The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-27
Shows
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books you would be woman. ne an swered softly You are more beauti. fuI than the pictures"
 ssYou say that am pretty and that am almost a woman" she pouted, s'and yeti She shrugged her shoui- ders at him in mock disdain. Jan Thoreau. this is the third time in the last week that you have not played the game right. I won't play with you any more.
 1 Tn flash he was at her side. her face between his two hands. and, bending down, he kissed her upon the mouth.
 ''TMere," she said as he released her. 'sIGn't that the way we have played 1t ever since I can remember? Whenever you catch me you may have that.'
 .T am afraid, Mehsse." he said se- ricwMy. You are growing so tall and 90 pretty that am afraid
 Afraid! My brother afraid to kiss me! And what will you do when get to be a woman, Jan, which will be very soon, you sayT
 "I don't know, Melisse." | l flung out her hair, and Jan, who had done this same thing for her hun i dred times before, divided the silken mass into three strands and pfaited l them into braid.
 s'I don't believe that you care. for me as much as you used to. Jan. wish l were a woman, 90 that | might know if you are going to, forget me entirely"
 Her shoulders trembled, and. when he had finished his task he found that she was laughing and that her eyes were swimming with new mischief which she was trying to hide from him. Tn that laugh there was some 1 thing which was not like Melisse. Slight as the change was he noticed 1t; I but, instead of displeasing him, 1t set a vague sensation of pleasure trilltng like new song within him. g -
 When they reached the post Melisse went to the cabin with her bakneesh and Jan to the company's store, where I he met Jean de Gravois.
 Blessed saints, man, but is she not growing more beautiful every day?" said Jean.
 .fYes,v said Jan. "she will soon be. a I woman. r sF "A woman.'s shouted Jeen, who, not having his caribou whip, jumped up and down to emphasize his words. i ''She will soon be woman. did you say, Jan Thoreau? And If she Is not a woman at thirty with two children God send others like thems-when will she be, ask you ?''
 q meant Melisse,'' laughed Jan.
 ssAnd Iameant Iowaka said syean. He hoped out like. a cricket oyerbur- dened with life, calling loudly to his wife, who came to meet him, and say ing to Jan:
 Hurry to the cabin, Jan, and see what sort of a birthday gift Melisse has got for you.''
 | The big room was empty when Jan came quietly through the. open door. He stopped to listen and caught a l faint laugh from the other room and ] then another, and to give warning of his presence he coughed loudly and scraped chair along the floor. A mo- . ment's silence followed. The farther door opened a little, and then it opened wide, and Melisse came out.
 Now, what do you think of me, brother Jan?'
 She stood in the light of the window, through which came the afternoon sun, her hair piled in glistening coils upon the crown of her head as they had seen l them in the pictures. her cheeks flush. I ed, her eyes glowing questionfngfy at 1 Jan. ,3
 You are prettier than I have ever seen you, Melisse," he replied softly eff am prettier and you like me this way. why don't you'-
 She finished with sweet, upturned pouhng of her mouth. and with sud den, laughing cry Jan caught her in his arms and kissed the lips she held up to him. It was but an instant. and he freed her, hot blush burning in l his brown cheeks.
 My dear brotherr' she laughed at him, gathering up the bakneesh. on the table. T love to have you kiss me. and now have to make you do it. Father kisses me every morning when he goes to the store. remember when you used to kiss me every time you came home, but now you forget to do it at all. Do brothers love their sisters less as they grow older?" I Sometimes they love the sister less and the other girl more, Melisse. 1" came a quick voice from the door. and Jean de Gravois bounded in like playful cat, scraping and lowing before Me- lisse until his head nearly touched the floor. Lovely saints, Jan Thoreau, but she is a woman. just as my Iowa ka told me-"
 You're terribly in love, Jean," cried Melisse, laughing until her eyes were wet; "just like some of the people in the books which Jan and read"
 "And always shall be. my dear"
 Melisse flung the red shawl over her head, still laughing.
 "I will go to see her, Jean"
 Well" said Gravois. looking search ingly at Jan when she had left, shall give you my best wishes, Jan Tho reau? Does it signify?'A
 GSignify-what?'
 The little Frenchman's eyes snapped
 "Why, when our pretty Cree maiden becomes engaged she puts up her hail | 4;v S~