The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-29
CHAPTER X.
A Kiss and the Consequences.

ing the day. At noon, D11Om
 told her that he had made A A 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 ings that followed were pleasant ones for her. The new agent was as jolly as he was fat,. and took an immense liking to Melisse. Young Dixon was good looking and brimming with life, and spent a 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, a week after Jan had gone, he told her about the women in the world which had come to be a fairy land to Melisse.
 "They are all beautiful over there" she asked wonderingly, when he had finished.
 "Many of them are beautiful, but none so beautiful as you, MeIisse," he replied, leaning near to her, his eyes shining DO you know that you are beautifulT'
 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 Hines he had told her that she was beautiful-but there had never been this fiuttering of her heart before.
 There were few things which Iowaka and she did not hold in secret between them, and day or two later Melisse told her friend what Dixon had said. For the first time Iowaka abused the confidence placed in her and told Jean.
 "The devi1v' gritted Jean, his face b1ackening.
 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, if one makes an oath to the blessed Virgin and breaks it what happens?"
 He evaded the startled look in his wife's big black eyes.
 Ut means that one will be forever damned unless he confesses to a priest soon after, doesn't it? And if there is no priest nearer than 400 miles it is a dangerous thing to do, IS it not?"
 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.
 ''I'll be back soon," said Jean. closing the door after him, but instead of ap- preaching Croisset and the fighting dogs he went in the direction of Gum mins cabin. He gritted his teeth as young Dixon's laugh sounded loudly in the cabin. 'Two fools!" 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 Melisse and Dixon, and not even to Iowaka did he give hint of his growing suspicious. Dixon was a man whom most other men liked. There were 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, aud after this Melisse and the young Englishman were more together than ever. Dixon showed no incIination to accompany the sledges, and when they were gone he and Melisse began taking walks in the forest when the sun was high and warm.
 It 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 Melisse and Dixon. His face clouded, and his eyes snapped fire.
 He peered forth from the bushes, his loyal heart beating wrathful tattoo when be saw that Dixon dared put his hand on Melisse's arm. They were coming very slowly, the Enghshman 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 Melisse tore herself free. For an instant she faced Dixon. who stood laughingt Unto 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 Frenchman was smiling His eyes glittered like black diamonds.
 clean, 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 Melisse."
 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.
 Tt is the first time that our Melisse has ever suffered insult" he said speaking as coolIy as if to a child eff Jan Thoreau were here he would kill you. He is gone, and I will kill you in his placel'
 (To Be Continued.0