Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-17

But the foreigner will skin him alive
and spit him with the devil thorn if
he so much as peeps at her out of the
wrong way of his eye"
Croisset shrugged his shoulders.
There are two of the foreigners at
Nelson House. and TWO on the Who'll
daia. and one
An hour later Jan went slowly across
the open TO Cummins' cabin. As he
paused for an instant at the door he
heard a laugh that was strange to him,
>and when he opened it TO enter he
stood perplexed and undecided. Me
Hsse had risen from the table at the
sound of his approach, and his eyes
quickly passed from her flushed face
10 the young man who was sitting op-
poSite her. He caught nervous trem-
Bile in her voice when she said:
Mr. Dixon. this is my brother. Jan"
The stranger jumped to his feet and
held out hand.
I'm glad to know you, Cummins"
''Thoreau." corrected Jan quietly. as
he took the extended hand Jan Tho
reau"
"Oh. beg your pardon. 1 thought
He turned inQuiringly TO Melissa The
flush deepened in her cheeks as she be-
gan TO gather up the dishes.
We are of no relation" continued
Jan. something impelling him to speak
the words with cool precision. Only
we have lived under the same roof
since she was n baby, and so we have
come to be like brother and sister"
Miss Melissa has been telling me
about your run this morning" ex-
claimed the young Englishman. his
| face reddening slightly as he detected
the girls embarrassment II wish l
had seen IT"
There will be plenty OF it very
! soon," replied Jan. caught by the
| frankness Of the others manner "Our
runners will be going out among the
/ trappers within a fortnight"
| And will they take me-"
You may go with me if you can run.
I leave the day after tomorrow
Thanks" said Dixon, moving to-
! ward the door.
Melisse did not lift her head as he
went OUT Family she said:
i've kept your dinner for you. Jan
! Why didn't you come sooner?'
II had dinner with Gravois," he re,
piled. Jean said that you would
hardly be prepared for five, Melissa. Sc
| accepted his invitation
He took down from the wall a fur
sIedge coat. in which Melissa had
mended a rent a day or two before
and. throwing it over his arm. turned
to leave.
Jam
He faced her slowly. knowing that
III spite OF himself there was a strange
ness in his manner which she would
not understand.
why are you going away the day
after tOmorrow-twO weeks before the
others? You didn't tell me-
I'm going Il hundred miles into the
SOUTH" he answered.
over the Nelson House trail?"
Yes"
oh" Her lips curled slightly as sh'
looked at him. Then she laughed. anC
bright spot leaped into either cheek
81 understand, brother" she said soft
ly. Pardon me for questioning yol
so. ! had forgotten that the MacVeigl
girl lives on the Nelson trail. Iowak;
says that she is as sweet as Il wild flow
er. / wish you would have her CONF
up and visit us some time, Jan"
JAMS face went red. then white, bu
Melissa saw only the first effect of he
random shot and was brskly gathering
up the dishes.
Il turn off into the Cree lake countr
before reach MacNeigh'S.' he was O
the point of saying. but the words hun
upon his lips, and he remained silent.
4 few minutes later he was talllin
with Jean de Gravois. The littl
Frenchman's face was OminOusly darn
and he puYcd furiously upon his pip
when Jan told him why he was leayin
at once f." the south.
Running away he repeated for tn
tenth time IN French. his thin lips cur
= ing in a sncer. Il am sorry that l CAV
you my oath. Jan ThOreau. else woul
l 90 myself and tell Melissa what rea
> in the papers. Iish! Why can't 70
I forget"
, u may-sOme day" said Jan. "Tha
! is why am going into the south tw
weeks early. and | shall be gone unit
- after the big roast. If | remain her
another week | shall tell Melissa, an
then
e He shrugged his shoulders despaiI
] ingIy.
. And then what"
5 Il should go away forever"
= Jean snapped his fingers with lO-
[ laugh.
5 Then remain another week, ia
D Thoreau. and if it turns out as yo
- say | swear I will abandon my tw
1 Iowakas and little Jean TO the wolves
D Il am going the day after tomo
row"
, The next morning Iowaka complaine
n 10 Melissa that Grayois was as surl
4 as bear.
Ito he continued)