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

IN ing the DAY. Al DOOI, DlAou
told her that he had made
i up his mind not to accom-
pany Thoreau on the trip south. The
following morning. before she was up,
Jan had gone. She was deeply hurt.
Never before had he left on one Of
his long trips without spending his
last moments with her. Outside Of her
thoughts of Jan, the days and even
fngs that followed were pleasant ones
for her. The new agent was as jolly
as be was fat, and took an immense
liking to Melissa. Young Dixon was
good looking and brimmfng with life,
and spent q great deal Of his time In
her company. For hours at time she
listened TO his stories Of the wonder
full world across the sea.
One day, week after Jan had gone,
he told her about the women In the
world which had come to be q fairy
land to Melissa.
They are all beautiful over thereT"
she asked wonderingly, when he had
finished
Many Of them are beautiful, but
none 80 beautiful as you, Melisse." he
replied, leaning near to her, his eyes
shining do you know that you are
beautifully"
His words frightened her 80 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 be had told her that she was
beautiful-but there had never been
this tuttering 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 lowaka abused tae
confidence placed In her and told Jean.
"The deyilr gritted Jean, his face
blackening.
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, n one makes an oath to
the blessed Virgin and breaks 1t what
happensi"
He evaded the startled look In his
wife's big black eyes.
1T means that one will be forever
damned unless he confesses to priest
soon after. doesn't 1t? And IL there is
no priest nearer than 400 miles 1t is a
dangerous thing to do. is it mott"
A fierce snarling and barking Of dogs
brought Gravois to the door. They
could hear Croisset's raucous voice and
the loud cracking of his big whip.
.1'll be back soon" said Jean. closing
the door after him, but instead of ap-
preaching Croisset and the lighting
dogs he went 10 the direction Of Cum
MINIS cabin. he gritted his teeth as
young Dlxon's hugh sounded loudly
IN the cabin. Two foolsw he went on
communing with himself. "Cummins
Jan Thoreau- both fools" ..
During the week that followed Jeans
little black eyes were never far dis
tant from Cummins' cabin. Without
being observed he watched Melissa and
Dixon, and not even to Iowaka did he
give hint Of his growing suspicious.
Dixon was man whom most other
men liked. There were a fascinating
frankness in his voice and manner.
strength In his broad shoulders and q
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.
a1d after this Melissa and the young
Englishman were more together than
ever. Dixon showed no inclination to
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 one 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.
He 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 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 Gravois. The little
Prenchman was smiling. His eyes
glittered like black diamonds.
Jean, Jeanw she sobbed, running
to him.
HE has insulted you" he said soft
", smiling into her white face run