The log cabin Democrat., 1921-05-09
How the Trapper Won His Bride By FREDERICK CLARKE,

Will you remember me when I am gone, Leona? Tell e!" The tone was nlasterfu.
 Perhaps"
 The man gave a sharp exclamation and catching the girl by the wrist he said sternly:
 Don't speak that way. When you do 1t cuts like knlfe," and his other hand fell half-unconsciously upon the hit of the hunting knife in his belt
 How dare you? You know, Jean Lemare, l have never told any man that love him."
 Actions speak louder than words" the man returned coldly. Those glorious eyes of yours say yes, when your lips form no. You have listened to my words of love and never turned away"
 They interested me as long as they were different" the girl returned, mad deningly.
 When you have something new to say, expect me to remember you; but until then l do not care to even listen," and the trapper was left alone with his rage and love. Until his depar- ture on the following day the spoiled beauty kept out of his way, and once he had disappeared, she drew a deep sigh of relief.
 Smiling little to herself, and vet wondering if he would study some n h hA,. I,t, l1 emerged from the dangers of the un- broken path into the wilderness, she hummed song he favored, and was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she did not hear the stealthy step of a man who stole upon her. Small won- | der that she did not, for he was skilled in tracking down the widest kind of game, and hiding his presence from the keen-scented wild things of the | unexplored North. The first that she realized that she was not alone was when Leona felt mans arms about ] her, and a mans mouth pressed to hers; and frightened almost to death she looked up into Jeans dark, fash ing eyes.
 You told me to make love differ l ently," he said, after he had kissed her breathless, "and so have. knew no other man had ever held you in his arms or taken kisses from your lips. Now I have put my stamp on you"
 With heavy sigh, and yet with the | light of hopeful love in his face, Jean | retraced his steps, and this time fairly began his long journey. For weeks | afterward, Leona felt her cheeks burn | crimson at the very thought of Jeans kisses, and yet in her heart she was not angry, for she did love him, though her untamed girlish nature rebelled l at restraint. As the days crept on, she took pleasure in the thought that she | belonged to this mighty hunter, and she began to plan her future as his l wife. Suddenly her happiness was crushed as the tender verdure beneath | the branches of the felled forest tree. After day that had seemed unusual ly long to her impatience, although one of the shortest of the year, she was sitting in the chimney corner idly listening to her father, when some of his words recalled her to attention. T didn't think that of Jean. He ought to be ashamed of such a thing" "What?" Leona asked.
 Marrying an Indian girl" was the careless answer.
 "He never did!" she said flercely, her eyes blazing in the flrelight. For week she lay Ill, and when she finally crawled forth into the open air she loved so well she was like one smitten. All her proud, young cour- age was gone. She stunned the trap pers who flocked to her fathers store, and spent her time out in the woods where Jean had kissed her maiden lips and held her in his strong arms Into this retreat no one dared pene- trate, not even Long John Hathers He would not give up the secret hope In his heart, and tried to court her, although he said but little. His eyes glowed a red fire that nothing extin- guished. Leona at first scarcely no- ticed him, thenAhated him for the love she saw he bore her, and prevented him from speaking of 1t until one day when the sun was beginning to feel warm, and she was once more in tho woods. Believing herself entirely alone, she began to live over once more the love scene of the fall be- fore, when suddenly Long John stood before her, speaking madly of his love, and pleading madly with her to return it.
 The girl fought like young tiger. She knew now that he had been a witness to her last scene with Jean, and 1t drove her mad with rage. FL nally, seeing the hateful, bearded face coming nearer and nearer, she cried ,f- C. l@l,~