Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-10-26


getting bis few supplies at Indian
camps and stopped at last. with the
beginning Of spring. far up on the Cut
away. Here he built himself camp
and lived for a time. setting dead fails
for bear. Then he struck north again
and still east. keeping always away
from Lac Balm. When the first chill
winds of the bay brought warning OF
winter down to him he was filled for
a time with longing to strike north
and west. to go once more back to bis
Barren Lands. But. instead. he went
south. and so II came to pass that a
year after he had left Lac Balm he
built himself a cabin deep in the for
est Of Gods river. fifty miles from OK
ford House. and trapped once more
for the company. He had not forgot
ten his promise to Thornton. and ut
Oxford House left word where he could
be found IL the man from civiliza ton
should return.
In late midwinter Jan returned to
Oxford House with his furs. 1t was
on the night Of the day that he came
into the post that he heard a French
man who had come down from the
north speak Of Lac Balm. None no
tieed the change 10 JAMS face as he
hung back In the shadows Of the COM
pany's store A little later he follow
ed the Frenchman outside and stopped
him where there were no others near
to oyerhear.
"1I'sieur, you spoke Of Lac Bain."
he said in French. you have beeu
therei" -" ."....... 49,: J
YES" replied the other. II was
there for a week waiting for the FIRST
sledge snow" ...-'.z ~
at is my old home. I" said Jan, trying
to keep his voice natural. II have
wondered IL there are changes. You
saw Cummins. the factor?'
Yes. he was there" t-. 81
"And-and Jean de Grayols, the
chief man?" -. .. .. =.
HE was away" -.ss
'The factor had a daughter. Me-
lisse"-- ... .-.~- ..>>.. #..
"She left Lac Baia long time ago,
m'sieur," said the trapper. "M'sieur
Cnmmins told me that he had not seen
her 10 long time. / believe 1t was
almost year" LID.
Ian went to the company's store.
He took his pack to the sledSe md
dogs In the edge OF the spruce. ana
Eaxan ieaped to greet him at the end
OF HIS bahichp. That night as Jan
Travelled through the forest he did not
nntice the stars or the friendly shad.
ows. ~: (. go s..
A year. he repeated to himseh
aGnin and agail. and once when Ia
zan rubbed against his leg and locked
IN into his fnce he siild: An. Kaznn.
our Melissa went away with the Eng 1
,ishman May the great God give
them happiness:' .s
The forest claimed him more thar
ercf aftar this He. did not go ialts
to Oxford Holisp 10 fhe spring. i,rt
sold his filrs to a passing halfbreeti
ard wandered through NIL ef that
spring and summer IN the country 10
the west. II was lannary when ny
returned 90 his cabin. when the. SHOWS
were deeIRst. and three DAYS later he
set 0iit ~ pBftit at the Hildson's hay
ir,st ON a;mi.s lake instead 1T at Os /
ford Hotisp u WIS while they were
crossing part of the lake that Kaza',
leaed aside for su instant In h.s
traces end snapped at something In
the snow. ri
Jan saw the movement, but gave no
attention 10 II until little later when
Kazan stopped aud fell upon bis belly.
biting at the harness and whining In
pain. The Thought of. kazan's sudden
snap at the snow came to him then
Ike a knife thrust. and with a low cry
OF horror and fear he fell upon his
knees beside the dog. Kahn within.
pered, aud his bushy tail swept the
snow as Jan lifted his great woltish
held between his two hands No other
sound came from JAMS lips now. and
slowly he drew the dos up to him until
he held him In his arms as he might
have held n child. Kazan stillcd the
whlmpering sounds i'm his throat, His
one eye rested on his masters face
faithful. watching for some sign. for
some language there. even as the bura
Ing fires of a strange torture gna we'd
at his life, and In that eye Jan siw The
deepening reddish film which he bad |
seen hundred times before In the eyes
OF foxes and wolves killed by poison |
bait
A moan Of anguish burst from JAMS
lips. and be held his face close down |
against kazan's head and sobbed now |
like q child. while Kazan rubbed his |
hot muzzle against his cheek and his |
hardened in last desire to |
give battle to whatever was giving bis |
master grief. 1t was a long time be-
fore Jan lifted his face from the shay
81 head. and when he did he knew |
that the last Of all love. of all compan-
Ionship. OF all that bound him to flesh |
and blood In his lonely world. was
gone. KaZan was dead.
From the sledge be took blanket |