Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-07-14

potntment than pleasure that he learn
ed the work train was to leave for LIE
Pas late that night instead of the next
day. After u quiet hours rest in his
room, however, his old enthusiasm re,
turned to him. He found himself fe.
verishly anxious to reach lie Pas and
the big camp on the Wekusko. Crois.
sets warning for him to turn back into
the south instead of deterring him
urged him on. He was born a fighter
1t was by fighting that he had forced
his way round by round up the ladder
Of success. And now the fact that his
life was In danger that some mysteri-
Gus peril awaited him in the depths OF
the wilderness. but added a new and
thrilling fascination to the tremendous
task which was ahead of him. He won
dered II this same peril had beset
Gregson and Thorne and If 1t was the
cause Of their failure. Of their anxiety
to return to civilization. He assured
himself that he would know when he
met them at lie Pas. He would dis
cover more when he became a part Of
the camp on the Wekusko-that is. if
the half breeds warning held any sig
nificance at all. and he believed that it
did. Anyway. he would prepare for
developments. So he went to q gun
shop, bought long barreled six shoot
er and holster and added to it hunt
ing knife like that he had seen carried
by Croisset.
1t was near midnight when he board
ed the work train. and dawn was just
beginning to break over the wilderness
when 1t stopped at Etomami. from
which point he was to travel by hand
car over the sixty miles of new road
that had been constructed as far north
as LIE Pas. For three days the car had
been waiting for the new chief of the
road. but neither Gregson nor Thorne
was with 1t.
"Mr. Gregson Is waiting for you at
lie Pas" said one Of the men who had
come with 1t. "Thorne is at Wekusko."
For the first time in his life How
land now plunged into the heart Of
the wilderness. Everywhere lay white
winter. The rocks. the trees and the
great ridges. which in this north coun-
try are called mountains. were cover
ed with four feet Of snow. and on 1t
the sun shone with dazzling brilliancy.
The short northern day was nearing
an end when once more they saw the
broad Saskatchewan twisting through
plain below them. aud on its south
ern shore the few log buildings Of LIE
Pas hemmed in on three sides by the
black forests Of balsam and spruce.
Lights we're burning in the cabins and
in the Hudson Bay posts store when
the car was brought to halt half a
hundred PAGES from squat. log built
illuminated than any Of the others.
That's the hotel" said one Of the
men. "GreGson's there"
A tall. fur clad figure hurried forth
to meet Rowland as he walked brisk
" across the open. 1t was Gregson.
As the two men gripped hands the
young engineer stared at the other in
son he had known in the Chicago Of
fice-round faced. full Of life. as active
as cricket.
"Never so glad to see any one in my ;.
life. Howlandr' he cried shaking the
others hand again and again. AN
other month and I'd be dead. Isn't
this b. Of country?'
every breath. Gregson. What's the
matter? Have you been sick?"
"Sick? Yes. sick of the job! If the
old man hadn't sent us relief Thorne
and l would have thrown up the
whole thing in another four weeks.
I'll warrant you'll get your everlasting
I'll of log shanties and half breeds
and moose meat and this Internal
snow and ice before spring comes.
But don't want to discourage you"
Cant discourage me-" laughed
Rowland cheerfully. "You know l
never cared much for theaters and
girls" he added slyly. giving Gregson
a good natured nudge. How about
'em up here?'
"Nothing-not a cursed thing" Sud
denly bis eyes lighted up. by George.
Rowland. but l did see the prettiest |
girl ever laid my eyes on today!
I'd give box Of pure Havanas-and
we haven't had one for month"; I
could know who she Isl"
"a tall girl. with fur hat and |
queried Rowland eagerly.
Nothing OF the sort She was a
typical northerner If there ever was
as birch. dressed in fur
zap and coat. short caribou skin skirt
and moccasins. and with braid hang
Ing down her back as long as my arm.
Lord. but she was prettyr
isn't there a girl somewhere up
around our camp named Meleese?"
asked Rowland casually.
"Never heard Of her." said Gregson.
"Or a man named Croisset?"
'Never heard Of him."
1.-THE deuce. but you're interesting"
laughed the young engineer. shifting at
he odors Of cooking supper. I'm as
hungry as a bear!'
From outside there came the sharp
of sledge drivers whip and
Gregson went to one of the small win
lows looking out upon the clearing. In
another instant he sprang toward the
loor. crying out to Rowland.
by the god Of love. there she Is. old
nan: Quick. If you want to get a
glimpse Of her."