Evening star., 1924-11-30

stood for a moment looking away to
the rim Of the forest at the west,
and did not heed the step approach
ing from behind. 1t was John Gamer
on. who stopped and looked at her.
whose deep blue eyes met hers as
she turned. And for the first time
in her life she was sharply startled
by mans eyes.
Never, she thought wonderingly,
had she beheld such brilliant pools
of sapphire light. They were clear
eyes. honest eyes, had she been able
to read them. but eyes that spoke of
stern rectitude Of spirit which bor-
dered on the fanatical. This man was
clear as the day himself and expected
a like clarity in others. He would
be hard as steel to the wrongdoer,
ror.
Good evening. ma'amselle," he
said gravely.
That was all, but Francine's heart
turned over in her breast and she
could not find the smile that came SO
readily for every chance acQuaint-
ance.
Instead she stood still, unable to
turn her eyes away from him and
neither knew how long was that deep
look.
He could not forget the clerk at
la Baine whom she had pounded
with her fists. woman who fought!
And yet-he wondered on which rose
stained cheek that unwanted kiss
had landed?
- :; !: ::
LIE went back to the factory and
L Francine Gitou carried her pail
to the shelf behind Nfnas table, but
that night she lay long awake listen
ing to the wind that whispered at
the cabins corner.
For four days she stayed at Fort
La Croix, and could stay no longer.
The SHOWS were melting and already
the surface was heavy and would
be a drag on the feet of her team and
a clog to her sledge runners. So she
came in the gray dawn to the factory
steps to load her provisions. She
took more than usual. since the ap
petites of her family grew with each
succeeding season. 1t was John CAM
eron himself who superintended the
operation. putting aside the clerk,
Arnot, and young Jamie Cameron, who
were eager to help. All men, young
and old. were eager to help Francine
Gitou. X seemed. When all was in
readiness. the last pack in place, the
last strap buckled. she looked up once
more into this new mans face and
could not laugh. Instead a strange
tightness took her throat.
We wish you safe journey. Hiss
Gitou" hc said as he took her hand.
warm from her fur-lined mitten. And
when will YOU be coming back to
Fort La Croix?"
"In the Summer, Msieu, she said.
when I have promised new cloth
Gle ynr IN la
which comes up from Quebec"
The Spring came and passed. When
II was time for the brigade to come up
from Quebec with the years stores she
set out for the post. and this time she
did not run on snowshoeS beside her
sledge. but strode through the dim
green forest like young goddess Of the
wild
John Cameron was very busy with his
augmented duties of putting in the
stores brought by the canoes which lay
at the river landing like a fiotilla, but
not so busy that he could not stop to
greet her in his grave manner, or to
look helplessiy into her black eyes.
which were like mysterious pools OF
light.
! He had little to say, just word or
two, but to F'rancine 1t was sufficient.
She smiled this time-a new smile. soft
and timid, and the factor smiled in re-
turn.
But however contained John Cameron
was in his demeanor, it was not so with
young Jamie. "Hoots. lasse.' cried
the lad gayly, running forward with an
eager hand outstretched. Have re
come back to set mems hearts af1utter?"
VIII you be stiIl?" said his brother
sternly. who taught you these thrawn
ways with stranger?'
But Francine laughed at the boys
wildness. He was an outlaw, like her
self, in spirit. and she could understand
him.
TT, is youth, M'sieu,'' she said to
Cameron gently. He means no disre-
spect.''
"She knows" said Jamie admiringly.
She's no auld grumpy body like yer
sell, John. and I've a mind to kiss her
on the spot!
The factor blushed like a girl, and
Francine reaching over with one long
arm, cuffed the stripling's ears deftly
and thoroughly. He was within six
years Of her own age, but to her he
seemed a spoiled child, as, indeed, he
had been all his life.
That was a wondrous visit. Summer
in the North can caress the spirit to a
veritable stupor Of delight. Soft sun
light kissed the waters Of the river. gay
flowers bleomed their short day in prodi-
gal profusion, and by the stockade wall
a fiddler in brilliant cap and sash set
the feet Of youth to dancing Francine
had never danced. She had been too
busy at the graver business Of life,
namely, the food getting. But now she
stood at the crowds fringe in the
Pickering bonfire's light and watched
the pretty figures with keen pleasure.