed which had been made soft for her.
There was the floor to be made warm with
skins-and he curled his mouth with distaste
as he saw it's untidyness. The stove too. it was
choked. and he rose as if to care for it; then he
sat down again and looked at the two before
him.
Listen to me, you two!" he repeated.
| Matthews stared modify at the floor; Pc
tronilla looked futteringly. first at him and
| then at Lars
I DON'T know what l meant to do with them
both at first" Lars said slowly; kill them.
think. But he was helpless. 1 could have
killed him as easily as I'd shoot squirrel. and
he had taken my salt. besides. And she. she
waist with my hands,
1t was not as if he spoke to them at ALL but
to some silent powerful Judge who would
derstand him better than he could understand
himself.
so then it came to me to leave him here and
go to her. think at first meant to see if what
he said was true; for he seems such weakling
to me. He steals my brandy that 1 keep for
clean my floor in return. Why shouldn't he
lie? So went to face her. l meant to speak
to her. to say. Can you love that weakling?
Or do you not love me stil?' l thought she
/ might De uRnt enough 10 say, NO, not you anu
not him; still another. Then should have
made her father send her back to Seattle; for
she would not be fit to breed sons for the North
She would be just big enough to trip up and
down paved streets and gaze into shop win
dows and laugh with little minds
Petronilla. crouched back. was staring at
him terrified her fingers fumbled with the
carving on the arms of her chair. Matthews
stirred uneasly on the bench.
when l saw her." went on Lars. then it
came to me what to do. She must come here.
The ultimate place. he called this once. 1t is
a bleak ultimate place. l have learned here
without book or teacher all the truths can
learn in lifetime. There is nothing here-no
priest. no marriage. no men. streets-noth-
ing but the silence and God. the stars and the
winds and the SHOWS. All these are my brothers
and my teachers.
He paused long time; then his tone lost
gentleness and he said sternly. $50 shall you
two Learnt Let the man here show what stuff
| is in him! Let the woman find if she has soul!
You two shall live here and serve each other
and MEL
Petronilla covered her face with her hands,
while Matthews spoke.
You will not" he began.
Kill you in the dark" finished Lars con-
temptuously. No; you shall stay here I'M
harmed. my guests till the spring.
- '