The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-01-19
The Eskin1c's
Gift
By MALCOLM BROWN


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 snow crevice.
Andrews and Scoyille had beer
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, hun
bred feet beneath.
1t 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
precipice," Andrews explained. 'In an
rocky sides of the mountain. He was
killed instantly, and buried under the
snow Rescue, was impossible"
II 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 l have cleared N.Y.
self. he said sadly. and went away.
He was dishonored 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
sver.
''Put the boy to school," he said
"ti!l he can speak English, and let
him be asked the truth"
Andrews lived In a little cottage in
Maine
Tie Eskimo boy was being educated
at 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-
uuered 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 weat back TO Catherine
Catherine" he said, drawing her
into his arms. Il must tell you now.l
love YOU"
eyes, dear" she answered simply,
and raised her lips to bis.
That was the manner of Andrews
return to his world, and to his aston
iSIiihcllit lie loNhi thdt tuC doVio
which had been closed against him
were open again.
Waa-tak-kaw, the Eskimo, or John
as he had come to be called. could
pow speak English fairly well. He
was 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, If such
had ever existed, tom the admiral's
mind.
"John," SAID Catherine, Lieutenant
RED"
"Good,a grinned the Eskimo. "In
my country we give present when
man get married to woman"
ITO think, dearest, that tomorrow
we shall begis our life together"
whispered Catherine. as they sat to-
gether in the house.
"Mr. John, sIiss Maynard" an
nounced the old butler.
John cane smiling in:o the room.
'In my country give marriage pres.
emit night before" he said, extending
a small pacgage; mot for you, Miss
Catherine-f3r Lieutenant Andrews
he continued
Andrews tore 1t open. Ipside was a
magnificent pearl necklace, and. with
1t, sheet of note paper in Seoyille's
writing Catherine saw 1t and grew
as pale as death.
"What's 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 itT' asked her lover
"Yes. dearest" she answered brave
fy. They read it together
my dear Andrews cit ran)
eff you marry Miss Maynard as
hope and believe, give her this neck
lace as a last gift to her from one
who will not see her again. God bless
you both my dear friend.
John SCOvILLE."
Catherine looked at Andrews and
her eyes were full Of tears.
HE loved me-" she whispered. "He
all but asked me. But he knew-he
knew that it was you. And he-he- ',
HE did not mean to return" said
Andrews huskily.
do you see what that letter means,
dear?" she continued.
1T means answered the lieutensnt
my vindication."
Hearty Eaters.