Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-19


She had washed them before he finished |
shaving. Then she took down the old |
violin from the wall and began to play, |
her low. sweet voice accompanying the |
instrument in a Cree melody which To- |
waka had taught her during JAMS alb
sence at Nelson House and the Whoideaa-
Surprised. he faced her. his eyes glow |
ing as there fell from her lips the gentle
love song of a heart-broken Indian
maiden, filled with its infinite sadness and
despair. He knew the song. II was a
lyric Of the Crees. He had heard 1t pc
fore, but never as 1t came to him now.
sobbing its grief in the low not0 OF the
violin. speaking to him with unreasonable
pathos from the trembling throat OF Me-
lisse
He stood silent until she had finished.
staring down upon her bowed head. When
she lifted her eyes to him he saw that her
long lashes were wet and glistening in
the lamp-glow.
.'It is wonderful. Melissa! You have
made beautiful music for it."
Thank you, JAN"
She played again. her voice humming
with exquisite sweetness the wordless
music which he had taught her. At last
she gave him the violin.
''Now you must play for me-"
IT have forgotten O. great DEAL Melisse."
She was astonished to see how clumsily
his brown fingers Travelled over tne
strings. AS she watched him her neart
thrilled uneasily. 1t was not the old Jan
who was playing for her now. but q new
Jan, whose eyes shone dull and passion
less, in whom there was no stir OF the
old spirit OF the violin. he Wanoereo
listlessly from one thing to another. ana
after q few minutes gave her the instru-
ment again.
without speaking she rose from her
chair and hung the violin upon the wall
"You must practice great DEAL she
said, quietly.
At her movement he. too, rose from his
seat: and when she turned TO him again
he had his cap in his hand. A nash OF
surprise shot into her eyes.
"Are you going so soon. JAM?
'I am tired" he said, in excuse: 1t
has been two days since have slept. Me-
lisse Good night!'
He smiled at her from the door, but the
Good night which fell from her lips
was lifeless and unmeaning. Jan shiv-
cred when he went out. Under the cold
stars he clinched his hands. knowing that
he had come from the cabin none too
Choking back the grief Of this last meet
ing with Melisse he crossed to the COM
pany store.
It was late when Cummins returned
home. Melissa was stiil up: hs LOOKED 60
at her sharply over his shoulder as ne
hung up his coat and hat.
HAS anything come between you ana
JAM" he asked. suddenly. why have
you been crying!
"Sometimes the tears come when am
playing the violin. father. l know OF
nothing that has come between Jan ana
me, only IL don't understand
She stopped, struggling hard to keep
| back the sobs that were trembling In
her throat.
sNeither do 1 understand" exclaimed
the factor. going to the stove to light his
pipe. He gave me his rssienauon -
HE is not going-to leave-the post?'
breathed Melissa.
"He is leaving the service" reiterated
her father. THAT means he cannot long
live at Lac Balm. He says he is going
into the woods, perhaps into Jeans coun-
try Of the Athabasca. Has he told you
more?"
She was upon her knees In front or the
little bookcase. A blinding film burned
in her eyes, She caught her breath.
struggling hard to master herself before
she faced her father again. For mo-
ment the factor went into his room, ana
she took this opportunity Of slipping into
her own, calling Good night to him
from the partly closed door.
The next day it was Croisset who went
along the edge Of the barrens for meat
pack with supplies. 1t was their nrst en-
counter since he had learned that Jan
had given up the service.
'Diable!' he fairly Kissed. standing over
rubber bag. 'Diable. I say. NJ. Jan Tho
reau!'
Frenchman fairly quivering with rage.
Bon jour, M. Jean de Gravois!' he
laughed back. You see am going out
among the foxes"
"The devilsr' snapped Jean.
mo, the foxes. my dear Jean. 1 am
wage for my time in the swamps to the
| west Think Of 1t, Jean! 1t has been
many years since you have trapped there
and the foxes must be eating up the coun-
try .,,n line war. almost .rar,,nr
BLESSED saints, and 1t was l who
He spun upon his heels without another
| word and went straight to Melissa.
post" he announced. fiercely, throwing
out his chest and glaring at her accus-
ingly.
$50 father has told me-" said Melissa.
Her cheeks were coioriess ana there
| were purplish lines under her eyes. but
she spoke with exceeding calmness.
Mon Dieu!' exclaimed Jean, whirling
again, you take it coolly!"
from the store. When he entered the
cabin his dark face betrayed the strain
under which he was laboring, but his
voice was unnaturally calm.
II have come to say goodbye. Melissa,
he said. II am going to prospect Tor .
good trap line among the barrens."
ST hope you will have good luck. JAM"
In her voice, too. was f1rmness almost
metallic.
For the first time in his life Jan held
out his hand to her. She started. and for
an instant the blood surged from her
heart to her face. Then she gave him
her own and looked him squarely and un-
| flinchingly in the eyes.
"Will you wait a moment?" she asked.
She hurried into her room. and scarcely
had she gone before she reappeared again.
this time with flush burning In her
cheeks and her eyes shining brightly.
| She had unbranded her hair and 1t lay
coiled upon the crown Of her head. glis-
tening with crimson sprigs OF bakneesh.
| She came to him q second time and once
more gave him her hand.
II don't suppose you care now, she
said, coldly. and yet laughing in his face.
'I have not broken my promise. 1t was
silly, wasn't 1t?
| He felt as il his blood had been sud-
denly chilled to water, and he fought to
choke back the thick throbbing in his
throat
You promised" He could pot go
further.
"I promised that would not do UP my
hair again until you had forgotten to
love me-" she finished for him. Il will
do it UP now
| He bowed his head, and she could. see
his shoulders CULVER under their thick
caribou coat. Her tense lips parted, and
| she raised her arms as II on the point OF