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

ONtT IL ult Jan lluhS lis 49,
Zee pail and big chunk Of frozen carl
pou meat and tossed frozen fish to the
hungry dogs.
With his sickness. his deathly feel
ing of loneliness and hcartache there
had entered into Jan now strange
ensation that was almost excitement
an eagerness to fasten the dogs In
heir traces, to hurry on In spite of his
exhaustion to that place which Thorn
ton had told him Of-Prince Albert
md to free himself there for all time
n the thing which had oppressed him
hnce that night many years ago when
he had staggered into Lac Balm to play
ais violin as Cummins' wife died. lie
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 wout
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. II,
would fight against the call Of his for
ests as years and years ago he hat
fought against that call Of the othel
world that had filed him with unres
for a time. He had killed that. If HI
did return to his forest he would go IA
to the west or far to the east. NJ
one that had ever known him would
hear again of Jan Thoreau.
Kaxan had crept to his blanket, dar
ing TO encroach upon it inch by incl
until his great wolf head lay upor
JAMS arm. 1t was ten years ago tina
Jan had taken Kazan, a little hal
blind puppy that he and Melissa hat
chosen from a litter of half a dozei
stronger brothers and sisters. Kazal
was all that was left to him now. H.
loved the other dogs, but they wer
not like Kazan. He frightened his arm
about the dogs head. Exhaustion
and the warmth Of the fire made hin
drowsy. and after a time he slept
with his head thrown back against tn
tree.
Something awoke him hours aftel
ward. He opened his eyes and foun
that the fire was still burning brigh
ly. On the far side Of 1t beyond tn
dog sat Thornton. A look at the ak.
where the stars were dying, and in
knew that 1t was just before the era
break Of dawn. He sat uprigh
Thornton laughed softly at him an
puffed out clouds of smoke from hi
pipe.
"You were freezing" he said as ia
stared, land sleeping like dead mai
waited for you back there and the
hunted you up. You know. thought
He hesitated and knocked the as
from his pipe bowl. Then he locke
frankly and squarely at Jan. Use
here, old man, If you're hard up-ha
trouble Of any sort-bad luck-got n
money-won't you let me help 20
out"
THANK you, m'sieur: have money,
said Jan. II prefer to sleep outsid
with the dogs. ! guess l would hav
been stin with the frost If you ha
not come. You have been here al
nightr'
Thornton nodded.
And II is morningr' exclaimed Jar
rising and looking above the spruc
tops. "You are kind, m'sisur. I wis
might DO a. much for you"
"You can" said Thornton quietly
Where arc you going from herer'
10 the company's offices at Prime
Albert We will start within an hour.
"Wil you take me with you
Thornton asked.
with pieasurei" cried Jan. But
will be a hard journey, m'sieur.
must hurry, and you may not be a.
eustomed to running behind the dogs
Thornton rose and stretched out
hand
TT can't be too hard for me-" h
said. II wish
He stopped, and something in his To-
voice made Jan look straight into h
yes. Then he turned to his pac
non the sledge.
1--WE got meat and coffee and har
biscuits." he said. ''WiM you hav
reakfast with met"
It was early afternoon of the fourt
day later when Jan and Thornto
reached Prince Albert.
I'VE will go to the Offices Of the grei
company" said Jan. 1--WE will lose Il
time"
1t was Thornton now who guide
him to the century old building Mt Il
west edge Of the town. 1t was Thor
ton who led him into an Office file
mostly with young women, who wei
lnboring Mt clicking machines, and
was Thornton who presented squal
bit of white card TO gray haired mn
at a desk, who, after reading 1t. no!
from his chair bowed and shook hant
with him. And few moments lat
Il door opened, and Jan Thoreau alor
passed through ii. his heart quiverin
his breath choking him, his har
elutching at the papers IN his brea
pocket.
Outside Thornton waited. An no,
passed and still the door did not T.
open. The man at the desk glance
curiously at Thornton. Two girls
typewriters exchanged whispered OPT
Ions as to who might be this wild loo
Ing creature from the north who W.
taking up an hour Of the subcommi
sioners time. Nearly two hours pas
ned before Jan appeared. Thornto
still patient. rose ms the door opene
His eyes nrSt encountered the STARR
face OF the subcommissioner. The
dnA came out Ho had aCad Avo vaa