Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-24

81 my TdLOIs NE tTleu Eally. TlOWhkA
says that you will be taken for a bear
81 the trappers see you"
"A beard is good to keep off the black
fles," replied Jan. 1T is approaching
summer and the black flies love to
feast upon me. Let us go down the
trail, Jean. want 10 speak with you"
Where there had been wood cutting
In the deep spruce they sat down fac
ing each other. Jan spoke in French.
Il have Travelled far since leaving
Lac Balm" he said. II went first to
Nelson House. and from there to the
wholdaia. / found them at Nelson
House. but not on the Wholdaia."
, WHAT asked Jean, though he
knew well what the other meant
My brothers, Jean de Gravois," an
Ewered Jan, drawing his lips until his
teeth cleaned in q sneering smile.
my brothers the carrion! l saw the
two Mt Nelson House. One OF them is a
half wit, and the other''-he hunched
his sboulders-'Is worse Peraud,
one Of the two who were at wholdaia,
was killed by Cree father last winter
for dishonoring his daughter. The 9TH
er disappeared SO you see, Jean de
Gravois. what sort Of creature is your
friend Jan Thoreau"'
Il see that you are a bigger fool
than ever" Jean said quietly. Jan
Thoreau. what II should break my
oath-and tell MelisseT
Unhinching the mems eyes met A
dull glare came into JAMS. Slowly he
unsheathed his long knife and placed
Il upon the snow between his feet,
with the cleaning end OF the blade
pointing toward Gravois. With a low
cry Jean sprang 10 his feet
do you mean that. Jan Thoreau?
DO you mean 10 give the knife chal-
lenge to one who has staked his life
for you and who loves you as a
brotherT
Yes" said Jan deliberately. T
love you, Jean. more than any other
man In the world. And yet will kill
you II you betray me 10 Melissew He
rose 10 his feet and stretched out bis
hands 10 the little Frenchman. Jean,
wouldn't you do as / am doing?
Wouldn't you have done as much for
lowaka2"
For n moment Gravois was silent.
II would not have taken her love
without telling her" he said then.
'"That Is not what you and know as
honor. Jan Thoreau. But / would
have gone 20 her. as you should now
80 10 Melissa. and she would have
opened her arms 10 me rs Melissa
would open hers to you. That is what
would have done"
And that Is what shall never do"
said jan deciSively. turning toward
the post II could kill myself more
easily That IS what wanted to tel,
you. Jean. No one but you and must
ever know
- would Ike 10 choke that fool OF n
Croisset for sending you to hunt up
those people NJ Nelson House and
Wholdaa" grumbled Jean.
1T was best for me-"
They saw Melissa leaving Iowaka's
bone when they came from the forest
Botn waved their hands to her, ant
Jan cut across the open to the store.
Jean went to the Cummins cabin q
soon as he was sure that he was no
observed. There was little OF the oil
vivacity iu his manner as he greete,
Melissa. lie noted. too. that the giI
was not Der natural self. There was
redness under her eyes which told hi1
that she had been crying.
Melissa" he said at last, speaking {
her with his eyes fixed on the cap h
was twisting I'm his fingers. there ha
come "A great change over Jan"
"A very great change, Jean. II
We're to guess should say that hi
Nelson trail"
Gravois caught the sharp mea ming
her voice. which trembled little g
she spoke. He was before her in q
instant. his cap fallen to the floor. h
eyes blazing as he caught her by III
arms.
Yes. the heart OF Jan Thoreau
broken by nothing that lives on tt
Nelson House trail. 1t is broken b.
cause of-yOur'
"Iy' Melissa drew back from hil
with n GREATNESS cry. II have br
ken
81 did not say that" interrupts
Jean. Il say that it is broken becau:
Of you. II only l might tell your
"Do-do. Jean! Please tell mer 81
put her hands on his shoulders. II,
eyes implored him. Tell me what
hive done-what can ! do. JeanY'
~ can say that much TO you. and I
more" be said quietly. only kno
this. my deur-that there is a great griu
cnting az the soul Of Jan Thoreau. ar
% that because Of this grief he is change
I know what that grief Is, but l =
pledged never 10 reveal II. Ii is for "
to fnd out. and 20 do this. above &
clse-let him know that you love hir
Not as a sister any longer, Melissa. b
as a woman
Gravois did not stay to see the effe
OF his last words. Cummins and j.
came in together at supper time T.
factor was in high humor. An Indii
from the Porcupiue had brought IN Il
silver foxes that morning. and he W
Immensely pleased at JAMS return.
coDlnatiOn OF incidents which p
him On the best Of moods
Mciisse sat opposite Jan at the tab
She bad twisted a sprig OF red bs