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

When he came into the cabin for break
fast that morning JAMS face showed
signs OF the struggle through which he
had gone. Cummins had already finished
and he found Melissa alone. Her hair WAS
brushed back in it's Old smooth way; and
when she heard him she flung her long
braid over her shoulder. so that it fell
down in front Of her. He saw the move
ment and smiled his thanks without
speaking.
You don't look well. jan she said.
anxiously. You are pale and your eyes
are bloodshot
Il am not feeling right he admitted.
trying to appear cheerful, but this coffee
Will make new man OF me. You make
the best coffee in the world. Melissa"
How do YOU know. brother" she
asked. Have you drunk any other than
mine since years ago at Churchill and
York factory?'
only Iowaka's. But ! know that yours
is best, from what ! remember of the
coffee at the bay
1T was a long time ago wasn't it,"
she asked, gently. looking at him across
the table. Il dreamed of those days last
night, Jan. though l don't remember any
thing about your going to Churchill. [
must have been too young: but | remem-
Der when you went to Nelson House and
how lonely I was. Last night I dreamed
that We both went, and that We stood to-
gether. looking out over the bay. where
the tides are washing away the gum
case collins. / saw the ship that you
described to me- too, and thought that We
wanted to go out to it. but couldn't. Do
you suppose we'll ever go to Churchill to-
gether. jan and ride on wonderful ship
like that
1T may be, Melissa
And then / dreamed that you We're
gone and ] was alone: and some one else
came to me. whom didn't like at ALL and
tried to make me go to the ship. Wash (
that stranger" She laughed softly as she
rose to give him another cup OF coffee.
What did you mean. Jan Thoreau. by
running away from me like that?'
ITO get even with you for running away
from me on the mountain" he replied
quickly.
She paused. the cup half filed. and JAM
looking up. caught her eyes full of mock
establishment.
"And were YOU sorry / ran away from
your
Despite himself his pale cheeks flushed
do you think was?" he replied equiv
ocally.
filing his cup. What are you going to
do today. JAM?
Drive out on the Churchill trail. Le-
doq wants supplies. and he's too busy
with his trap lines to come in
"Wil you take me?''
I'm afraid not. Melissa. It's twelve
mile run and a heavy load"
VERY we'll. I'll get ready immediately.
She jumped up from the table, darling
fun at him with her eyes, and ran to her
room.
Its too far. Melissa" he called after
her Its too far and I've a heavy
load
Didn't 1 take that twenty-nile run with
you over To- Oh dear! Jan, have you
seen my new lynx-skin cap?'
Its out here. hanging on the wall,
replied Jan. falling into her humor despite
himself. but say. Melisse-''
Are the dogs ready? she called. IF
they're not, I'll be dressed before you
can harness them. Jan"
They'll be here within fifteen min
utes." he replied. surrendering to her:
Her merry face. laughing triumph at
him through the partly open door. de-
stroyed the last vestige of his opposition,
and he left her with something OF his old
cheeriness of manner. whistling a gay
forest tune as he hurried toward the
store.
lisse was waiting for him. gray thing
of silvery lynx fur. with her cheeks lips
and eyes aglow her trim little feet clad
in soft caribou boots that came to her
knees, and with a bunch Of the brilliant
bakneesh fastened jauntily in her cap.
1--WE made room for you, he said, in
greeting. pointing to the sledge.
Which I'm not going to fill for five
miles. at least declared Melissa. Ism t
1t glorious morning. Jan? / feel as ii
can run from here to LedoQ's!"
With a crack of his whip and a shout,
Jan swung the dogs across the open, with
Melissa running lightly at his side. From
their cabin Jean and 1owaka called out
shrill adieus
1.-THE day is not far off when they two
will be as you and 1, my Iowaka," said
Jean, in his poetic Cree. Il wager you
that it will be before her next birthday"
And Melissa was saying:
II wonder II there are many people as
happy as Jean and Iowaka!'
She caught her breath. and Jan cracked
on the dogs In a squirt that left her pant
ing. a full dozen rods behind him. With
wild halloo he stopped the team and
waited.
THAT'S unfair Jan. You'll have TO put
me on the. sedge.'
He tucked her in among the furs and
the dogs strained at their traces. with
JAMS whip curling and swapping over
their backs. until they were leaping swift
ly and with unbroken rhythm OF motion
over the smooth trail Then Jan gathered
in his whip ard ran close to the leader.
his moccasineG feet taking the short.
quick light stops of the trained forest
runner, his chest thrown a little out. his
eyes upon the twisting trail ahead.
1t was glorious ride and Melissa s
eyes danced with joy. Her blood thrilled
to the tireless effort of the grayish-yellow
She watched the muscular play Of their
backs and legs, the eager outreaehing of
their wolfish heads and their half-gaping
jaws-and from them she looked to Jan.
There was no effort in his running. His
gale cheeks were flushed. his black hair
swept back from the gray of his cap,
cleaning I'm the sun. Like the dogs.
there was music I'm his movement. there
was the beauty of strength. Of endurance,
of manhood born to the forests. Her eyes
shone proudly: the color deepened in her
cheeks as she hooked at him. wondering
IL there was another man in the world
like Jan Thoreau.
Mile after mile slipped behind. and not
until they reached the mountain on which
he had fought the missionary did Jan
bring his dogs to a walk. Melissa jumped
from the sledge and ran quickly to his
side.
81 can beat you to the top now!' she
cried eff YOU catch me- There was
the old witching challenge in her eyes.
She sped up the side of the ridge. Pant
ing and breathless. Jan pursued with the
dogs Her advantage was too great for
him to overcome this time. and she stood
laughing down at him when he came to
the top of the ridge.
You're as pretty as fairy. Melisse."
he exclaimed. his eyes shining with ad-
miration. 'Prettier than the fairy I'm the
book"
Thank you. brother. The one with
golden hair?''
Yes. all of them
II can't imagine how a girl would look
with golden hair: can you, JAM" Before
he could answer. she added. mischievous
ly: Ibid you see any fairies at Churchill
or York factory
"None that could compare with Won