Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-21

downward upon Il. Melissa could zee
his strong frame shaking as d he were
crying like child. and. twining her
arms tightly about bis neck. she sob
bed out her passionate grief against
his rough cheek. ~ !.
The next morning when Cummins
went to awaken her his face went as
white as death Meiisse was not
asleep Her eyes we're wide open and
staring at him. and her soft cheeks
burned with the hot glow OF Ore.
"You are sick. Melisse." be whisper
ed hoarsely. lyon are sickr
He fell upon his knees beside her
and lifted her face In his hands. The
touch OF II sent q chill to his heart.
such as he had not felt since years
ago. in that other room few steps
away.
- want jan" she pleaded. Il want
Ian to come back to me!'
II will send for him. dear. He win
come back soon. will 70 out and
send Croisset" .. .....
he bid his face from her as be drag.
Sed himself away Croisset saw him
coming and came out OF the store to
meet him, hundred yards away
cummins stopped.
"CroIsset. for the love Of God. take
team and so after Jan Thoreau.- he
called. ..Tell him that Melisse Il dying
OF the plague Hurry. hnrryr'
might and day!' shouted Crolsset
Twenty minutes later from the cab
in window Cummins saw him start.
"Jan viii be here very soon, Me-
lisse." be said. running his fingers
gently through her hair. Toward
evening there came q change. The
fever left the chllds cheekA Her
eyes closed and she fell asleep.
Through the night Cummins Rat near
the door. bnt In the gray dawn. over
come by his long vigil, bis head drop
ped upon his breast and be sium.
bered.
When he awoke the cabin was Oiled
with light. He heard a sound and.
startled. sprang to bis feet Melissa
was at the stove building nrei
..l'm better this morning. father.
Why didn't you sleep until breakfast
was readyy
Cummins stared Then be gave o
shout. made a rush for her and. catch.
Ing Aer up In his arms. danced about
the cabin like great hear. oyerfnrn
Ing the chairs and allowing the room
To till with smoke 10 mis- wild jny.
.'It's wIiaf sou saw through the win
dow t,at made ron SICK. sIelisse." hs
,.rie,i putting her du~i, at last-, :.
neasht''- lie lrlnstal md added. iiis
so,.r trrn:hs.ry - Thought yon were
going to II, sirs for more than oiia
iay. nay Ame.-i little WOMAN
lie ule,,tsi pns. III the windows TO lei
IN ti1t. fresh mir of tile morning
When Cruissrt returned hp did not
Ind n red ting over GnmmIns' cabin.
sIar did he bring word ut ian. For
ihree days he had followed the trails
q, the south witilout linsling the bay
snt ne i,runght butk other news WI.
falns was sick with the plague In n
rec wigwaln Oh the awpr lsOreupines
4 WAS the last they ever heard OF the
motor. except that be- died some time
N March aud was burned by the
rptS.
t'ruisspt went back orpr the Church. :
III trail and found his wife ready to-
rect him With nl,en arms After. TINT
me- Joined Per pe. who came In frDm
The north. II, another search for Jan.
They found neither trace llor word OF
aim after passing the tiray Otter. and
'Emmiils gave up hope.
II was not for long that their fears
could he kept from Melisse. This frst
bitter grief that had come Into her
life fell upon her with force which
alarmed Ctlmmins and cnst him into
deep gloom. With growing despair
Culnnllns saw his own efforts fall.
As the days passed Melissa mingled
more and more 1wfth the Indian and
half breed children and spent much OF
her time at the company's store. listen.
ing to the talk Of the men. silent. at
tentive. nnresponsiye to any efforts
they might make to engage her SMILES
From her own heart she looke1 out
upon world that had become void
for her. Jan had been mother. brother /
and everything that was tender and
sweet to her. and be was gone. Mukee.
whom she had loved. was gone. VIII
liams was gone. The world was
changed. terribly and suddenly, and 1t
added years to her perspective Of
things -.
Each day. as the weeks went on and
the spring sun began to soften the
snow. she became a little more like
the wild children at Lac Balm and In
the forest. They were eating dinner
one day In the early spring. with the
sunshine flooding in upon them. when
a quick. low football caused Melissa
to lift her eyes in the direction Of the
open door. A strange figure stood
there. with bioodIess face. staring eyes
and garments banging 10 tatters, but
frs arms were stretched olit "A those