The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-28
Biz Shows AUIth@r of 1.-The
 Danger 1rrail''

had climbed the old spruce, looping off its branches until only the black cap remained, and after that it was known far and wide as the ''lobstick" of Cum mins' wife. 1t was a voiceless ceno- and love known to the wilderness peo- pie had been given to her. Te it went Jan, the papers still held | In his hand. He had seen a pair of. l whisky jacks storing food in the butt of the tree two or three summers be- fore, and now his fingers groped for l the hole. When he found it he thrust l in the papers, crowded them down | and filled the hole with chunks of bark.
 Always my sister, and never any I thing more to Jan Thoreau," he said gently in French as if he were speak ing to spirit in the old tree. That 1 is the honor of these snows; it is what 1 the great God means us to be. I swear that Jan Thoreau will never do wrong to the little Melisser' With a face 1 white and set in it's determination he turned slowly away from the tree. 1 When he came into the cabin for breakfast next morning Jan's face showed signs of the struggle through which he had gone Cummins had al- [ ready finished. and he found Melisse ! alone Her hair was brushed back in its old, smooth way, and when she heard him she flung her long braid 1 over her shoulder, so that 1t fell down in front of her. He saw the move ment, and smiled his thanks without speaking.
 "You don't look we'll, Jan,'' she said anxiously. You are pale, and your 1 eyes are bloodshot."
 T am not feeling right" he admit ted, trying to appear cheerful, but this coffee will make a new man of me. You make the best coffee in the world, Melisse''
 What are you going to do today, Brother Jan"' she asked. sEDrive out on the Churchill trail. Ledoq wants supplies. and he's too brlsy with his trap lines to come in4''
 twill you take me-"
 "Y'm afraid not, Melisse. It's a twelve mile run and heavy load"
 ''very we'll I'll get ready imme- diately."
 She jumped up from the table, dart. l ing fun at him with her eyes, and ran to her room.
 Its too far, Melisse,'' he called aft CT her. "It's too far, and I've heavy ] load"-
 !. Didn't I take that twenty mile run with you over to- Oh, dear! Jan, have you seen my new lynx skin cap?"
 "It's out here, aanging on the wall ? l replied Jan. falling into her hunor de- spite himself. But I 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, surrenderfng to her.
 Her merry face. laughing triumph at aim through the partly open door, de- stroyed the last vestige of his opposi- tion, and he left her with something of his old cheeriness of manner, whis- ting a gay forest tune as he hurried toward the store
 When he returned with the team&Me- hsse was waiting for him, gray thing of silvefy 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 bunch of the brilliant bakneesh fastened jauntily in her cap.
 I've made room for you" he said in greeting, pointing to the sledge.
 (Which I'm not going to i'll for five miles at least,' declared Melisse. Isn't 1t a glorious morning, Jan? I l feel as if I can run from here to i Ledoqs!'
 With a crack of his whip and. a shout, Jan swung the dogs across the open. with Melisse running lightly at his side. From their cabin Jean and Iowaka called out shrill adieus "The day is not far off when they two will be as you and I, my Iowaka," said Jean in his poetic Cree. T wager you that it will be before her next birthday!''
 And Melisse was saying:
 "Y wonder if there are many people ms happy as Jean and Iowakar'
 She caught her breath. and Jan crack ed on the dogs in spurt that left her panting, full dozen rods behind him. With a wild halloo he stopped the l team and waited.
 That's unfair, Jan. You'll have to put me on the sledge."
 He tucked her in among the furs, and the dogs strained at their traces, l with Jan's whip curling and snapping over their backs. until they were leap ing swiftly and with unbroken rhythm of motion over the smooth trail. Then Jan gathered in his whip and ran close to the leader. his moccasined feet talk ing the short. quick, light steps of the trained forest runner, his chest thrown I little out, his eyes upon the twist ing trail ahead.
 Mile after mile slipped behind, and not until they reached the mountain on which he had fought the mission ary did Jan bring his dogs to walk. Melisse jumped from the sledge and ran quickly to his side.
 1T can beat you to the top now!" she cried, If you catch me- There was the old witching challenge in her 1 eyes.
 She sped up the side of the ridge Planting and breathless Jan pursued with the dogs. Her advantage was too great for him to overcome this time, and she stood laughing down al l him when he came to the ton of the