Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-05-13

e played lnce88@nfty. $50 mucn mac nap
] pened that the winter seemed unusual
{ " long-was. In fact, q bit on thell
nerves. and the spring would be mos
/: welcome Some day. Sc. Onge suggest
: ed. Il might be possible for Steele g
revisit the valley Of the Wailing. BE
knew the way and bis friends thers
] would live for that day.
The other letter was shorter Il ran:
Dear Monsieur Steele:
"a violln-and q Nicolo Amati ]
-FOUR generosity ana your thought OF
me make these words but feel le
things. You. to whom gratitude Is dis
tasteful. must jet endure my heartfelt
thanks. not only for the rare gift. but
for the journey you made for my peace
OF mind through that terrible vino
and cold The violin win ever be 3
living memory OF one who came.
stranger. to two lonely and hopeless
creatures. and left them. facing tha
future with courage.
Denise St Onge.
II only the letter had given him q
sign that she wanted hlm-needed
him, instead OF dwelling on her graft
tude. She was 30 proud and so brave.
II only he had taken her In his arms
ahat last night, and learned from her
eyes, the blood In her face. the beat OF
her heart, whether she was paying q
debt OF honor or-loved him.
Then, late In May. came letter
addressed by a hand unused to the
pen. and postmarked at Neplgon sta
ton on the Canadian Pacific. David
doubtless had news and some one had
written for him. Steele opened the
envelope and read with increasing
wonder and delight:
''Miseu Steele
''Iv you weesh mamsel You burn up
de tran to Wailing Reeyer queek All
de long snow she have play an play
de sad museec an cry on her bed.
Wen we go on hill first tam she lift
her arm TO de sout an say, Cum bak
to me. Dat mean you. You cum lax
de win. Michel tax dis to de railroad, |
he an me get marry wen meesnary
cum in June Charlotte"
It was from the faithful Ojibway
woman who had for 30 long faithfully /
served Denise.
That night the Montreal sleeper out
OF New York carried a man whose
gray eyes were strangely happy. A
week later two friends were polling
the nose Of a canoe into the spring
freshet Of the Jackfish as II pursued
by a Windigo Farther on they reck-
lessly ran in succession each white
water Of the swollen Rouge. Down
Ogoke, the measured churn-swlsh.
churn-swish OF lunging blades marked
on the miles to the outlet. Then rid
ing the flood water Of the racing WALL
Ing, one afternoon the canoe slid into
the beach Of the post
In the trade-house Steele and David
found ST. Onge and his head-man.
There were surprised greetings then:
4 have come fcr Der" announced the
American. FWhere Is ghew
"She has gone to the ridge" an
swered st. Onge With shining eyes
you win find her with her violin
alone"
At the edge Of the scrub, below the
bare brow Of the hill. Steele stopped,
with heart which Jared him with its {
beat. he wanted to watch her--listen Z
% her pIaying-before making his e
.oming known, With q ghakEng hand I
re parted the spruce and looked
Silhouetted against the soft May 4
ky, she stood with her violin, facing +
rom him. Presently she tilted her Il
read and drew the bow across the
trings. Family drifted down to him c
be haunting minors OF the 'Elegie"
e first heard at the rapids-the sym
oil Of her fears and despair.
Then, Of sudden. the far call OF o.
rrant Canadas troke Ia on the strains 10
the violin. The girl stopped short N
n and searched the sky for the wedge m
geese Out Of the south she saw OF
lem coming and opened her arms be
hen, as the violin changed Its mood te
broke into her own, "When Spring nc
ONES North" he noiselessly APP wi
reached her. nj
She finished. and as the last Of the oil
'ck passed overhead, waved her bow, TIC
soodbyi GOODBYE she called. as to
9 wanderers faded into the north. me
II have followed them back to you" so
'oke a low voice behind her. cr'
The girl turned startled eyes on the sd
an who stood smiling. Over her tni
roat and face up to the dusky hair IN
ounted the blood nc
''YouI" she faItered- TITS not
eam7r "a
Il have come back" he said, "for
ur gratitude"
MY gratitudeY' She smiled through ~
st-veiled eyes, as he stood beside
r. ~You ask no moreT And she aur
s in his arms, his face buried in the
zen hair. 7
'DenIseI Denisei" ls
She raised her flaming face to his. of
q there on the hilltop they stood.
ivious Of the world. a
DO you think this gratitudeTs she mil