Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-24


O.-.-s-.-.-.-.-.-.-s-.-.-.-
niue 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.
81 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"
81 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,
JAM" she smiled. 81 want your help
with the dishes, and then we're going
to play on the violin"
She pulled him. into q 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 a little
nervous laugh close TO his head.
IT'S terribly long, Jan" Her soft
| hand brushed his bearded cheek.
! Ugh she shuddered. You must
take that Off your face. If 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 hercely when he re-
manned silent, and the scissors shipped
more rapidly between her fingers.
I'm going TO prospect the big
swamp along the edge OF the Barrens
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
J 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.
Il insist that you shall use them"
she said. stirring the soap into a lath-
; er and noting the indecision in his
) face. II am afraid of you"
Afraid OF me?"
He stood for a moment in front of
; the little mirror, turning his face from
3 side TO side. Melissa handed him the
razor and cup.
4 You don't seem Ike the Jan that 1
5 used to know once upon a time. There
j has been a great change in you since
) since
e She hesitated.
"Since when, MelisseT'
8 "Since the day we came in from the
q mountain and l put up my hair"
e With timid sweetness she added, 81
: haven't had 1t up again. Jan"
She caught a glimpse Of his lathered
q face in the glass staring at her with
, big. seeking eyes. She had washed
the dishes before he finished shaving.
a Then she took down the old violin
Q from the wall and began to play. her
low. sweet voice accompanying the in
e strument in Cree melody which To-
r waka had taught her.
l Surprised. he faced her. his eyes
glowing as there fell from her iiLs the
gentle love song Of a heartbrvken In
dian maiden. filed with its infinite sad
J, ness and despair. He stood silent IN
Ill she had finished. staring down upOT
: her bowed head. When she lifted hel
. eyes to him, he saw that her long lash
y IS were wet and glistening in the lamp
" glow.
!, She played again. her voice hummins
with exquisite sweetness the wordles:
:, music which he had taught her. Al
n last she gave him the violin
% Now you must play for me"
n Il have forgotten a great deal. Me
liSse"
"a She was astouished TO see how clum
a silly his brown fingers Travelled over tn,
NJ strings. AS she watched him her hear
thrilled uneasily. Ii was not the olS
. Jan who was playing for her now, bu
=. new Jan. whose eyes shoEe dull an,
= passionless. in whom there was no sti
N OF the old spirit Of the violin He wax
is dered Astlessly from one thing % az
--.G-Ez|