Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-15


daughter OF the factor at Lac Balm Win
Jan he jumped briskly to his feet, nuns
his cap through the door Of the shack
and began bowling and scraping 70 Ter
with all his might. Ii was wei knowA
in the province OF Lac Balm that man
years before Jean de. Gravois had lost
little brother. who had disappeared ore
day I'm the woods: and there were those
who limited that Ledoq was that brother
for Jean and he We're as Ike a. two pcas
in the ready use OF their tongues. and
were of the same build and the sams
brskness.
Melissa laughed merrily as Ledoq CON-
tinued to bow before her. rafting away
In delighted torrent OF French
"Ah. thes ees wan gr-r-rest compiler
man. Nj selle Melissa. he finished at last.
breaking for an instant into English. lie
Strengthened like spring and turned to
Jan. Did you meet the strange team"
we met no team
Ledoa looked puzzled. Half a mia
away the top of a snow-covercd ridge
was visible from the cabin. lie pointed
to il.
An hour ago I saw il going westward
along the mountain-three men and six
dogs. Whom has you out from Lac
Bain?''
mo one replied Jan. at must have
been the new agent from Churchill We
expect him early this winter. Shall
hurry back. Melissa. and see if he has
brought our books and violin strings"
You must have dinner with me" OBJ
jected Iedoq.
Jan caught quick signal from Me-
lisse.
Not today, Ledoq It's early and va
have lunch for the trail. What DO yoi
say. Melisse?"
IF you're not tired Jan"
Tired
He tossed the last package from thu
sledce and cracked his long whip over the
dogs backs they both cried out their
farewell to the little Frenchman.
Tired he repeated, running close he
side her as the team swung lightly back
into the trail. and laughing down into her
face. How could I ever get tired with
you watching me run. Meiisse?"
Il wouldn't mind IL YOU did-just a lit
tie. Jan. Isn't there room for two?''
She gave a coauettish little shrug of her
shoulders and Ian leaped upon the NOV
ing sledge, kneeling close behind her.
Always. always. I have to ask you,
she pouted You needn't get too near.
you know. if you don't want to-
The old. sweet challenge i'm her voice
was irresistible. and for a moment Jan
felt himself surrendering to Ii. He leaned
forward until his chin was buried i'm the
silken lynx fur of her coat and for n
single breath he felt the soft touch OF
her cheek against his own. Then he gave
a sudden shout to the dogs-so loud that
il startled her-and his whip writhed and
snapped twenty feet above their heads.
like a thing filed with life.
He sprang from the sledCe and again
ran with the team. urging them on faster
and faster until they dropped into a pant
ing walk when they came to the ridgs
along which Ledoq, two hours before, had
seen the strangers hurrying toward Lao
| Balm.
Stop" cried Melissa. taking this first
| opportunity to scramble from the sledge.
| You're cruel to the dogs. Jan. Look at
their jaws-see them pant. Jan Thoreau.
| I've rever seen you drive like that since
the night We We're chased in from the
barrens by the wolves
And did you ever see me run any
| faster" He struggled, dropping eN-
hausted upon the sledge. II remember
only one other time
He took long breath. finsing back
his arms to bring greater volume OF AIR
| into his lungs.
Wasn't that the night we heard the
wolves bowling behind u.s." Melissa asked
mo. il was many years ago. when
heard far to the south. that my little
Melissa was dying of the plague.
Melissa sat down upon the sledge be-
side him without speaking, and nestled
one of her hands little timidly In one
of his big. brown palms.
Tell me about IL. Jan"
THAT was ALL ran"
You wouldn't run as fast for me now.
would you?"
He looked at her boldly and saw that
there was not half of the brilliant f1ush
i'm her cheeks
Il ran for you, Just now-and you dloh Z
like it, he replied.
Il don't mean that" She looked up at
him and her fingers frightened round his
own. Away back-years and years ana
years ago. Jan-you went out TO fight tha
plague. and nearly died in ii for me-
Would YOU do that much again?
II would do more, Melissa.
She looked at him doubtfully, her eyes
searching him as il in quest OF some-
thing in his face which she scarce be-
lfeved in his words. Slowly he rose to his
feet lifting her with him: and when ha
had done this he took her face between
his two hands and looked straight into
her eyes.
Some day ! will do great deal more
for you than that. Melissa. and then
What" she questioned. as he hest
tated.
Then you will know whether | love
YOU as much now | did years ava
years and years ago" he finished, gently
repeating her words.
There was something in his voice mat
held Melissa silent he turned 10
straighten out the dogs; but when he
came back, making her comfortable on
the sledge, she whispered:
Il wish you would do il soon. Brother
JAM"
a