Mountain advocate., 1922-04-14
The Eslximo's
Gift
By MALCOLM BROWN

| had sailed in her the year before only
fifteen returned. And Lieutenant An
drews led them, for Captain Scoville
had died In a snow crevice.
Andrews and Scovlle had been
cept for an Eskimo, who had been
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
under an avalanche Of snow, a hun
dred feet beneath.
II became known that Catherine
Maynard had been sought in mar
riage by the captain and the lieu
tenant also. Whispers flew, 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 Scoville.
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
preclplce." 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"
81 KNOW" said Catherine Maynard,
holding out her hands to him. "YOu
could have done nothing"
Andrews knew then that she had
heard the rumOrs.
81 cannot ask you what ! should
wish to ask until have cleared my
self" he said sadly. and went away.
He was dlshonOred man. On all
sides enemies rose up against him.
"Let somebody who can speak Es-
kimo question the boy" said his enc
mics. "Then we shall know the
truth"
Andrews made answer. his only an
swer.
"Put the boy to school," he said.
still he can speak English, and let
nlIl Dt uSkeu
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 at 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 cal
uminators or to go into exile. He
chose He went back to Catherine
Catherine" he said, drawing her
into his arms. 81 must tell you now. i
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
ishment 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 a frequent caller at Maynard's |
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, II such
had ever existed from the admiral's |
mind.
"John," said Catherine, Lieutenant |
Andrews and are going to be mar
ried."
Good" grInned the Eskimo. "In
my country we give present when |
man get married to woman"
"To think. dearest, that tomorrow
we shall begin our life together!"
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
a small package "Not for you. Miss
Catherine-for Lieutenant Andrews"
he continued.
Andrews tore It open. Inside was
magnificent pearl necklace, and with
II, a sheet of note paper In Scoville's
writing. Catherine saw II and grew
as pale as death.
"Whats this. JohnT asked An
drews quickly.
Captain Scoville give him to me-"
answered the Eskimo. "He say to me,
'Byneby Lieutenant Andrews get mar
rled Then you give this to him. Not
give to 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 1t together
my dear Andrews" lit RAM.
"If you marry Miss Maynard. as
hope and believe. give her this neck