Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-10-29
The Honor
The Big Shows
Continued from Page Severn


denly he crushed the woman's letter
to his lips, and his voice burst irons
him in whispering, thrilling eagerness:
81 will come to you-some day-w'eD
re leetle Melissa come too"
He rolled the written pages togeth
er, wrapped them in the faded red
cloth and concealed them again in the
box of his violin before he re-entered
the cabin.
The next morning Cummins stood
"a the door and said:
slow warm the sun is! The snow
and ice are going, Jan. It's spring
Well house the sledges today and
begin feeding the dogs on fish"
Each day thereafter the sun rose
earlier. the day was longer and the air
was warmer. and with the warmth
there now came the sweet scents Of
the budding earth and the myriad
sounds of the deep, unseen life of the
forest awakening from its long slum-
Der in its bed Of snow.
The post fell back into its old ways
Now and then visitor came in from
out of the forest, but he remained for
only day or two. taking back into
the solitude with him a few of the
necessaries Of life. Williams was busy
preparing his books for the coming Of
the company's chief agent from Lon
don. and Cummins. who was helping
the factor, had good deal Of extra
time on his hands.
Before the last of the snow was
gone he and Jan began dragging in
logs for an addition which they plan
ned for the little cabin. Basking out
in the sun, with huge bearskin for a
floor, Melissa looked upon the new
home building with wonderful demon
STATIONS of interest. CumminS' face
glowed with pleasure as she kicked
/ gave shrill voiced approval Of their
efforts.
Jan was the happiest youth in the
| world. 1t vas certain that the little
Melissa, nearly six months old, under
stood what they were doing.
AS the weather grew warmer and
spring changed into summer Jan took
him into the forests, and he picked
for her great armfuls of flowers
and arctic ferns The grave was new
er without fresh offerings. and the
cabin, with it's new addition complete,
was always filed with the beautiful
things that spring up out Of the earth.
Jan and Melissa were happy, and in
the joys of these two there was pleas
ure for the others of the post, as there
had been happiness in the presence of
the woman Only upon Cummins had
there settled a deep grief. The
changes of spring and summer, bring
| ing with them all that this desolate
world held of warmth and beauty, fill
ed him with the excruciating pain Of
his great grief. as if the woman had
died but yesterday.
At last, his gaunt frame thinned by
sleepless nights and days Of mental
torture, he said that the company's
business was calling him to Churchill,
and early in August he left for the
bay. He left Melissa in care of Jan,
and the child seemed to recognize the
guardianship.
When Cummins came back from
Fort Churchill in the autumn be
brought with him pack full of things
for Melissa. including new books and
papers. for which he had spent a share
Of his seasons earnings. AS he was
freeing these treasures from their
wrapping Of soft caribou skin, with
Jan and Melissa both looking on, he
stopped suddenly and glanced from his
knees up at the boy.
They're wondering over at Church
i'll what became Of the missionary who
left with the mail, Jan. They say he
was last seen at the Etawney."
And not here? replied Jan quickly
mot that they know Of" said Cum
Minis, still keeping his eyes on the
boy. 1.-THE man who drove him never
got back to Churchill They're won
dering where the driver went too. A
company officer has gone up to the
Etawney, and it is possible he may
come over to Lac Balm. | don't believe
he'll find the missionary"
Neither do l." said Jan quite coolly.
'He is probably dead, and the wolves
anu 1OAGS nClN Z SdlCL LAILl UC1O1G ILLS
or mebby re feesh!'
Cummins resumed his task Of IN
packing, and among the books which
he brought forth there were two which
he gave to Jan.
''The supply ship from London came
in while I was at Churchill, and those
came with it," he explained. They're
SchOOlhOOIS There's going 70 he
school at Churchill next winter, and
the winter after that it will be at York
factory, down on the Hayes" He set
tied back on his heels and looked at
Jan. 'It's the first school that has ever
come nearer than 400 miles Of u.s.
That's at Prince Albert"
For many succeeding days Jan took
long walks alone In the forest trails
and silently thrashed out the two prob
lens which Cummins had brought back
from Churchill for him. Should he
Tooo IL Nro ~o1c &Io% q