The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-11-01
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Call OF Sun Rock.

In the golden glow Of the autumn
u there came w the stream over
looked by the Sun Rock one day n
man. II woman and n child In a canoe.
Civilization had done for lovely Joan
what il had done for many another
wild flower t-ransplantcd from the
depths Of the wilderness. Her checks
were thin. Her blue eyes had lost
their luster. She couChcd. and when
she %couChcd the man looked Mt her
with love and fear in his eyes. But
now, slowly, the man Ind begun To
see the transformation, and on the day
their canoe pointed up the stream and
into the wonderful valley that had
been their home before the call of the
distant city came 90 them, he noted
the flush gathering once more in her
cheeks. the fuller rcdncss of her lips,
and content in her eyes. He laughed
softly as he saw these things. and he
blessed the forests. In the canoe She
had leaned back. with her head al
mos against his shoulder. ana hc
stopped padding 10 draw her 10 him
and run his fingers through the soft
golden masses of her hair.
"You are happy again, joan" he
laughed Joyously. The doctors were
right. YOU are II part O! the forests"
Yes, | am happy" she whispered,
and suddenly there came a little thrill
into her voice, and she pointed 10 "a
white finger OF sand running out into
the stream. "Do you ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
and years ago. II Sccms-that Kazan
left us here2 She was on the sand
over there, calling To him. DO YOU
remembers" There was a little trem
BILE about her mouth. and she added. 81
wonder-whorc they-have gone"
The cabin was as they had left II.
Only the crimson baknecsh had grown
up about It, and shrubs and tall grass
had sprung up near its walls. once
more ii took on life, and day by day
the color anne deeper into Joan's
cheeks, and her voice was filled with
its old wild sweetness of song. JOINS
husband cleared the trails over his old
trap-lincs, and Joan and the little Joan
transformed the cabin into home. One
night the IA returned To the cabin
late, and when he came in there was n
glow OF excitement in Joan's blue eyes
and Il trcmble In her voice when she
greeted him.
ibid you hear it?" she asked. did
you hear-the CALI
He nodded, stroking her soft hair.
81 was a mile back in the creek
swamp" he said. 81 heard it,"
Joan's hands clutched his arms.
ut wasn't KaZan,' she said. II
would recognize his voice. But 1t
seemed to me 1t was like the other
the call that came that morning from
the sand-bar, his matc?'
The man was thinking. Joan'S fin
gers frightened. She was breathing a
little quickly.
"Will you promise me this?'' she
asked, "Will you promise me that YOU
will hunt or trap for wolves?"
81 had thought of that" ne replied.
II thought of it-aftcr | heard the call.
Yes, l will promise"
Joan's arms stole up about his neck.
ave loved Kazan," she whispered.
"And you night XIII him-or her"
Suddenly she stopped. Both listened.
The door was a little ajar, and to
them there came again the wailing
mate-call of the wolf. Joan ran To the
door. Her husband followed. Togeth-
er they stood silent, and with tense
brea h Joan pointed over the starlit
plain.
Listen! Listen" she commanded