Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-31

LOT ~snOnOrln his daughter. The Otn-
err disappeared. SO you see. Jean de
Gravois. what sort Of creature is your
friend Jan Thoreauv'
Il e that you are a bigger fool
than ever" Jean said quietly. Jan
Thoreau, what II I should break my
oath-and tell MelisseT"
Unfinching the mems eyes met. A
dull glare came into JAMS. Slowly he
u~nsheathed his long knife and placed
It upon the snow between his feet,
with the cleaning end Of the blnde
pointing toward Gravois. with a low
cry Jean sprang to his feet.
ID you mean that. Jan Thoreau?
Do you mean to give the knife chal.
lenge to one who has staked his life
for you and who loves you as a
brotherT'
"Yes." said Jan deliberately. II
love you. Jenn, more than my other
man in the world. And yet I will kill
you II you betrny me to Melissa" He
rose to his feet and stretched out his
hands to the little Frenchman. Jean,
wouldn't you do as I am doingF
Wouldn't you have done as much for
Iowaka?"
For a moment Gravois was silent.
II would not have taken her love
without telling her, he said then.
THAT is not what you and ! know as
honor, Jan ThOreau. But I would
have gone to her. as you should nov
70 to Melissa. and she would have
opened her arms to me. as Melissa
would open hers to you That is what
! would have done"
And that Is what | shall never do"
hid Jan deciSively. turning toward
the post. II could kill myself more
easily. That Is what I wanted to tell
you, Jean. No one but you and I must
eve know
II would Ike to choke that fool Of n
Croisset for sending you to hunt up
those people at Nelson House and
Wholdaia" grumbled Jean.
ut was best for me-"
They saw Melissa leaving Iowaka's
home when they came from the forest.
Both waved their Lauus to her, n
Jan cut across the open to the store.
Jean went to the Cuinmins cabin as
soon as he was sure that he was not
observed. There was little OF the old
vivncity in his manner as he greeted
Melissa. He noted, too. that the girl
wns not her natural self. There was a
redness under her eyes which told him
that she had been crying.
UNfo1tc,n ~ ~ ~,tl - I,ot zro,Irl-- -,
her with his eyes fixed on the cap he
was twisting in his fingers. there has
rome a great change over jan"
"A very great change. Jean. If l
were to guess | should say that his
heart had been broken down on the
Nelson trail"
Gravois caught the sharp meaning in
her voice. which trembled a little as
she spoke. He was before her in an
instant, his cap fallen to the floor. his
eyes blazing as he caught her by the
arms.
Yes. the heart of Jan Thoreau is
brOken!" he cried. but 1t has been
broken by nothing that lives on the
Nelson House trail. 1t is broken be-
cause of-you"
az" Melissa drew back from him
with a GREATNESS cry. IL have bro
KEN
Il did not say that" interrupted
Jean. Il say that it is broken because
of you. II only / might tell you!"
"Do-do. Jean! Please tell me-" She
put her hands on his shoulders. Her
eyes lmplored him. Tell me what
have done-what can l do. Jean?'
II can say that much to you, and no
MORE" he said quietly. 'Only know
this. my dear-that there is a great grief
eating at the soul Of Jan Thoreau. and
that because Of this grief he is changed.
l know what that grief Is, but l am
pledged never to reveal it. 1t Is for you
to find out. and to do this. above all
else-let him know that you love him.
Not as a sister any longer. Melissa, but
as a woman"
Gravois did not stay to see the effect
of his last words. Cummins and Jan
came in together ut supper time. The
factor was in high humor. An Indian
from the Porcupine had brought in two
silver foxes that morning, and he was
immensely pleased at JAMS return. a
combination Of incidents which put
him in the best OF moods.
Meltsse sat opposite Jan at the table.
She had twisted a sprig of red bak-
neesh into her glossy braid. and a clus-
ter OF it nestled ut 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
llne!' Cummins inquired after asking
Jan many questions about his trip.
Il don't know" replied Jan. II 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"
II 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 anne between. For
a moment her hand rested upon his
arm.
you are going to stay with me.
JAM 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 abou his