Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-31
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS AND TINES. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 81, 1912
you can grow another"

You a grow another"
She took the apron from about his
shoulders and held It 80 that he could
see the result of her work. He looked
up, smiling.
THANK you, Melissa"
She went to the cupboard behind the
stove and brought out her fathers
shaving mug and razor.
II insist that you shall use them"
she said, stirring the soap into a lath-
er and noting the lndecision In his
face. II am afraid Of you"
Afraid Of mel"
He stood for a moment in front Of
the little mirror, turning his face from
tide to side. Melissa handed him the
razor and cup.
You don't seem like the Jan that l
used to know once upon a time. There
has been a great change In you since
since"-
She hesitated.
"Since when, MelisseT
"Since the day we came In from the
mountain and I put up my hair"
With timid sweetness she added. Il
haven't had 1t up again, jan"
She caught n glimpse Of his lathered
face in the glass staring at her with
big. seeking eyes. She had washed
the dishes before he finished shaving.
Then she took down the old violin
from the wall and began to play. her
low. sweet voice accompanying the In.
! strument In a Cree melody which 10.
waka had taught her.
SURPRISED, he faced her, his eyes
glowing as there fell from her lips the
gentle owe song OF a h~eartbroken IN
dian maiden, filed with its infinite sad.
ness and despair. He stood silent un-
til she had finished. staring down upon
her bowed head. When she lifted her
eyes to him. he saw that her long lash
es were wet and glistening In the lamp
glow.
She played again, her voice humming
with exquisite sweetness the wordless
music which he had taught her. At
last she gave him the violin.
Now you must play for me-"
Il have forgotten q great deal. Me.
iisse."
She was astonished to see how clum.
silly his brown fingers travelled owe the
strings. AS she watched him her heart
thrilled uneasily. 1t was not the old
Jan who was playing for her now, but
a new Jan, whose eyes shone dull and
passionless. in whom there was no stir
Of the old spirit Of the violin. He wan.
dered listlessly from one thing to an
other, and after a few minutes gave
her the instrument again.
Without speaking, she rose from her
chair and hung the violin upon the
wall.
you must practice a great DEAL"
she said quietly.
At her movement, he, too, rose from
his seat, and when she turned to him
again he had his cap in his hand. A
flash Of surprise shot into her eyes.
Are you going SO soon. JAM"
II am tired" he said in excuse. 1T
has been two days since I have slept,
Melissa. Good nightv"
He smiled at her from the door, but
the Good night" which fell from her
lips was lifeless and unmeaning. Jan
shivered when he went out. Under the
cold stars he clinched his hands, know
ing that he had come from the cabin
none too Don
1t was late when Cummins returned
home. Melissa was still up. He look
ed at her sharply over his shoulder az
he hung up his coat and hat.
HAS anything come between you
and JanT he asked suddenly. why
have you been cryingT"
Sometimes the tears come when I
am playing the violin, father. know
Of nothing that has come between Jan
and me. only IL don't underestimate
She stoppcd, struggling hard to keep
back the sobs that were trembling in
her throat.
Neither do I understand" exclaim-
ed the factor. going to the stove to
light his pipe. "He gave me his res.
ignation as a paid servant Of the COM
pany tonight"
HE is not going-to leave-the post?"
He Is leaving the SERVICE" reiterat-
ed her father. THAT means he n
not long live at Lac Balm. He says
lie is going into the woods. perhaps
INFO Jeans country of the Athabasca.
Has he told you more?"
Nothing" said Melissa.
The next day 1t was Croisset who
went along the edge Of the Barrens