Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1913-02-28
Big Shows
AWlA0r of 1.-The
Danger 'T'rail''

forth a small, tightly rolled cylinder
Of faded red cloth.
For a few moments he sat watching
the deep breathing of Cummlns, un'
rolling the cloth as he watched. until
he had spread out upon the table he
fore him n number of closely written
pages OF paper, He weighted them at
Que end with his violin aud held them
down at the other with his hands,
The writing was In Fronch. Several
of the pages were 10 heavy mascu'
line hand, the words running one upon
another 80 closely that In places they
seemed 10 be connected, and from
them Jan took his hngcrs. 80 that they
ruled up like spring, over the 9th
ers he bent his head. and there came
from him low. sobblng breath.
On these pages the writing was that
NJ a woman, aud from the paper there
still rose n faint, sweet scent Of hello
trope. For half an hour Jan gaZcd
upon them. reading the words slowly
until he came TO the last page.
A new and strange longing crcpt
Into his heart. He stretched out his
arms. with the papers and his violin
chtchcd In his hands, as II wonder
nj spirit was calling 10 him.
For the tirst time In his lonely life
il came to hlm-thls call OF the great
world beyond the wilderness sud
denly he crushed the woman's letter
to his lips. aud his voice burst from
hin In whispering, thrilling cagerness;
II will come 10 you-some day-w'en
ke icetle Mellsse come too"
lie rolled the written pages togcth
rr, wrapped them In the faded red
cloth and concealed them again In the
box Of his violin before he rc'entercd
the cabin.
The next morning Cummlns stood
IN the door and said
"liow warm the sun Is! The snow
and Ice are going. Jan, It's spring,
Wen house the slcdgcs today aud
begin feeding the dogs on nsh."
Each day thereafter the sun rose
earlier. the day was longer and the air
was warmer. aud 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 foil back into Its old ways
Now aud then visitor came In from
out OF the forest. but he remained for
only day or two. taking back into
the solitude with him few OF the
uec,~snrIcs of life. Williams was busy
preparing his books for the coming of
the company's chief agent from Lon.
don. and Cummlns. who was helping
the factor. had a good deal of extra
dine 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. BHsking out
In the sun, with huge bearskin for
toor, Melissa looked upon the new
home building with wonderful demon.
stratlons OF Interest. Cummlns' face
gowed with pleasure ns she kicked
and scrambled on the bcarskln and
gave shrIll voiced approval OF their
efforts.
Jan was the hnppiest youth In the
world. II was certsin that the little
Mellsse. nearly six months old. under
stood what they were doing,
As the weather grew warmer and
spring changed Into summer Jan took
Mellsse upon short excursions with
for her great armfuls Of flowers
md arctic ferns The grave was new
er without fresh offerings. and the
cabin. with Its new addition complete,
was always flled with the beautiful
things that spring up out of the earth.
Jan and Melisse 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 Cummlns had
there settled 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, rs II the woman had
died but yesterday.
At last, his gaunt frame thinned by
seepless 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 Melisse in care Of Jan.
and the child seemed to recognize the
guardianship.
When Cummins came back from
Fort Churchill In the autumn he
brought with him pack full Of things
for Melisse. including new books and
papers, for which he had spent share
Of his seasons earnings. AS he was
freeing these treasures from their
wrapping of soft caribou skin, with
Jan and Mellsse both looking on, he
stopped suddenly and glanced from his
knees up at the boy.
They're wondering over at Church
III 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.