, 1911-08-31
1910. by Bobbs- Merrill
Company.

why is she following us? why 40
they want to kill me? If you would
only give me a chance to prove that
II Is all a mistake-that r.
Croisset reached out and took his
hand.
"M'seur, I would like to help you"
he interrupted. 81 liked you that night
we came in together from the fight on
the trail. | have liked you since. And
yet, II ! was in their place. 7 would
kill you wen though | like you. It 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
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. will tell you nothing more.
Are you hungry, m'seur?"
Starved" said Rowland.
He stumbled a 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. To him this
meant that Me'eese had not only
warned him. but was now playing an
active part in preserving his life. and
this conclusion added to his p%erplexity.
Who was this girl who a few hOurs be-
fore had deliberately lured him among
his enemies and who was now fighting
to save him? The question held a
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 a few
things out of my system. | believe this
Meleese of yours is a bad woman"
Like a fash Croisset struck Mt the
bait which Rowland threw IL to him.
He leaned n little forward. a hand
quivering on his knife. his eyes fash
ing fire. ~Involuntarily the engineer
recoiled from that animal-like crouch.
from tho 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
cav that nhnYtf ~ Mariana and un~f
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 Croisset to listen to 1t here. I
will kill you unless you take it back"
Cod" breathed Rowland. He look
ed straight into Croisset's face. I'm
glad-it's so-Jean." he added slowly.
Don't you understand, man? l love
her. I didn't mean what I said. Il
would xiii for her, too. Jean. I said
that to find out-what you would do"
Slowly Croisset relaxed. a faint smile
curling his thin lips.
III 1t was a joke. m'seur. it was oil
bad one"
ut wasn't a joke" cried Rowland
1T was a serious effort to make you tell
me something about Meleese. Listen
Jean. She told me back there that III
was not wrong for me to love her. and
when l 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'seurT
Il swear it."
Then you are fortunate" smiled
Jean softly. "for | will stake my hope
In the blessed hereafter that she has