Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-11-12

sweetness In the air he breathed-
the perfume of hyacinth. There war
not only this perfume, but the same
paper, the same delicately pretty
writing of the letter he had burned
more than week before. He made
no effort to suppress the exclama-
tion of astonishment that broke from
his lips. Breed was staring at him
when he lifted his eyes.
This 10 q mighty strange coinci
dence, Breed" he said, regaining his
composure. II could almost swear
that know this writing. and yet OF
course such n thing is impossible.
Still, it's mighty queer. Will you let
me keep the letter until tonight? I'd
like to take it over to the cabin and
compare it"
Needn't return it at ALL" inter-
rupted the factor. Hope you find
something interesting to tell me at
supper-five sharp. 1t will be a
blessing II you know EN-"
Ten minutes later Steele was in
the little cabin which he and Nome
occupied while at Lac Balm. Jack,
the Cree, had build rousing fire in
the long sheet-iron stove, and as
Steele opened it's furnace-like door. a
flood of light poured out into the
gathering gloom of early evening.
Drawing a chair full into the light,
he again opened the letter. Line for
line and word for word he scrutinized
the writing. and with each breath
that he drew he found himself more
deeply thrilled by a curious mental
excitement which 1t was impossible
for him to explain.
According to the letter, Colonel
and Mrs. Becker had arrived at
Churchill aboard the London ship a
little over month previously. He
remembered that the date on the let
ter from the girl was six weeks old
At the time it was written, Colonel
Becker and his wife were either in
London or Liverpool, or crossing the
Atlantic. No matter how similar the
two letters appeared to him. he real
lied that, under the circumstances,
the same person could not have writ
ten them both.
For many minutes he sat back in
his chair, with his eyes half.closed,
absorbing the comforting heat OF the
fire. Again the old vision returned
to him. In a subconscious sort of
way he found himself fighting against
1t, as he had struggled a score OF
times to throw of l:s presence. since
the girls letter had come to him.
And this time, as before, his effort
was futile. He saw her ,again-and
always as on that night of the Haw-
kins' ball, eyes and lips smiling at
him, the light shining gloriously in
the deep red gold Of her hair.
With an effort Steele aroused him
self and looked at his watch. 1t was
quarter of five. He stopped to
close the stove door, and stopped
suddenly. his hand reaching out. head
and shoulders hunched over. Across
his knee, shining in the freight, like
thread of spun gold, lay a single
filament of a woman's hair.
He rose slowly, holding the hair
between him and the light His fin
gers trembled, his breath came quick
ly. The hair had fallen upon his
knee from the letter-or the envel-
ope, and it was wonderfully like her
hair!
From the direction of the factors
quarters came the deep believing OF
Breeds moose-horn. calling him to
supper. Before he responded to it.
Steele wound the silken thread OF
gold about his finger, then placed it
carefully among the papers and cards
which he carried in his leather wal
let. His face was flushed vixen he
Joined the factor Not since the night
at the Hawkins ball. when lie had
felt the touch of beautiful woman's
hands, the warmth of her breath, the
soft sweep OF her hair against his lips
surrender, had thought of woman
stirred him as he felt himself stirred
now. He was glad that Breed was
too much absorbed in his own trou.
bles to observe any possible change
in himself or to ask questions about
the letter.
81 tell you. it may mean the short
birch for me. Steele" said the factor
gloomily. Lac Balm Is just now the
emptiest, most fallen-to- pieces, un-
business-like post between the Atha-
basca and the Bay. We've had two
bad seasons running. and everything
has gone wrong. Colonel Becker is
big one with the company. Amt
no doubt about that, and ten to one
he'll think it's new man that's
wanted here"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Steele. A
sudden fash shot into his face as he
looked hard at Breed. See here,
how would you like to have me go
out to meet them?" he asked. sort
of welcoming committee of one, you
know. Before they got here I could
casually give 'em to understand what
Lac Balm has been up against during
tho last fwO aaaRnnso