Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-10-05

ulIu III tue DeSI OF ulOOuS-
Melissa sat opposite Jan at the table.
She had twisted a sprig Of red bak-
neesh into her glossy braid. and a clns-
ter OF 1t nestled AT her throat. but Jan
gave no sign that he had noticed this
little favor. which was meant entirely
for him.
Has MacVeigh put In his new trap
line" Cummins inquired after asking
Jan many questions about his trip.
Il don't know" replied Jan. Il didn't
| go to MacVeigh's"
PurpOsely he held his eyes from Me-
lisSe. She understood his effort. and a
quick flush gathered in her cheeks.
1T was MacVeigh who brought In
word Of you"
Il met him in the Cree lake country,
but he said nothing of his trap lines"
He rose from the table with Cum
MINIS and started to follow him from
the cabin. Melissa came between. For
a moment her. hand rested upon his
arm.
You are going to stay with me.
jan" she smiled. II want your help
with the dishes. and then we're going
to play on the violin"
She pulled him into a chair as Cum
Minis left and tied an apron about his
shoulders.
CLOSE your eyes and don't move"
she commanded. laughing into his sur.
prised face as she ran into her room.
A moment later she returned with
one hand held behind her back. There
came the snip of scissors and little
nervous laugh close to his head.
Its terribly long. JanT Her soft
hand brushed his bearded cheek
"Ugh!' she shuddered. "You must
take that off your face. II you don't''-
Why" he asked through lack Of
anything else to say.
She lowered her head Until her cheek
pressed against his own.
Because it feels like bristles." she
whispered.
She Redeemed fercely when he re-
manned silent. and the scissors shipped
more rapidly between her fingers.
Pm going to prospect the big
swamp along the edge Of the Barrens
this summer" be explained soon.
laughing to relieve the tension. "A
beard will protect me from the black
flies"
"You can grow another"
She took the apron from about his
shoulders and held it so that he could
see the result OF her work He looked
up. smiling
Thank you. Melissa
She went to the cupboard behind the
stove and brought out her fathers
shaving mug and razor.
II insist that you stall Use them."
she said. stirring the SOAP into !ath
rr and noting the IndecisiOn IN his
face Il am afraid of you" /
Afraid of IEP?''
He stWud for moment In front OF
the little mirror. turning his face from
side to side. Melissa handed him the
razor and cup.
You don't seem like the Jan that
used to know once upon Il time. There
has been great change in you since
since
She hesitatad.
Since when. MeliSse?'
Since the day we came In from the
mountain and | put up my hair.
With timid sweetness she added, Il
haven't had 1t mp again, jan"
She caught glimpse Of his lathered
face I'm the glass staring at her with
big. seeking eyes. She had washed
the dishes before he finished shaving
Then she took down the old violin
from the wall and began to play. her
low. sweet voice accompanying the 10.
strument in a Cree melody which 10
waka had taught her.
Surprised. be faced her, his eyes
glowing as there fell from her lips the
gentle love song of heartbroken In
dian maiden. filed with its infinite sad
ness and despair. He stood silent un-
til she had finished staring down upon
her bowed head. When she lifted her
eyes to him. he saw that her long lash
CO "SLc Wei dhu SllSLCAIu6 Ill tAS lamp
glow.
She played again, her voice humming
with exquisite sweetness the wordleSs
music which he had taught her. At
last she gave him the violin.
Now you must play for me-"
Il have forgotten a great deal. Me-
hsse"
She was astonished to see how clum- |
silly his brown fingers travelled over the |
strings. AS she watched him her heart |
thrilled uneasily. 1t was not the old |
Jan who was playing for her now. but |
a new Jan. whose eyes shone dull and
passionless, in whom there was no stir |
Of the old spirit Of the violin. He wan
dered listlessly from one thing to an
other. and after a few minutes gave
her the instrument again.
Without speaking, she rose from her
chair and hung the violin upon the
wall
You must practice a great DEAL"