The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-29
I he Honor By Damnes
 .NOI6Ver GUTTW@0@l
(Conttnued.)

 md heartache Brother Jan, Brother Jan. Brother Janr' The words pound cd themselves incessantly in his brain until they seemed to keep time with his steps beside the sledge.
 Ledoq was stripping the hair fat from a fox skin when the team pulled up in front of his cabin. When he saw the daughter of the factor at Lac Bain with Jan he jumped briskly to his feet, flung his cap through the door of the shack and began lowing and rcraping to her with all his might
 Melisse laughed merrily as Ledoq continued to bow before her. rattling away in a delighted torrent of French. .+Ah. thes' ees wan gr-r-reat comp1ee man. M'seile Melisse,'' he said. Then he turned to Jan. Did you meet the strange team?"
 we met no team"
 Ledoq looked puzzled. Half a mile away the top of snow covered ridge was visible from the cabin. He point ed to It
 "An hour ago I saw it going west yard along the mountain-three men and six dogs. Whom have you out from Lac Bain?"
 "So one." replied Jan. "It must have been the new agent from Churchill We expect him early this winter. Shall we hurry back, Mefisse, and see if he has brought our books and violin Efrfugs:" You must have dinner with me-" objected Ledoq.
 Jan caught a quick signal from Me lisse-
 'sNot today, LedOq. It's early and re have q lunch for the trail. What ghD you say. Melisse:"
 "Tf you're not tired, Jan"
 "Tiredr'
 He tossed the last package from the sledge and cracked his long whip over the dogs backs as they both cried out their farewell to the little Frenchman.
 sTiredr he repeated, running close beside her as the team swung lightly hack into the trail and laughing down into her lace. How could I ever get tired with you watching me run, Me fiGser'
 "T wouldn't mind if you did-just a little, Jan. Isn't there room for two7' She gave a coquettish little shrug of her shoulders, and Jan leaped upon the moving sledge, kneeling close behind her.
 Always, always, I have to ask you!' she pouted "You needn't get too near, you know, if you don't want top
 The old, sweet challenge in her voice was irresistible, and for moment Jan felt himself surrendering to 1t. He leaned forward until bis chin was buried in the silken lynx fur of her coat and for a single breath he felt the soft touch of her cheek against his own. Then he gave sudden shout to the dogs-so loud that it startled her. and his whip writhed and snapped twenty feet above their heads like thing filled with life.
 He sprang from the sledge and again ran with the team, urging them on faster and faster until they dropped into a panting walk when they came to the ridge along which Ledoq two hours before had seen the strangers hurrying toward Lac Bain.
 They did not lunch on the trail, but drove into the post in time for dinner. Jean de Gravois and Croisset came forth from the store to meet them.
 ''You have company, my dear," cried Jean D Melisse - two gentlemen fresh from London on the last boat and one of them younger and hand somer than your own Jan Thoreau. They are waiting for youin the cabin, where your father is getting them din- ner and telling them how beautifully you would have made the coffee if you were there"
 ''who are theyT
 "The new agent, M. Timothy Dix on, as red as the plague, and fatter than spawning fish, And his son, who has come along for fun, he says; and I believe he will get what he's after if he remains here very long. Jan Thoreau, for he looked little too boldly at my Iowaka when she came into the store just now"
 Gan you blame him, Jean? I tell you that look at Iowaka whenever I get the chance"
 ''Ts she not worth itf" cried Jean in A6RN4AC- AO0 "CAOOLAC CO CfCIJ look that you can get, Jan Thoreau. But the foreigner-I will skin him alive and spit him with the devil thorn if he so much as peeps at her out of the @Hong way of his eye"
 croisset shrugged his shoulders There are two of the foreigners at Nelson House, and two on the Who'll daia, and one'-
 An hour later Jan went slowly across the open to Cummins' cabin. As he paused for an instant at the door he heard laugh that was strange to him, and when he opened it to enter he stood pelGexed and undecided. Me hsse had risen from the table at the sound of his approach. and his eyes quickly passed from her flushed face to the young man who was sitting op- posite her. He caught nervous trem- ble in her voice when she said:
 MT. Dixon, this is my brother, Jan.'' The stranger jumped to his feet and held out hand.
 I'm glad to know you, Cummins." ''Thorean" corrected Jan quietly, as he took the extended hand "Jan Tho reau"
 'Oh, beg your pardon. I thought ETl &r-r .n1 f1n irfn nrrIx ka Nh1