The Washington herald., 1912-06-30

to Nelson House and send in his report
of BuclSy Nome's desertion, since he
knew well enough after the final re-
marks of that gentleman that he did not
intend to sever his connection with the
Northwest Mounted in the regular way.
After that He shrugged his shoul-
ders as he thought of the fourteen
months service still ahead Of him. I'm
til now his adventure as a member of
the Royal Mounted had not grown
monotonous for an hour. Excitement,
action, fighting against odds, had been
the spice of life to him, and he strug-
gled to throw of the change that had
taken hold of him the moment he had
opened the hyacinth-scented letter OF
Mrs Becker. You're a fool" he
argued. You're as big a fool as
Bucley Nome. My God-you-Phil
Stsele-letting married woman upset
you like thisp p
II was near midnight when he came
to Pierrots cabin, but a light was still
burning in the half-breed's log home
Philip kicked of his snow shoes and
knocked at the door. In a moment
Pierrot opened il, stepped bae, and star
ed at the white figure that came in out
of the storm.
Mon Dieu-it ees you-Meesair
Philip held out his hand to Jacques,
and shot a quick glance about him.
There had been a change in the cabin
since he had visited II last. One of
PierrofS hands was done up in a sling,
his face was thin and pale, and his
dark eyes were sunken and lusterless.
In the little wilderness home there was
an air of deSertion and neglect, and
Philip wondered where Pierrots rosy
checked. black-haired wife and his half
dozen children had gone.
Mon Dieu-it ees YOU, Mee-sair
Philip" cried Pierrot again, his face
lighting up with pleasure. you come
late You are hongree"
I've had supper" replied Philip.
I've just come from Lac Balm. But
whats up; old man" He pointed
to Pierrot's hand. and looked question
ably about the cabin again.
"Eh-Iowla-my wife-she is at
Churchill. over on the bay" groaned
Jacques. And so are the children.
What! You did not hear at Lac Balm?
Iowla is taken seek-ver' Seek-with a
strange thing which-ugh has to be
fixed with a knife, Mee-sair Philip. An
so I take her to the doctor over at
Churchill, an he FIX her-an' she is
growing well now. an will soon come
home. She keep the children with her.
She say they max her think of Jacques.
on his trap-line Eh-it ees lonely
dam'-dam' lonely, and have been
gone from my lowla but two weeks to-
morrow"
You have been via her at Fort
S5%Tchill:" asked Philip, taking off
his pacI< and coat
"Oui, Nsieur." said Jacques, falling
into his FnSnck. Il have been there
since November. What They did not
tell you at Lac Balm? ?"
''No-they did not tell me But
was there but a few hours. Jacques.
Listen" He pulled out his pipe ond
began filing it, with his back to the
stove. you saw people-strangers-
at Fort Churchill. Jacques? They came
over on the London ship, and among
them there was a woman"
Pierrot's pale face flashed up with
sudden animation
"Ah-zee angel" he cried That is
what my Iowla called her. Msieur
See" He pointed to his bandaged hand
Wan day that bete-the Indian dog Of
mine-did that, an wen l jumped up
from the snow in front Of the COM
pany's store, the blood running from
me, I see her standing there. white an
scared And then she run to me with a
little scream. an tear something from
her neck. an tie it round my hand.
Then she go with me to my cabin, and
every day after that she come to see my
Iowla an the children. She wash little