The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-10-12
The Eskimo's
Gift
By MALCOLM BROWN


magnetic pole. The Catherine" had
returned, but OF the twenty-nine who
had sailed In her the year before only
fifteen returned. And Lieutenant An
drews led them, for Captain Scoyille
had died In a snow crevice.
Andrews and Scoville had been
alone at the time Of the disaster. ex-
brought back to New York. These
three had been separated from the
rest of the party by forty miles Of Ice
and snow. Lieutenant Andrews and
his boy returned to the ship and the
| lieutenant reported the catastrophe.
Help had been impossible. Scoville
had slipped over the edge and fallen
dred feet beneath.
II became known that Catherine
| Maynard had been sought In mar
rlage by the captain and the lieu
tenant also. Whispers few, suspicious
grew. Instead of the reception such
as a hero should receive. Lieutenant
Andrews was robbed of his triumph
and Stunned by all. They said that
he had killed Scovllle.
Andrews knew what. was said. but
he had his duty to perform. He car
ried the news to Catherine.
"He slipped on the very edge Of the
preclpice," Andrews explained. "In an
instant he was gone, down the sheer
rocky sides of the mountain. He was
killed instantly, and buried under the
snow. Rescue, was impossible"
'I know" said Catherine Maynard,
holding out her hands to him. "You
could have done nothing"
Andrews knew then that she had
heard the rumors.
Il cannot ask you what I should
wish to ask until have cleared my
SELF he said sadly, and went away.
He was a dlshonored man. On all
sides enemies rose up against him.
Let somebody who can speak Es-
klmo question the boy" said his enc
mics. "Then we shall know the
truth"
Andrews made answer, his only an
swer.
"Put the hoy to school," he said,
"till he can speak English, and let
him be asked the truth"
Andrews lived in little cottage In
| Maine
The Eskimo boy was being educated
| at a public school.
All the while Catherine Maynard
| fought with her pride. She knew that
| Andrews loved her, but she could
never speak unless he told her. He
| did not come. and mt last love con-
| quered pride. She wrote to him.
When Andrews received GATHERINGS
letter he had to make his decision:
Either to go back and face his ca,
umlnators or to 20 into exile, He
chose. He went X to Catherine
Catherine" he said, drawing her
into his arms, 81 must tell you now.
love you"
"Yes, dear" she answered simply,
and raised her lips TO his
That was the manner OF Andrews
return to his world, and to his aston
lshment he found that all the doors
which had been closed against him
were open again,
Wan-tak-Baw. the Eskimo, or John,
as he had come to be called. could
now speak English fairly well. He
was n frequent caller at Maynards
home. In spite of the professors he
was able to give very clear account
Of the accident. which utterly ban.
ished all shadow Of suspicion. If such
had ever existed, from the admiral's
| mind.
"John," said Catherine. Lieutenant
Andrews and arc going to be mar
ried."
Good" grinned the Eskimo. an
my country we give present when
man get married to woman"
"To think, dearest, that tomorrow
we shall begin our life togetherw
whispered Catherine. as they sat to-
gether in the house.
"Mr. John, Miss Maynard" an
nounced the old butler.
John came smiling into the room.
"In my country give marriage pres
ent night before" he said. extending
small package. mot for you. Miss
Catherlne-for Lieutenant Andrews"
lie continued
Andrews tore II open. Inside was a
magnificent pearl necklace, and. with
IT, a sheet of note paper in ScoviIlc's
writing Catherine saw It and grew
as pale as Death.
"what's this. John?" asked An
drews quickly.
Captain Scoville give him to me-"
answered the Eskimo. 'He say to me,
Byneby Lieutenant Andrews get mar
ried. Then you give this to him. Not
give 20 girl. give to him. You say
nothing till he ready TO get married."
catherine. dear, do you think you
had better read it?" asked her lover.
"Yes dearest" she answered brave
iy. They read II together
"My dear Andrews" lit ran).