Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-18
Croisset. couldn't run for q week"
Croisset was searching In his pock.

"And who is Mariane. Jean7 VIII
she also be In at the 'kinr"
"Mariane is my wife. m'seur. All,
ma belle Mariane. ma cheri. the daugh'
ter of an Indian princess and the
granddaughter Of a chef de bataii'
Ion, m'seur! Could there be better
than that? And she is be-e-e-utiful,
m'seur, with hair like the top side OF
a ravens wing with the sun shining
on 1t, and
"You love her a great deal. JEAN"
"Next to the virgin-and-it may be
a little better"
Crolsset had severed the rope about
the engineers legs. and as he raised
his glowing eyes Rowland reached out
and put both hands on his shoulders.
"And in just that way I love Me-
leese." he said softly. Jean, won't
you be my friend? l don't want to
escape. I'm not a coward. Won't
you think Of what your Mariane might
do and be friend to me? You would
die for Mariane II 1t were necessary.
And l would die for the girl back on
that sledge."
He had staggered to his feet and
pointed into the forests through which
they had come.
II saw her in the freight, Jean.
Why is she following us? Why DO
they want to kill me? II you would
only give me chance to prove that
II Is all mistake-that u
Croisset reached out and took his
hand.
"M'seur, l would like to help you."
he interrupted. II liked you that night
we came In together from the fight on
the trail. have liked you since. And
vet. II was in their place. I would
kill you even though I like you. 1t is
a great duty to kill you. They did not
do wrong when they tied you In the
coyote. They did not do wrong when
they tried to kill you on the trail. But
I have taken a solemn oath to tell you
nothing. nothing beyond this-that so
long as you are with me and that
sledge is behind us your life is not In
danger. l will tell you nothing more.
Are you hungry. m'seur"
STARVED" said Howland.
he stumbled few steps out into the
snow, the numbness In his limbs fore
ing him to catch at trees and saplings
to save himself from falling. He was
astonished at Croisset's words and
more confused than ever at the half
breeds assurance that his life was no
longer In immediate peril. 10 him this
meant that Meleese had not only
warned him, but was now playing m
active part In preserving his life. and
this conclusion added to his perplexity.
Who was this girl who few hours be-
fore had deliberately lured him among
his enemies and who was now fighting
to save him? The question held
deeper significance for him than when
he had asked himself this same thing
at Prince Albert. and when Croisset
called for him to return to the camp
fire and breakfast he touched once
more more the forbidden subject
"Jean, l don't want to hurt your
feelings" he said. seating himself on
the sledge, "but I've got to get few
things out of my system. ! believe this
Meleese Of yours is bad woman"
Like a fash Croisset struck at the
bait which Rowland threw out to him.
He leaned n little forward. a hand
quivering OH his knife. his eyes fash
ing fire. Involuntarily the engineer
recoiled from that animal-like crouch,
from the black rage which was grow
Ing each instant In the half breeds
face. Yet Croisset spoke softly and
without excitement. even while his
shoulders and arms were twitching
like a forest cat about to spring.
"M'seur, no one In the world must
say that about my Mariane. and next
to her they must not say 1t about Me-
leese. Up there" and he pointed still
farther into the north. 81 know OF
hundred men between the Athabasca
and the bay who would kill you for
what you have said. And 1t is not for
Jean Crolsset to listen to 1t here. l
will kill you unless you take 1t back"
"God!" breathed Rowland. He look.
ed straight into Croisset's face. I'm
plad-it's so-Jean." he added slowly.
Don't you understand. man? love
her. didn't mean what said.
would kill for her. too. Jean. said
that to find out-what you would do"
Slowly Crolsset relaxed. faint smile
curling his thin lips.
IF 1t was a joke, m'seur. 1t was q
bad one."
ut wasn't joke" cried Rowland
1T was serious effort to make you tell
me something about Meleese. Listen.
Jean. She told me back there that 1t
was not wrong for me to love her. and
when | lay bound and gagged In the
SNOW she came to me and--and kissed
me. | don't understand"-
Croisset interrupted him.
did she do that, m'seur"
II swear II"
Then you are fortunate" smiled
lean softly. "for will stake my hope
In the blessed hereafter that she has