Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-11-26


gave no sign that he had noticed thi:
little favor, which was meant entirely
for him.
"Has MacVeigh put in his new traI
line?" Cummins inquired after asking
Jan many questions about his trip.
Il don't know" replied Jan. Il didn't
go to MacVeigh's."
Purposely he held his eyes from Me
lisse. She understood his effort, and q
quick flush gathered in her cheeks.
1T was MacVeigh who brought in
word of you'
II met him in the Cree lake country
but he said nothing of his trap lines"
He rose from the table with Cum.
Minis and started to follow him from
the cabin. Melissa came between. For
a moment her hand rested upon his
arm.
"You are going to stay with me-
JAM" she smiled. II want your help
with the dishes, and then we're going
to play on the VIOLIN"
She pulled him into a chair as Cum
Minis left and tied an apron about his
shoulders.
"Close your eyes and don't move
she commanded, laughing into his sur
prised face as she ran into her room.
A moment later she returned with
one hand held behind her back. There
came the snip Of scissors and little
nervous laugh close to his head.
tits terribly long, Janr Her soft
hand brushed his bearded cheek.
"Ughv' she shuddered. "You must
take that off your face. If you don't"-
"Why?" he asked through lack of
anything else to say.
She lowered her head until her cheek
pressed against his own.
Because it feels like bristles," she
whispered.
She Redeemed fiercely when he re-
NAMED silent, and the scissors shipped
more rapidly between her fingers.
"I'm going to prospect the big
swamp along the edge Of the Barrens
this summer" he explained soon,
laughing to relieve the tension. "a
beard will protect me from the black
flies"
"You can grow another"
She took the apron from about his
shoulders and held it so that he could
see the result of her work. He looked
up, smiling.
"Thank you, Melissa"
She went to the cupboard behind the
stove and brought out her fathers
shaving mug and razor.
II insist that you shall use them,"
she said, stirring the soap into lath-
er and noting the indecision in his
face. II am afraid of you"
afraid of me?"
He stood for a moment in front of
the little mirror, turning his face from
side to side. Melissa handed him the
razor and cup.
"You don't seem like the Jan that
used to know once upon time. There
has been a great change in you since
SINCE
She hesitated.
"Since when, Melisse?''
"Since the day we came in from the
mountain and l put up my hair"
With timid sweetness she added, 81
haven't had it up again, JAN"
She caught glimpse of his lathered
face in the glass staring at her with
big, seeking eyes. She had washed
the dishes before he finished shaving.
Then she took down the old violin
from the wall and began to play, her
To- fhn tn
strument in a Cree melody which To-
waka had taught her
Surprised, he faced her. his eyes
glowing as there fell from her lips the
gentle love song Of % heartbroken In
dian maiden, filed with it's infinite sad
ness and despair. He stood silent IN
til she had finished, staring down upon
her bowed head. When she lifted her
eyes to him, he saw that her long lash
es were wet and glistening in the lamp
glow.
She played again, her voice humming
with exquisite sweetness the wordless
music which he had taught her. At
last she gave him the violin.
"Now you must play for me-
81 have forgotten a great deal, Me-
hsse."
She was astonished to see how clum-
silly his brown fingers travelled over the
strings. AS she watched him her heart
thrilled uneasily. 1t was not the old
Jan who was playing for her now, but
a new Jan, whose eyes shone dull and
passionless, in whom there was no stir
Of the old spirit Of the violin. He wan
dered listlessly from one thing to an
other, and after a few minutes gave
her the instrument again.
Without speaking, she rose from her
chair and hung the violin upon the
wall.
"You must practice a great DEAL"
she said quietly.
At her movement, he, too, rose from
his seat, and when she turned to him
again he had his cap in his hand. a
flash Of surprise shot into her eyes.
care you going so soon, JAM"
81 am tired" he said in excuse. ct