Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-31
Copyright. oil.
Oh the bobbS- Merrill Co
CHAPTER x.
A Kiss and tho Consequences.

4 i up his mind not to accom-
oany Thorcau on the trip south. The
following morning. before she was VI.
Ian had gone. She was deeply hurt.
Never before had be left on one OF
bis long trips without spending his
last moments with her. Outside OF her
thoughts of Jan, the days and even
ings that followed were pleasant ones
for her. The new agent was as jolly
as he was fat, and took an immense
liking to Melissa. Young Dixon was
good looking and Drumming with life,
and spent a great deal of his time in
her company. For hours at Il time she
listened to his stories of the wonder
full world across the sea.
One day, a week after Jan had gon
he told her about the women in the
world which had come to be a fairy
land to Melissa.
'0They are all beautiful over thereT
she asked wonderingly, when he had
finished.
MANY of them are beautiful, but
none SO beautiful as you, Melisse," he
replied, leaning near to her, his eyes
shining. do you know that you are
beautiful"
His words frightened her so much
that she bowed her head to hide the
signs Of It In her face. Jan had often
spoken those same words-a thousand
times he had told her that she was
beautiful-but there had never been
this huttering Of her heart before.
There were few things which Iowaka
and she did not hold in secret between
them, and a day or two later Melissa
told her friend what Dixon had said.
For the first time Iowaka abused the
confidence placed in her and told Jean.
THE devilr' gritted Jean, his face
b~lackening.
He said no more until night. when
the children were asleep. Then he
drew Iowaka close beside him on a
bench near the stove and asked care
lessly:
my angel. II n makes an oath to
he blessed Virgin and breaks it what
>lappensT"
He evaded the startled look in his
wife's big black eyN.
1T means that one will be forever
damned unless he confesses to a priest
ioon after. doesn't it? And II there is
10 priest nearer than 400 miles it ia a
dangerous thing to do. is 1t not?"
A fierce snarling and barking Of dogs
brought Gravois to the door. They
could hear Croisset's raucous voice and
he loud cracking Of his big whip.
I'll be back soOn," said Jean, closing
he door after him, but instead of ap.
%,roaching Croisset and the fighting
.ogs he went in the direction Of Cum
nins' cabin. He gritted his teeth as
Young Dixon's laugh sounded loudly
n the cabin. 1.-TWO fOols!" he went on
ommuning with himself. "Cummins
Jan Thoreau-both foOls."
During the week that followed Jeans
little black eyes were never far dis.
ant from Cummins' cabin. Without
being observed he Wat,neu MeiiSse and
Dixon, and not even to lowaka did he
give hint Of his growing suspicious.
Dixon was a man whom most other
men liked. There WEE a fascinating
frankness in his voice and manner
strength in his broad shoulders and a
general air Of comradeship about him
which won all but Jean.
The trap line runners began leaving
the post at the end of the second week,
and after this Melissa and the youna
Engishman were more together than
ever. Dixon showed no inclination tc
accompany the sledges, and when they
were gone he and Melissa began taking
walks In the forest when the sun was
high and warm.
1t was on m Of these days that Jean
had gone along the edge Of the caribou
swamp that lay between the Barrens
and the higher forest. He heard the
sound of voices ahead Of him, and a
moment later he recognized them as
those OF Melissa and Dixon. His face
clouded, and his eyes snapped fire.
BE peered forth from the bushes, his
loyal heart beating a wrathful tattoo
when he saw that Dixon dared put his
hand on Melisse's arm. They were
coming very slowly, the Englishman
bending low over the girls bowed head,
talking to her with strange earnest.
ness. Suddenly he stopped, and be.
fore Jean could comprehend what had
happened he had bent down and kissed
her.
With a low cry Melissa tore herself
free. For an instant she faced Dixon.
who stood laughing into her blazing
eyes. Then she turned and ran swiftly
down the trail.
A second cry fell from her startled
lips when she found herself face to
face with Jean de Gravols. The little
Frenchman was smiling. His eyes
glittered like black diamonds.
Jean. Jean" she sobbed, running
to him.
HE has insulted you" he said soft.
ly, smiling into her white face. run
along to the post, my pretty Melissa"
He watched her, half turned from
the astonished Englishman. until she
disappeared in a twist OF the trail a
hundred yards away. Then he faced
Dixon.
1T is the first time that our Melissa
aas ever suffered insult" lie said,
'peaking as coolly as II to a child.
If Jan Thoreau were here. he would
ill you. He Is gone. and ! will kill
you In his placer
He advanced, his white teeth stll
cleaning In n smile. and not until he
aunched himself like a cat at D'xon's
throat was the Englishman convinced