Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-14

SOUTH"
The next day Thornton did not 90.
He made no sign Of going on the sec
ond day. So It was with the third,
the fourth and the fifth. On each Of
these days Jan went once. In the after
noon to the office Of the subcommis-
sioner. and Thornton always accompa.
MED him. At times when Jan was not
looking there was hungry light in his
eyes as he followed the others move
ments. and once or twice Jan caught
what was left Of this look when he
turned unexpectedly. He knew what
was in Thornton's mind. and he pitled
him. grieved with him in his own heart
until his own secret almost wrung IT,
self from his lips.
The ninth day was the last day for
Jan Thoreau. In dazed sort Of way
he listened as the subcommissioner
told him that the work was ended.
They shook hands. 1t was dark when
Jan came out from the company's OF.
fees, dark with a pale gloom through
which the stars were beginning to glow
with ghostly gloon. lightened still
more in the north with the rising fires
Of the northern lights. Alone Jan stood
for few moments close down to the
river. Across from him was the for
est. silent, black, reaching to the end
Of the earth. and over it, like a signal
light, beckoning him back to his world,
the aurora sent out its shafts Of red
and gold. And MS he listened there
came to hin family a distant wailing
sound that he knew was the voice
from that world, and at the sound the
hair rose along Kazan's spine, and he
whined deep down in his throat JAMS
breath grew quicker. his blood warmer
Over there-across the river--his world
was calling to him. and he. Jan Tho.
reau. was now free to CO. This very
night he would bury himself in the for.
est again and when he lay down to
sleep 1t would be with his beloved stars
above him. and the winds whispering
sympathy and brotherhood to him in
the spruce tops. He would go-now. he
would say goodby to Thornton and CO.
He found himself running. and IA.
ran ran beside him. He was breath
less when he came to the one lighted
street OF the town. lie hurried to the
he had left him.
ut is ended. m'sieur," he cried in a
low voice. at is over and am going
am going tonight
Thornton rose. Tonight" he re-
pcated.
pick up my things. Will yon Gomez"
He went ahead of Thornton to the
bare little room in which he had slept
while Mt the hotel. He did not notice
the change in Thornton until he had
lighted Il lamp. Thornton was look
ing at him doggedly. There was ar
unpleasant look in his face.
And IL. too. am going toright." b,
said.
Into the south. m'sieur?'
mo; into the north" There was
f1erceness In Thornton's emphasis. II
stood opposite Jan. leaning over the ia
Bile on which the light was placed
i've broken loose" he went on. "I'n
not going south. back to that hell o
mine. I'm never going south again
. I'm dead down there-dead for all time
They'll never hear Of me again. The
, can have my fortune. everything. In
. going noNh Ia going to live wit
you people and God and her"
, Jan sank into chair: Thornton 50
down In one across from him.
II am going back to her," he repeat
ed. mo one will ever know"
He could not account for the look 4
JAMS eyes nor for the nervous twitct
Ing OF the 1.-THE brown hands tina
reached half across the table Thorn
ton would never know that JAMS fu