The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-08-15


A new and strange longing crept
into his heart. He stretched out his
arms. with the papers and his violin
clutched IN his hands. as II wonder
full spirit was calling to him
For the 6rst time In his lonely life
II came to him--this call of the great
world beyond the wilderness sud
denly he crushed the woman's letter
to his lips. and his voice burst from
him in whispering, thrilling eagerness:
81 will come to you-some day--w'en
ye leetle Melissa come too"
He rolled the written pages togeth
er, wrapped them In the faded red
cloth and concealed them again in the
box of his violin before he re entered
the cabin.
The next morning Cummins stood
In the door and said:
"How warm the sun is The snow
and Ice are going. Jan. It's spring.
Wen house the sledges today and
begin feeding the dogs on 6sh."
Each day thereafter the sun rose
earlier. the day was longer and the air
was WuEutE, Win thS wa" eh
there now came the sweet scents OF
the budding earth and the myriad
sounds of the deep. unseen life OF the
forest awakening from Its long slum
Der IN its bed Of snow.
The post fell back into Its old ways
Now aud then visitor came In from
out of the forest but he remained for
only n day or two. taking back into
the solitude with him a few Of the
necessaries OF life. Williams was busy
preparing his hooks for the coming OF
the company's chief agent from Lon
don. and Cummins. who was helping
the factor, had good deal Of extra
time on his hands.
Before the last of the snow was
gone he and Jan began dragging In
logs for an addition which they plan
| ned for the little cabin. Basking out
In the sun. with huge bearskin for n
floor. Melissa looked upon the new
| home building with wonderful demon
STATIONS of interest. Cummins' face
glowed with pleasure as she kicked
and scrambled on the bearskin and
gave shrill voiced approval of their
efforts.
Jan was the happiest youth in the
world. 1t was certain that the little
Melisse nearly six months old. under
stood what they were doing
As the weather grew warmer and
spring changed into summer Ian took
Melissa upon short excursions WIKI
him into the forests. and he picked
for her great armfuls OF flowers
and arctic ferns. The grave was new
er without fresh offerings. and the
cabin. with its new addition complete.
was always filled with the beautiful
things that spring up out of the earth
Jan and Melissa were happy. and In
the joys of these two there was pleas
ure for the others of the post, as there
had been happiness In the presence of
the woman Only upon Cummins had
there settled deep grief The
changes Of spring and summer. bring
ing with them all that this desolate
world held of warmth and beauty. fill.
ed him with the excruciating pain OF
his great grief. as II the woman had
died but yesterday.
At last. his gaunt frame thinned by
sleepless nights and days Of mental
torture, he said that the company's
business was calling him to Churchill
and early in August he left for the
bay. He left Melissa In care Of Jan,
and the child seemed to recognize the
guardianship
When Cummins came back from
Fort Churchill In the autumn he
brought with him pack full Of things
for Melissa, including new books and
papers, for which he had spent share
of his seasons earnings. AS he was
freeing these treasures from theiI
wrapping of soft caribou skin, with
Jan and Melissa both looking on, hi
stopped suddenly and glanced from his
knees up at the boy.
They're wondering over at Church
III what became of the missionary who
left with the mail, Jan, They say ht
was last seen at the Etawney."
"And not here?" replied Jan quickly
"Not that they know Of" said Cum
Minis. still keeping his eyes on the
boy. 1.-THE man who drove him uevel
got back to Churchill. They're won
J dering where the driver went too. A
, company officer has gone up to thu
, Etawney. and 1t is possible he may
J come over to Lac Balm. don't np'iev'
, he'll find The missionary"
, "Neithcr Gn l." said Jan quite coo''y
"He Is prohrDly dead, and the wolves
J and foxes re eaten him before this
or mebby ~ IeeshP
: Cummins resumed his task Of I'm
packing, and among the books whicl
he brought forth there were two whicl
he gave to Jan
! "The supply ship from London cam
in while was at Churchill, and thos
, came with It." he explained. "rhey'r
schoolbooks. There's going to be
D school at Churchill next winter, an
the winter after that 1t will be at Yor