Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-20
CHAPTER XIV.
The Rescue.

On the first snow came young Dixon
from Fort Churchill. Jean de Gravois
met him on the trail near Iedou :.
When the Englshman recognized the lit
tie Frenchman he leaped from his sledge
and advanced with outstretched hand. his
face lighting up with pleasure.
'Bless me. if it isn't my old friend.
jean" he cried. II was just thinking Of
you, Gravois, and how you trimmed me
a lot about you people up here in the
SHOWS since then and III never do any
thing like that again.. He laughed into
Jeans face as they shook hands, and his
How is Mrs. Gravois and the little
Gravois-and Melisse?" he added. before
Jean had spoken.
"All we'll. NJ seur Dixon" replied Jean.
"Only the little Gravois have almost
grown into a man and woman.
An hour so later he said to IoWaka:
Il can't help liking this man Dixon and
yet I don't want to. Why Is it, do you
SUPPOSE
sis it because YOU are afraid that Me-
lisse will like him." asked his wife.
smiling over her shoulder.
BLESSED saints. l believe that it isl
said Jean frankly. Il hate foreigners
and Melissa belongs to jan
She did once, but that was long time
ago. JEAN"
ut may be and yet l doubt it, ma bien
aimee. If Jan would tell her.
"A woman will not wait always" in
terrupted Iowaka, softly. Jan Thoreau
has waited too long,!
A week later, as they stood together in
front of their door. they saw Dixon and
Melissa walking slowly in the edge of the
forest. The woman laughed into jeans
face.
Did I not say that Jan had waited too
long?'
Jeans face was black with disapproba-
ton.
"Then you would have taken up with
Athabasca country another year or two?''
he demanded. queStioningly.
Very likely" retorted Iowaka, mis-
chievously. running into the cabin.
THE devil!'' said Jean. sourly, stalking
in the direction Of the store.
He was angered at the GOODNESS with
which Jan accepted the situation.
This Dixon is with Melissa afternoon
and evening. and they walk together
every day in the BUSH. he said to him.
| 'Soon there will lac wedding at Lac
Balm
Melissa deserves good man., replied
Jan. unmoved. II like Dixon
Deep down in his soul lie knew that
each day was bringing the end of 1t all
much nearer for him. He did not tell Me-
lisse that he had returned to Lac Balm to
be near her once more. nor did he conflde
In Jean. He had anticipated that this
winter at the post would be filled with a
certain painful pleasure for him--but he
had not anticipated Dixon. Day after
day he saw Melissa and the Englishman
together, and while they awakened in him
none of the fiery jealousy which might
have ranked in the bosom Of Jean de
Gravois, the knowledge that the girl was
at last passing from him forever added
| q deeper grief to that which was already
eating at his heart.
Dixon made no effort to conceal his
n IL -A1 oil. Lrroy, III ho
told this to Jean one day. when they
were on the Churchill trail In his honest
way he said things which broke down
the last of Jeans hereditary prejudices,
and compelled him to admit that this was
a different sort Of foreigner than he had
ever known before.
"Ddable. like him. he said to him.
self: land yet would rather see him in
the blessed hereafter than have him take
Melissa from JAM
The big snow decided.
It came early in December. Dixon had
set out alone for Ledoq's early in the
morning. BY noon the sky was leaden
black. and a little later one could not see
q dozen PAGES ahead of him for the snow.
The Englishman did not return that day.
The next day he was still gone, and
Gravois drove along the top of the noun
tain ridge until he came to the French
started for Lac Balm the preceding after
noon. He brought word back to the post,
Then he went to Melissa.
1T is as e., good as as death deaf to go o out in
| longer use the dogs. Snowshoes will sink
like leaden bullets by morning and to
go ten miles from the post means that
there will be bones to be picked by the
foxes when the crust comes!''
| 1t was dark when Jan came into the
| cabin. Melissa started to her feet with a
| little cry when he entered, covered white
with the snow. A light pack was strap
ped to his back and he carried his rife in
| his hand.
| II am going to hunt for him. he said,
softly. IF he Is alive. 1 will bring hin,
back to YOU
She came to him slowly. and the beat
| Ing OF JAMS heart sounded to him like
| the distant drumming of partridge
| wings. All. would he ever forget that
look? The old glory was In her eyes.
| her arms were reaching out. her lips
| parted. Jan knew how the Great Spirit
had once appeared to Mukee, and how q
| white mist. like q snow veil. had come