The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-07-20

only give me chance TO prove that
it is all Il rnistake-that r.
croisset reached out and took his
hand
.Arseur. | would like to help you"
he INTERRUPTED. Il liked You that night
we came in together from the fight on
the trail have liked you since. And
vet. if was in their place. | would
kill you even though 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 wrang when
they tried to kill you on the trail But
have taken 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 few steps out into the
snow, the numbness in his limbs fore
ing him-to catch Al trees and sapiings
to save himself frcul 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 Meleese had not only
warned him. but was now playing an
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 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 bad woman"
Like a fash Croisset struck at the
bait which Rowland threw out to him.
He leaned a little forward. hand
quiyering on his knife. his eyes fash
ing fire Inyoluntarily 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 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 ii about Me
leese. Up there and he pointed still
farther into the north, 81 know of a
hundred men between the Athahasea
and the bay who would kill you for
what you have said. And it is not for
Jean Croisset to listen to it here
will kill you unless you take it backr'
Cod" breathed Howiand He look
ed straight into Croisset's face SIN
glad its so-Jean." he added slowly.
s"Don't ven understand. man, i love
her. / didn't mean what | said. /
would kill for her, too. Jean. said
that to find out-what you would do
Slowly Croisset relaxed. faint smile
curling his thin lips.
IF il was a joke, m'seur, it was a
bad one"
III wasn't a Joke. cried Rowland
1T was a serious effort to make yon tell
me something about Meieese. Listen.
Jean She told me back there that It
was not wrong for me to dove her and
when | iay bound and gagged in the
snow she ealne TO me and-and kissed
me. | don't understand
Croisset interrupted him.
did she do that, m'seur?n
Il swear it,
Then you are Fortunate. smiled
Jean softly. for will stake my hope
in the blessed hereafter that she. has