Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-24
BigSnOWs
AWth0r of 1.-The
Danger 1rraiI''

that his work among the wild trap
pers to the south WIS finished. but be-,
cause be had suffered hurt in falling
from a slippery ledge. When Jan.
from his wood chopping in the edge or
the forest. saw the team race up 10 the
little cabin aud strange Cree half
carry the wounded man through the
door. ne sped swiftly across the open
with visions of new misfortune before
him
hut the injury was not serious and
Ian lost no ume in revealing bis tears
after Ma balla mad been sent to the fac
tors wife. With graphic gesture he
told or what had happened Cnmmins
hobbIed to the door TO look upon the
walIow 10 the snow and hobbIed back
to the table when Jan ran there 10
excited imitation OF the wav in which
ne had found the little Melissa IN Ma
baila's sling.
she ees ceevilize"' finished Jan hot
~. she ees uoI papoose. She mus
De Iak-ber" His great eyes sbone,
and Cummins felt a tbickening in his
! throat as he looked into them and saw
! what the boy meant "Maballa max
| papoose out OF Melissa. She grow
know noting lax papoese, talk lax pa
/ posse
Yes. she must be Ike her. Jan-just
as good and just as sweet and just as
! beautiful" interrupted Cummins gen.
! tly.
( There was quick intaking Of bis
( breath as he hobbled back 70 his own
cot. leaving Jan at play with the baby.
That night. in the dim. suffering
! glow of an oil lamp John Cummins and
Jan Thoreau soiemnly set to work TO
! thrash OUT The great problem that had
! suddenly entered into their existence.
To these two there was no element OF
humor in what they were doing. for
into their keeping had been given a
thing for which God had not schemed
them.
So far as Cummins knew. there was
not a white woman nearer than Fort
Churchill. 200 miles away. In all that
region lie knew OF only TWO fun white
men. aud they were Williams and him
self. The baby Melissa was hOpelessly
lost In world OF savaSery-honesL
loyal. big souled savagery-but savage
~ for all that. and the thought of it
brought the shadows of fear and fore
bodinG TO the two into whose lives the
problem had just come.
Long into the night they talked sert-
ousIy of the matter. while Melissa
slept: and the longer they talked the
greater doomed the problem before
them. CummiRs fanCied that he al
formation in Melissa She was pas.
sfOnately fond of the CANDY things Ma
balla gave her. which was sign of
savaGery. She was charmed by con.
tinement in the p"poOSe sling. which
was another sign OF II. and she had
not died in tbe snow wallowS, which
was still another
So far back as he could remember
Cummins had never come into finger
touch Of a white baby. Jan was as
blissfully ignorant. So they deter
mined upon Immediate and strenuous
action. Maballa would he ceaseleSsly
watched and checked at every turn
The ludian children would not be al,
lowed TO come near Melissa. They two
John Cummins and Jan Thoreau-
would make her like the woman who
slept under the sentinel spruce
she ees ceevilize," said Jan with
fnality. AN we mus keep her ceevil
izr.''
Cummins counted back gravely upOr
his fingers The little Melissa wal
four months and eighteen days old.
Tomorrow we will make her one OF
those things with wheels. like the ba
by wagons they have in the south.
he said. she must not go in the pa
poose sings
. An | will teach her re museek.
whispered Jan. his eyes glowing
THAT ees ceeviliZe."
Suddenly an eager light came int
Cummins' face. and he went 10 a cali
, CO covered box standing upon end in ;
2 corner OF the room.
Here are the bookseller books
r Jan" he said softly, the trembling
{ thrill OF inspiration 10 his voice. HI
= drew the books out. one by one. hi