Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-05
BigSnOWS
Author Of 1.-The
Danger 1Trail''
CHAPTER XIV.

AGAEAF hOEHs
With his sickness, his deathly feel.
ing Of loneliness and heartache. there
had entered into Jan now q strange
sensation that was almost excitement
an eagerness 70 fasten the dogs In
their traces, 10 hurry on in spite Of his
exhaustion 70 that place which Thorn
ton had told him of-Prince Albert
and 10 free himself there for all time
OF the thing which had oppressed him
since that night many years ago when
he had staggered into Lac Balm to play
his violin as Cummins' wife died He
reached inside his skin coat. and there
he felt papers which he had taken
from the hole in the lob stick tree
They were safe. For twenty years he
had guarded them. Tomorrow he
would take them TO the great company
at Prince Albert. And after that-aft-
er he had done this thing. what would
there remain In life for Jan Thoreau?
Perhaps the company might take him,
and he would remain In civilization.
That would be best-for him He
would fight against the call of his for.
ests as years and years ago he had
fought against that call Of the other
world that had filed him with unrest
for "A time. He had killed that. II he
did return 10 his forest he would 20 far
TO the west or far to the east No
one that had ever known him would
hear again Of Jan Thoreau.
Kazan had crept TO his blanket, dar-
ing 10 encroach upon It inch by inch
until his great wolf head lay upon
JAMS arm. 1t was ten years ago that
Jan had taken Kszan, a little half
blind puppy that he and Melissa had
chosen from a litter OF half a dozen
stronger brothers and sisters Kazau
was all that was left 10 him now He
loved the other dogs, but they were
not like Kazan. He frightened his arm
about the dogs head. Exhaustion
and the warmth OF the fire made him
drowsy, and after a time he slept,
with his head thrown back against the
tree
Something awoke him hours after
ward. He opened his eyes and found
that the fire was still burning bright
ly. On the far side Of IL beyond the
dog sat Thornton. A look at the sky,
where the stars were dying. and Jan
knew that II was just before the gray
break OF dawn. He sat upright.
Thornton laughed softly at him and
pulled out clouds OF smoke from hiN
pipe.
You were freezing" he said as Jan
stared, and sleeping like a dead man.
] waited for you back there and then
hunted you up. You know. thought
He hesitated and knocked the ash
from his pipe bowl Then he looked
frankly and squarely at Jan See
here, old man. II you're hard up-had
trouble OF any sort-bad luck-got nc
money-won't you let me help you
outT'
Thank you. m'sieur; have money,
said Jan. II prefer 10 sleep outsid,
with the dogs. ! guess would hnv'
been stitr with the frost II you haC
not come. You have been here al
nightT"
Thornton nodded.
And IL is morning" exclaimed Jan
rising and looking above the spruc,
tops. You are kind. m'sieur. ] wisl
might do as much for you"
You can" said Thornton quietly
Where are you going from hereY'
ITO the company's offices at Prime,
Albert We win start within an hour.
will you take me with you?
Thornton asked.
with pleasure!- cried Jan. But 1
VIII be a hard journey. m'sieur
must hurry. and you may not be &C
customed 10 running behind the dogs.
Thornton rose and stretched out {
hand
1T can't be too hard for me-" b,
said Il wish
He stopped. and something in his Low
voice made Jan look straight into hi
eyes. Then he turned to his pacl
upon the SledEe.
I've got meat and coffee and hare
biscuits" he said. ''Wil you hav,
breakfast with me?'
Il was early afternoon Of the fourtl
day later when Jan and Thornton
reached Prince Albert
We viii 20 90 the Offices OF the Grea
company" said Jan. I'VE will lose n,
time"
n was Thornton now who guide,
him 10 the century old building at tn,
west edge Of the town. II was Thorn
ton who led him into an office flle'
mostly With young women. who wer
laboring at clicking machines. and /
was Thornton who presented q squar
bit OF white card 10 a gray haired mai
at desk, who. after reading II. ros
from his chair. bowed and shook hand
with him. And a few moments late
a door opened. and Jan Thoreau alon
passed through Sc. his heart Quivering
his breath choking him, his han,
clutching az the papers in his breas
pocket
Outside Thornton waited. An hou
passed and still the door did not re
open. The man at the desk glarice'
Curiously At Thornton. Two girls a
typewriters exchanged whispered opin
ions as TO who might be this wild look
ing creature from the north who wa
taking up al hour OF the subcommis
slouer's time Nearly two hours pass
sed before Jan appeared. Thornton
stu patient rose as the door opened
His eyes first encountered the startn
face Of the subCommissioner. The
Jan came out he had aged FIVE year