The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-06-04
Chapter VII-Continued
wNU Service

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On the floor of the cabin Nepeese
dropped on her knees and finished I'M
wrapping the blanket. She was not
afraid of Baree She had forgotten
McTaggart And then, as Baree
rolled in limp heap on the floor, she
saw his half-closed eyes and the dry
blood on his jaws, and the light left
her face as swiftly as the sun is sha-
dowed by a cloud
''Baree," she cried softly. 'Baree-
Baree!'
The voice of the Willow thrilled
Baree. 1t seemed to stir the sluggish
blood in his veins, and he opened his
eyes wider and saw again the wonder
full stars that had glowed at him so
softly the day Of Wakayooo's death.
One of the Willows long braids fell
over her shoulder, and he smelled
again the sweet scent of her hair as
her hand caressed him and her voice
talked to him. Then she got up sud
denly and left him, and he did not
move while he waited for her. In a
moment she was back with basin of
water and cloth. Gently she washed
the blood from his eyes and mouth.
And still Baree made no move. He
scarcely breathed. But Nepeese saw
the little quivers that shot through
his body when her hand touched him,
like electric shocks.
"He beat you with club" she was
saying, her dark eyes within foot Of
Baree's. "He beat you! That man
beaSt!"
There came an interruption. The
door opened, and the man-beast stood
looking down on them. grin on his
red face. Instantly Baree showed
that he was alive. He sprang back
from under the Willows hand with a
sudden snarl and faced McTaggart.
The hair of his spine stood up like a
brush; his fangs cleaned menacingly.
"There is a devil in him." said Me-
Taggart "He is wild-born of the
wolf. You must be careful or he will
take off hand, ka sakahet!" 1t was
the first time he had called her that
lovers name in Cree-sweetheart !!
Her heart pounded. She bent her
head for O. moment over her clenched
hands, and McTaggart-looking down
on what he thought was her confusion
Laid his hand caressingly on her
hair. From the door Pierrot had
heard the word, and now he saw the
caress, and he raised hand as If to
shut out the sight of sacrilege.
'Mon Dieu!" he breathed
In the next instant he had given a
sharp cry of wonder that mingled
with q sudden yell Of pain from Nc
Taggart. Like flash Baree had
his teeth in the Factors leg. They
had bitten deep before McTaggart
freed himself with powerful kick.
With an oath he snatched his revol-
yer from its holster. The Willow was
ahead of him. With little cry she
darted to Baree and caught him in
her arms. AS she looked up at Nc
Taggart, her soft, bare throat was
within few inches of Baree's naked
fangs. Her eyes blazed.
You beat him!" she cried. "He
hates you-hates you"
LET him got" called Pierrot in an
agony of fear. Mon Dieu! / say
let him 60 or he will tear the life from
you'll"
HE hates you-hates you-hates
.xo,, %ho fxy;lIou, panaofiy,r nyau
and over again into McTaggart's star
tied face. Then suddenly she turned to
her father. mo, he will not tear the
life from me-" she cried. See! 1t is Ba-
rec. Did not tell you that? 1t is
BARGE! Is it not proof that he de-
Tended me-"
From me" gasped McTaggart. his
face darkening.
Pierrot advanced and laid hand
on McTaggart's arm. He was smiling.
'Let us leave them to fight 1t out
between themselves. msieu," he said.
"They are two little tirebrands, and
we are not safe. If she Is bitten"
He shrugged his shoulders. A great
load had been lifted from them sud-
denly. His voice was soft and per-
suasive. And now the anger had gone
out of the Willows face. A coquet-
fish uplift of her eyes caught MeTag-
CART, and she looked straight ut him,
half smiling, as she spoke to her fa-
Their:
81 will join you soon, mon ,pere--
you and Msieu the Factor from Lac
Balm !" -
There were undeniable little devils
in her eyes, McTaggart thought--llttle
devils laughing full ut him as She
spoke, setting his brain aiire and his
blood to running wildly. Those eyes
full of dancing witches! How he
would tame them and play with them
very AEON now. He followed Pier
rot outside. In his exultation he no
longer felt the smart of Baree's teeth.
II will show you my new carlole that
/ have made for winter. m'sieu." said
Pierrot as the door closed behind
them.