Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-20
CHAPTER X-(Coniinued)

strength, by the warmth OF a great
love, by the knowledge that he was the
protector Of a creature dearer to him
than all else on earth. The truth of
It set Jeanne quivering. She reached
out until in the darkness her two
hands found one of Philips, and for
moment she held his paddle motion.
less In midair
"Thank you M'sieur," she whispered.
"r trust you, as I would trust Pierre
All the words that women had ever
spoken to him were as nothing TO
those few that fell softly from Jeannes
lips. In the clinring presence of her
fingers as she uttered them were the
concentrated joys OF all that he had
dreamed of in the touch OF women.
\, He knelt silent, motioniess, until her
ha: left his own.
1T az to take you to Fort o God"
he said.A Afghting to keep the tremble
Of Joy out of his voice. And you
you must guide me-"
"It is far up the Churchill" SHE re-
piled. understanding the question he
intended. cit is two hundred miles
from the bay
He put his strength into his paddle
for ten minutes, and then ran the
canoe into shore fully half mile
above the sand.bar. He stepped out
into water up to his knees.
1--WE must risk a little time here 10
attend TO your injured ankle" he ex-
planned. "Then you can arrange your
self comfortably among these robes in
the bow. Shall carry you?"
you can-help," said Jeanne. She
gave him her hand and made an ef.
fort to rise. Instantly she sank back
with sob OF pain.
It was strange that her pain should
Ali him with a wonderful Joy. He knew
that she was suffering, that she could
not walk or stand alone And yet,
back at the camp. she had risen in
her torture and had come to his res.
cue. She could not bear her own
weight now, but then she had run to
him and had fought for him. The
knowledge that she had done this. ana
for him. filled him with an exquisite
sensation.
IT must carry you" he said, speak
ing to her with the calm decision that
he might have voiced TO little child.
His tone reassured her, and she made
no remonstranCe when he lifted her
in his arms. For a brief moment she
l.
lowered her upon the bank his hand
accidentally touched the soft warmth
OF her face.
MY specially is sprains," he said
speaking a little lightly to raise her
spirits for the instant's ordeal through
which she must pass. Il have doc
tored half a dozen during the last
three months You must take off your
moccasin and your stocking and !
will make a bandage."
He drew a big handkerchief from
his pocket and dipped it in the water
Then he searched along the shore Tor
q dozen PAGES, until he found an Indian
willow. With his knife he scraped OF
a handful OF bark, soaked il in water
crushed it between his hands and re-
turned to her Jeanne's little foot lay
naked in the starlight
1T will hurt just a moment he
eaid, gently. But it is the only cure
Tomorrow it will be strong enough for
Sou TO stand upon. Can you bear q
little hurt?'
He knelt before her and looked up
scarce daring to touch her foot before
she spoke,
II may cry" she said,
Her voice huttered. but it gave hin
permission. He folded the wet hand
kerchief IN the form Of a bandage
with the willow bark spread over 1t
Then, very gently. he seized her foo
in one hand and her ankle in III
other.
1T will hurt just a little h
soothed. only a moment
His fingers frightened, He put int
them the whole strength Of his grill
pulling downward on the foot and up
ward on the ankle until, with 10y
cry, Jeanne nunE ner ndHuS over ms
There, 1t is done" he laughed. ner'
ously. He wrapped the bandage $
tightly that Jeanne could not NOV
her foot, and tied it with strips {
cloth. Then he turned TO the cano
while she drew on her stocking an
moccasin.
He was trembling, A madden'n
1oy pounded in his brain. Jeanne
voice came 10 him sweetly, with
sbyness in it that made him feel lik
boy. He was glad that the nigf
concealed his face. He would hay
given worlds to have seen Jeanne's'
"I am ready" she said.
He carried her to the bow OF Il
canoe and fixed her among the robe
arranging a place for her head so thi
she might sleep IL she wished. F'
the first time the light was 50 that !
could see her plainly as she nestle
hack in the place made for her. The
ewes met for a moment
you must sleep" he urged,
shall paddle all night"
"You are sure that Pierre is m
badly hurt?" she asked, tremulousl
"you-you would not-keep the trut
fiom me?'
..,Ia was not more than stunned