Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-24

he Thrust In the Papers, CROWDED
Them Down and Filled the Hole With
Chunks Of Bark.
mans life at Lac Balm he and Perez
had climbed the old spruce, looping off
IS branches until only the black cap
remained. and after that it was known
Ear and wide as the "lobstick" Of Cum
Minis wife. 1t was a voiceless ceno-
taph which signitied that all the honor
and love known to the wilderness peo-
ole had been given TO her
TO 1t went Jan. the papers still held
u his hand He had seen Il pair of
whisky jacks storing food in the butt
)f the tree two or three summers be.
fore, and now his fingers groped for
the hole. When he found it he thrust
in the papers, crowded them down
and filed the hole with chunks of bark.
always my sister. and never any
thing more to Jan Thoreau," he said
gently in French as if he We're speak
Ing to a spirit in the old tree. That
is the honor of these SHOWS; it is what
the great God means us to be. l swear
that Jan Thoreau will never 10 wrong
to the little Melisse!' With face
white and set in its determination he
turned slowly away from the tree.
When he came into the cabin for
breakfast next morning JAMS face
showed signs of the struggle through
which he had gone Cummins had al
ready finished. and he found Melissa
alone. Her hair was brushed back in
its 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, JAM" she said
anxiously. "You are pale. and your
eyes are bloodshot."
II am not feeling right" he admit.
ted, trying to appear cheerful. "but this
eoffee will make new man Of me-
You make the best coffee in the world.
Melissa"
what are you going to do today.
Brother Jan" she asked
"Drive out on the Churchill trail
Ledoq wants supplies. and he's too
busy with his trap lines to como in"
"Will you take me"
"I'm afraid not, Melissa. It's q
twelve mile run and heavy load"
very well. I'll get ready imme-
diately."
She jumped up from the table, dart
Ing fun at him with her eyes, and ran
to her room.
Its too far, Melisse," he called aft.
err her. ITS too far, and I've heavy
load
Didn't / take that twenty mile 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 de-
spite himself. But l say, Melisse"-
Are the dogs readyi" she called
"If they're not III 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 oppOsi-
ton. 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-
lisse was waiting for him. a gray thing
Of slvery 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
"a @raahn9. D0iDting to the sledaeL