Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1918-03-15
CHAPTER Xxx.
Tho Call Of Sun Rock.

In the golden glow Of the autumn
sun there came up the stream over
looked by the Sun Rock one day q
man, woman and a child in a canoe.
Civilization had done for lovely Joan
what 1t had done for many another
wild flower uansplanted from the
depths Of the wilderness. Her cheeks
were thin. Her blue eyes had lost
their luster. She coughed, and when
she coughed the man looked at her
with love and fear in his eyes. But
now, slowly, the man had 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 to them, he noted
the flush gathering once more in her
cheeks, the fuller redness of her lips,
and the gathering glow Of happiness
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.
most against his shoulder. and he
stopped padding to draw her to him,
and run his fingers through the soft
golden masses of her hair.
"You are happy again, Joan" he
laughed 5oyously. 'The doctors were
right. You are part Of the forests"
yes, am happy" she whispered.
and suddenly there came little thrill
into her voice, and she pointed to a
white finger of sand running out into
the stream. "Do you acknowledgement
and years ago, 1t seems-that Kazan
left us here? She was on the sand
over there, calling to him. Do Won
remember" There was a little trem-
Bile about her mouth, and she added, 81
wonder-where they-have gone"
The cabin was as they had left It.
Only the crimson bakneesh had grown
up about 1t, and shrubs and tall grass
mad sprung up near its walls. Once
more 1t took on life. and day by day
the color came deeper into Joan's
cheeks, and her voice was filed with
Its old wild sweetness Of song. Joan's
husband cleared the trails over his old
trap-lines. and Joan and the little Joan
transformed the cabin into home. One
night the man returned to the cabin
late, and when he came In there WINS a
glow Of excitement in Joan's blue eyes.
and tremble In her voice when she
greeted him.
ibid you hear it?" she asked. did
you hear-the CALI"
He nodded, stroking her soft hair.
II was a mile back In the creek
swamp" he said. II heard It'll"
JOan's hands clutched his arms.
1T wasn't Kazan," she said. ~
would recognize his voice. But II
seemed to me 1t was like the other
the call that came that morning from
the sand-bar, his mater"
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 Won
will never hunt or trap for wolves?"
Il had thought Of that" he replied.
Il thought of it-after l heard the call
Yes, l will promise"
Joan's arms stole up about his neck.
1--WE loved Kazan," she WHISPERED.
"And you might kill hIm-or her"
Suddenly she stopped. Both listened.
The door was little ajar. and to
them there came again the Willing
mate-call Of the wolf. Joan ran to the
door. Her husband followed. Togeth-
er they stood silent, and with tense
breath Joan pointed over the starlit
plain.
Listen! Listeni" she commanded.