The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-09-10

| low cry OF exultation. he came TO the
edge Of the forest; chance directed
his steps to the overgrown trail; he
followed it, and the smoke smell came
stronger to his nostrils.
It was the forest mans instinct, too,
| that added the element of caution to
his advance. That, and the utter still
ness Of the night. He broke no sticks
under his feet. He disturbed the
brush so quietly that it made no sound.
When he came at last to the little
open where Carvel's fire was still
sending a spiral of spruce-scented
smoke up into the air it was with a
stealth that failed even to rouse Ba.
rec. Perhaps, deep down In him, there
smoldered an old Suspicion; perhaps
it was because he wanted to come to
her while she was sleeping. The sight
of the tepee made his heart throb
faster. 1t was light as day where 1t
stood in the moonlight, and he saw
hanging outside 1t a few bits Of won.
/ ans apparel. He advanced soft-footed
as a fox and stood moment later
with his hand on the cloth flap at the
wigwam door, his head bent forward
to catch the merest breath of sound.
He could hear her breathing. For an
instant his face turned so that the
moonlight struck his eyes. They were
aflame with mad fire. Then, still.
very quietly, he drew aside the flap
at the door.
1t could not have been sound that
reused Baree, hidden in the black
balsam shadow a dozen PAGES away.
Perhaps it was scent. His nostrils
twifched first; then he awoke. For
few seconds his eyes glared at the
bent figure in the tepee door. He
knew that it was not Carvel. The old
smell--the man-beast's smell, filed his
nostrils like hated poison. He sprang
to his feet and stood with his lips
snarling back slowly from his long
fangs. McTaggart had disappeared.
From inside the tepee there came a
sound; a sudden movement of bodies,
startled ejaculation Of one awaken
ing from sleep-and then cry, low,
half-smothered, frightened cry, and In
response to that cry Baree shot out
from under the balsam with a sound
in his throat that had in 1t the note
Of death.
s.s
In the edge of the spruce thicket
Carvel rolled uneasiIy. Strange sounds
were rousing him. cries that in his ex-
haustion came to him as IL in dream.
At last he sat up, and then in sudden
horror leaped to his feet and rushed
toward the tepee. Nepeese was in the
open, crying the name she had given
him - "Ookimow Jeem - Ookimow -
Jeem-Ookimow Jeem-" She was
standing there white and slim, her
eyes with the blaze of the stars in
them, and when she saw Carvel she
flung out her arms to him, still crying:
"Ookimow Jeem-Oo-oo, Ookimow
Jeem-"
In the tepee he heard the rage of a
beast, the moaning cries of man. He
forgot that it was only last night he
had come, and with cry he swept
the Willow to his breast, and the VIII.
lows arms frightened around his neck
as she moaned:
"Ookimow Jeem-it Is the man-beast
in there! 1t is the man-beast from
Lac Bain-and Baree-"
Truth flashed upon Carvel. and he
caught Nepeese up in his arms and
ran away with her from the sounds
that had grown siSkening and horrible.
In the spruce thicket he put her feet
once more to the ground. Her arms
were, still tight around his neck; he
felt the wild terror of her body as it
throbbed against him; her breath was
sobbing, and her eyes were on his
face. He drew her closer, and sud-
denly he crushed his face down close
against hers and felt for an instant
the warm thrill of her lips against his
own. And he heard the whisper, soft
and trembling:
100000, Ookimow Jeem-"
When Carvel returned to the fire.
alone, his Colt In his hand. Baree was
in front Of the tepee waiting for him.
Carvel picked up burning brand
and entered the wigwam. When he
came out his face was white. He
tossed the brand In the fire and went
back to Nepeese. He had wrapped
her in his blankets, and now he knelt
down beside her and put his arms
about her.
"He is dead. Nepeese."
dead Ookimow Jeem?"
Eyes. Baree killed him."
She did not seem to breathe. Gen.
thy, with his lips in her hair, Carvel
whispered his plans for their paradise.
mo one will know. my sweetheart.
Tonight l will bury him and burn the
tepee. Tomorrow we will start for
Nelson House. where there is Mis-
sioner. And after that-we will come
back-and I will build a new cabin
where the old one burned. Do you
love me, ka sakahet?"
"Oui-yes-Ookimow Jeem-I love