The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-03

learned the truth about her
fathers obsession.
Ten years before Andrew Renfrew,
tired Of the struggle for life in the
cities Of eastern Canada, had taken
his wife and household goods and
moved to the north Of Saskatchewan.
There he had become a trapper.
They lived entirely alone in the
wilderness. Their little sod cabin held
a good deal of happiness, none the
less. Both were satisfied, the woman,
because she loved her husband, the
man, because some primitive strain in
him came out and answered to the
call of the Far North. Besides. there
was Marie, their only child.
Then Maggie Renfrew closed her
eyes forever upon the earthly scene,
leaving the desolate man alone with
the child. And because he had always
longed for boy. he brought her up
as boy. =
Her only companions were the In
dams who came, rarely enough, to
the little place to offer furs-for An
drew had started small trading post
now that he was getting too weak to
trap. Once in a great while, toos some
officer Of the police would off-saddle
at the little cabin for day or so and
bring news of the outside world.
"You ought to send that girl south
to school," said Robert MacFarlane,
the second time he came, looking at
Marie, who, now sixteen, still dressed
in boys furs, and wore her short
cropped, f1axen hair about her ears.
Old Andrew thumped his fist upon
the table.
'T've brought her up as boy" he
said "She's been son to me. That's
enough. Pm not open to argument"
MacFarlane thought it shame. He
began to pass that way more often.
Each time it was clearer that Andrew
could not live very long. He had
meant to breach the subject again. but
when he came the fourth time, Marie
being now nearly eighteen, to his sur
prise it was the old trapper who
brought up the matter.
II haven't long to live, Robert" he
said. 1--WE been thinking over what
you said to me, and-I guess you're
right, Bob. But she don't need no
schooling. Books she's had a-plenty.
I guess she could hold her own with
any Of them so far as schooling's con-
cerned But what'll come to her after
I'm gomez"
"You ought to take her SOUTH" said
MacFarlane.
"She wouldn't want to go SOUTH
answered the old man. ut may be
made a mistake in bringing her up
in the wilds. But it's become nature
now, and It's her life. Bob, I want
to get her married to a good man.
You're only forty, Bob. You never
married. What would you think OF
Marie for a wife?"
AS he finished speaking the girl
came. She was dressed as woman
now, and she blushed shyly when Bob
looked at her. The officer had never
thought Of her in that way. His heart
leaped.
"Think it over, Bob" said old An.
drew when they parted. "Theres
plenty Of time. Let me know when
You come back next year. I won't be
dead by then.
When they had gone Andrew asked
Marie:
How would you like to marry
BobY'
The girl looked at him drearily. ~
never thought Of marrying, father"
she answered.
'But you won't always have me,
child" he answered, as gently as he
could. And you can't live alone here"
She began to cry, and Andrew said
no more. But the next day she came
to him and consented.
The following spring Bob came
back. With him was young man of
twenty-five, whom he introduced to
the old trapper. He did not think 1t
necessary to introduce him to Marie.
"This is Mr.. Milvaine, an English
man." he said. 'He takes the factors
place at the fort next month. Pm
showing him the country"
Old Andrew grunted and nodded.
MacFarlane continued:
i've thought over that proposition
of yours all winter, Renfrew, and it
suits me. guess I can make her
happy, and forty-one isn't too old,
neither"
He did not say that he had thought
over the proposition until his whole
heart had gone out toward the girl.
He wanted her more than anything on
earth. But he did not think it neces-
sary to say that, either to Andrew or
to the girl.
When Marie came In Andrew took
her hand and gave 1t to Bob.
you'll suit each other" he said.
'rll get you to bring Reverend Spears
along with you when you come for
her. I'll be glad to see her off my
hands. / won't last through the year."
He did not last through the month.