Putnam patriot., 1911-10-20

,ur HALF BREED CLOSED AND BoLTED THE DOOR.
 humes of his pipe impregnated the aomn air of the room he experienced . sensation of comfort which was in strange contrast to the exciting hap nonings of the past few days.
 He laughed aloud and began pacing hack and forth across the routed floor of his prison And then q flush burned in his face and his eyes glowed as he thought of Meleese. In spite of himself she had saved him from his enemies and he blessed Croisset for having told him the meaning of this flight into the north. Once again she had betrayed him. but this time it was tO save his life. and his heart leaped in joyous faith at this proof of her love for him. He believed that he under stood the whole scheme now. Even his enemies would think him dead They would leave the Wekusko. and after a time. when it was safe for him 10 return, he would be given his free dom.
 With the passing of the hours gloom fer thoughts shadowed these anticipa- hons. In some mysterious way Me leese was closely associated with those who sought his life. and if they disap- peared she would disappear with them He was convinced of that. And tben-could he find her again? Would she go into the south-to civi- amtlon-or deeper into the untrave1ed vidernesses of the north? In answer 10 his question there flashed through bis mind the words of Jean Crodsset. sMseur, know of a hundred men between Atha based and the bay who would kill you for what you have said" Yes. she would go into the north. Somewhere in that vast desc lation of which Jean had spoken he would find her. even though he spent half of his Isa in the search.
 It was past midnight when he spread out the furs and undressed for bed. With the breaking of day the hours seemed of interminable length. For time he amused himself by searching every corner and crevice of his prison room but he found nothing of interest beyond what he had already diScov- cred He examined the door which Cr0isset had barred on him and gave up all hope of escape in that direction He could barely thrust his arm through the aperture that opened ou' on the plague stricken cahin.
 In no situation had he displayed the white feather: at no time had he fell thrill of fear. His courage and reck- lessness had terrified Meleese. had as tenished Croisset. And yet what had he donea From the beginning. from the moment he first placed his foot h the Chinese cafe. his enemies had held the whiphand. He had been com peed to play a passive part. Up to the point of the ambush on the we susko trail he might have found some l vindication for himself. But this eX- rerienee with Jean Croisset-it was enough to madden him. now that he was alone. to think about 1t. W ny had he not taken advantage Of Jean, ss Jackpine and the Frenchman had taken advantage of him?
 He saw now what he might nave done, Somewhere. not very far back. the sIedge carrying Meleese and Jackpihe Lad turned into the, unknown. heE TWO were alone Why had he not Hlaue Croisset prisoner. instead of allowing himself to be caged up like weak Ing? He swore aloud as there daWheu on him more and more realization of the opportunity he had lost. Al the point of a gun he could have forced Croisset 10 overtake the other sledee' He could have surprised Jackpihe. as 'hey had surprised him on the tfail' And then? He smiled. but there was DO humor in the smile. He at hS. would have held the whip hand Ana what would MeIeese have done?
 Meleese loved him. He would have shSed his life on that. His blood leaRed as he felt again the thrill Of her Slsses when she had come to him as ue lay bound and gagged beside the ualL She had taken his head In her arhs, and through the grief or hel 'aee he had seen shining the light ol great love that had glorifed it for all .ne for him. She loved him. And ne uaa let her slip away from him. nao weakly surrendered himself at a mo usht when everything that be dream or night have been within DIS nasp. With Jackpine and Croisset in ns bower
 ne went no further. Was it too iate ' ao these things now? Croisset would 'e'urn With sort of satisfaction !. seurred to him that his actions nau rsarned the Frenchman of suspicion ~ believed that it would be easy U "ercome Croisset. to force him to TOT v" In the trail of Meleese and JacK' rue. And that trailf 1t would prop .0'y lead to the very stronghold Of DIS s-emies. But what of that! he
 'soed his pipe again. putting out eaos Of smoke until the room was
 aTk with 1t That trail would taKe s to Meleese-w wherever she was aefetofore his enemies had come tc