The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-08-17
CHAPTER VI.
The Red Terror.

OUMMINS word of the school. |
at Churchill had put a new
4 and thrilling thought into |
JAMS head, and always with |
that thought he coupled visions Of the
growing Melissa. This year the school
would be at Churchill and the next at
York factory, and after that 1t might
be gone forever, so that when Melissa
grew up there would be none nearer
than what Jan looked upo,ols the 9th.
er end Of the world. why could not he
60 to school for Melissa and store up
treasures which In time he might turn
over to herr
The scheme was a colossal one, by all
odds the largest that had ever entered
into his dreams of what life held for
him. IL was not until the first cold
chills of approaching winter crept down
from the north and east that he told
Cummlns Of his intention.
Once Ills mind was settled Jan lost
no time In putting his plans into ac-
ton. Mukee knew the trail to Church
Ill and agreed to leave with him on the
third day, which gave Williams wife
time to make him a new coat Of carl.
bou skin.
On the second evening he played for
the last time In the little cabin, and
after Melissa had fallen asleep he took
her up gently In his arms and held her
there for a long time, while Cummins
looked on In silence. When he replaced
her In the little bed against the wall
Cummins put one Of bis long arms
about the boys shoulders and led him
to the door, where they stood looking
out upon the grim desoladon Of the
forest that rose black and silent against
the starlit background Of the sky.
"Boy, won't you tell me who you are
and why you came that nightT
II will tell you now that come from
re Great Bear" whispered Jan. II
am only Jan Thoreau, an re great God
made me come that night because
his heart throbbed with sudden In
spiration as he looked up into his COM
panion's face-"because re leetle Me-
lisse was here" he finished.
For time Cummins made no move
or sound; then he drew the boy back
into the cabin, and from the little ging-
ham covered box In the corner lie took
buckskln bag.
"You are going to Churchill for Me-
lisse and for her." be said in voice
pitched low that 1t might not awaken
the baby. Take this
Jan drew step back.
"No, fin work with re compan-ee
at Churchill. That is re gold for Me-
lisse when she grow up. Jan Thoreau
is no-what you call heem?'
His teeth cleaned In a smile, but II
lasted only for an instant Cummins'
face darkened, and he caught him
firmly, almost roughly, by the arm.
"Then Jan Thoreau will never come
back to Melisse," he exclaimed with
fnality. "You are going to Churchill
to be at school and not to work with
your hands. They are sending you.
Do you understand. boy3 TheyT'
There was a fierce tremsr In his voice
(which will It be? VIII you take the
bag or will you never again come back
to Lac Bain?"
Dumbly Jan reached out ana TOOK
the buckskin pouch. A dull flush
burned in his cheeks. Cummins look
ed In wonder upon the strange look
that came into his eyes.
II pay back this gold to you and Me
lisse a hundred timesr' he cried tense
ly. 81 swear 1t, an swear that jar
Thoreau max no lier'
Unconsciously, with the buckskn bal
clutched in one hand, he had stretched
out his other arm to the violin hang
ing against the wall. Cummins turned
to look. When he faced him again tn
boys arm had fallen to his side ant
his cheeks were white. The next da.
Jan left.
It was long winter for Cummln
and Melissa. 1t was a longer one 10