Charlevoix county herald., 1914-08-22

thought a help might turn out to be
a hindrance. There was something
in the old mans clear blue eyes that
disconnected him; they seemed to
penetrate into his soul and see
things that must at all costs remain
concealed.
The two were eating silently, for
men of the wilderness grow chary Of
conversation from mere lack of prac-
tice. The priest enjoyed his food
| quietly, while Curran sometimes for
got to eat, so worrying were his
thoughts. He seemed to be travel
ing on road that was constantly
filled with Instructions.
The repast was soon over. Father
Gregoire arose, giving thanks, and
went out among the tents. An In
dian child directed him to that of
Nimissuts.
Peace be with you all" he said to
the chiefs wife, who met him at the
entrance. "May / come in 2"
He was made welcome, for all the
Indians loved him, even those he had
not yet been able to gather entirely
to his fold. They knew him to be
good man, always eager to help and
succor, knowing a little of medicine,
and ever ready to give advice.
Ameou had been sitting in the
tent, but she arose when the priest
entered
81 thank thee for coming" she
said. "Indeed, | am happy for the
prayers thou are going to say. 1t
seems to me that thy voice will be
hardened to and that good may
come. Sit here, good father, on this
caribou skin"
Nimissuts greeted him, and the
young children kept very still, look
ing at the long, white beard with
much interest. 1t always was a
sight that puzzled them.
1t took but few questions TO show
the priest that the thought Of a sec
ond marriage was abhorrent to the
young woman. When he mentioned
it she bent her head hopel ~ssly, as if
she thought him also in league with
tn powers that were treating her so
harshly.
"The man Curran wants to marry
me-" she finally said "If my child
were alive | might be willing, be-
cause it might have helped my little
one to become man like his father.
But now there is only the thought of
Nimissuts, my father, and his wife,
with the little ones. | must do it if
my father insists, but / have it in
mind that death would be better
thing for me-"
After supper that evening, Fa-
Their Gregoire went again to see
ha inf Of hn Ton
dark, for night was falling fast.
The young woman was sobbing
bitterly, and the old man took one of
her hands.
81 wish now to hear all that has
happened" said Father Gregoire. 81
want to know everything, that | may
the better advise thee. AS to thy
marrying Curran unless the wish to
do so is in thy heart it would be
shameful thing"
The words came very slow at first.
Ameou's heart was near to breaking
when she spoke of her hopes of the
homecoming of her man, and when
she told of the joy that had been
hers at. the birth of little Yellow
Hair. Then she related the news Of
the awful disaster in the White Rap
ids, and of the disappearance of the
child and her vain quest.
ooh, fatherw she cried "Thou
are the Manitou limo of the white
people, and the words thou speakest
to thy Manitou are answered some
times-thou hast said. Speak to
Him now, and ask Him to relieve my
pain and be good to the spirit of
Yellow Hair, my husband and give
me back my little one if he still be
livingw
She knelt imploringly before him.
Then the others, also, melt in 81
lence. Nimissuts listened, profound
ly impressed, and the wife and chill
dren watched in wonder.
The priests voice rose in rapid ut
terance of prayers for the dead and
in slower words of consolation for
the living. After these came more
broken, hating sentences, in which
the missionary implored mercy for
the poor broken reed at his feet and
humbly begged divine compassion
whereby her awful burden might be
lightened.
The priests spoken prayers were
ended, yet his hands were till joined
together and his lips moved.
Then, outside the tent, and very
near, the subdued cry of wailing
infant was heard.
The flap Of the tent was opened
and a great pair of shoulders sur
mounted by deeply inset head be-
came darkly limned against the ris-
ing glow of the soft moonlight.
The man entered, hearing some
thing in his arms.
"Here is thy little man-child that
was lost" he said. 81 have brought
him to thee with message"
But Ameou had not listened. There
came from her a wild cry, stagger-
ing effort to rise to her feet and
grasp her treasure.
Her head bent over the precious
thing whose tiny face was soon COW
cred with it's mothers tears. The lit
tie head was pressed to the bosom
that had suffered such agony, and to
the heart that had been so overbur-
dened.
Mashkaugan kept silent, and so