Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-21
Copyright. on.
bp the Bobbs Merrill Co.
CHAPTER VI.

growing MeIisse This year the school
would be at Churchill and the next nj
York factory, and after that II might
be gone forever. 80 that when Meiisse
grew up there would be none nearer
than what Ian looked upon as the 9th
er end Of the world. Why could not be
90 to school for Mellsse and store up
freasi y which In time he might turn
over to herr
The scheme was colossal one, by oil
odds the largest that had ever entered
into his dreams OF what life held for
him. II was not until the first cold
chills or approaching winter crept down
from the north and east that he told
cunmins OF his intention
Once bis mind was settled Jan lost
no time In putting his plans into nc
ton. Mukee knew the trail to Church
III and agreed TO leave with him on the
third day, which gave Williams wife
time to make him q new coat Of carl
bou skin.
On the second evening he played for
the last time Ia the little cabin. and
after Nelisse had fallen asleep be took
her up gently 10 his arms and held her
there for long time. while Cummins
looked on IN silence. When he replaced
her In the little bed against the wall
Cuinnllns put one Of his long arms
about The boys shoulders and led. him
to the door. where they stood looking
ont upon the grim desolation Of the
!. ;orest 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 night?'
II win tell you now that I come from
ze 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
splfltion as be looked up into bis com
panion's face-.because re leetle Me-
lisse was here" be finished.
For o time Cummins made no move
or sound: then be drew. the boy back
INTO the cabin, and from the little ging
ham covered box In the corner he took
buckskin bag.
-You are going to Churchill for Me-
llsse and for her, be said 10 voice
pitched low that It might not awaken
the baby. Take this.
Jan drew a step buck.
mo. nn' work with re compan-ee
At Churchill That Is se gold for Me-
lisse when she grow up. Jan Thoreau
A. x&sl,oA 49,, 1.e.a,,3
His teeth gIennied IN a smile. but It
lasted only for an instant Cummins
face darkened. and he caught him
firmly. almost roughly. by the arm.
'sThen ian Thoreau will never come
back to Melissa he exclaimed with
nnallty. sYou are going to Churchill
to be at school and not TO work with
your hands. They are sending you.
Do you understand. boy? TheyT
There was fierce tremor In his voice.
(which win Il bei Will you take the
bag or will sou never again come back
to Lac Balm r.
Dumbly Jan reached out and took
the buckskln pouch. A dull flush
burned In his cheeks. Cummins look
ed IN wonder upon the strange look
that came Into his eyes
Il pay back this gold to you and Me-
llsse hundred timesT be cried tense
~. Il swear Il, an swear that Jan
Thoreau max no lieE'
Unconsciously, with the buckskin bag
clutched In one hand, he had stretched
out his other arm % the violin hang
ing against the wall. Cummins turned
to look. When he faced him again the
boys arm had fallen to his side and
his cheeks were white The next day
Jan left.
It was a long winter for Cummins
and Mellsse 1t was longer one for
Jan. He had taken with him letter
from the factor at Lac Balm to the fac
tor at Churchill, and he found quarters i
with the chief clerks assistant at the |
post-a young. red faced man named
Macdonald, who had come over on the
ship from England. He was cheer
full. good natured young fellow, and
when be learned that his new associate |
had tramped all the way from the Bar
TCu Luuuo W obtCuu Tic lev PuOhC 4
school, he at once invested himself
with the responsibilities Of a private
tutor.
The school opened In November. and !
Jan found himself one of twenty or
80 gathered there from 10000 square
miles Of wilderness. Two white /
youths and a half breed had come
from the Etawney, the factor at Mel
SON House sent up his son. and from
the upper waters of the Little Church
III there came three others.
From the first JAMS music found
him premier place in the interest Of
the tutor sent over by the company.
he studied by night as well as by
Gay, and by the end of the second
month his only competitor was the |
youth from Nelson House. his great
est source or knowledge was not the