The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-11-11
CHAPTER XVI

What could be done, Etienne and
Old Anne, under the dictions of the
nurse, had done for the dead. In the
morning, protected by cache of logs,
he would be buried in the snow until
the spring would admit of the digging
of a grave.
you need air and change from this
place" Garth said to Joan. "The stars
are out; put on your coat and let's
walk. 1 have much to say to you"
1T would be good. I think I'd like
to walk on the river ice," she agreed
And with Shot as escort, they crossed
the clearing.
you never told me why you stayed
at Albany" he began after a silence.
She did not meet his eyes, but
looked far to the east where the moon,
sliced in half, like a mammoth cheese,
by the roof of Akimiski, bathed the
indigo barrens with silver.
as it a secret?" he pressed.
81 was needed there" N"
"And now, because Of my bringing
you into this, you can't go back"
''They will gladly have me back
they need me-"
But so do /, Healer of Wounds, +
need you. Won't you listen-believe
what l say?' His voice broke with
emotion he could not control.
She stopped.
"Please, beg of you, never call me
that again."
"Why, I'm sorry-I didn't know" he
faltered, puzzled by her mood. ut
means so much to me-a badge of
honor, an accOlade."
Eyes, at first, but it has come to
mean to me" she checked herself.
He waited, watching the light touch
her sober face.
1T has come to mean to me-" she
went on, something humiliating-
hateful"
"Why, my dear child!" he gasped
in ACCOMPLISHMENT. "Humiliating? I'm
proud-so proud, to love the woman
who has been healer of wounds"
"Oh, but you don't understand
can't see! And how am to tell you?"
IF, after what we've been through
together" he said passionately, ''if,
knowing that you are all my world
all l have left to cling to, to fight for,
you can't be frank with me-
You tell lie that you care for me-"
she broke in bitterly, then why is she
therein your room, where you can
see herr If you've forgotten-as
you say"
He raised his mitten to his forehead
as if dazed, then turned a face tense
with candor. rs she stilI-there?''
Still there? Don't you know that
the three Hkenesses are in your room,
now?"
He smiled as one smiles at the
caprice of child. 1T is so long since
I'd noticed them, 1 had forgotten
Then, dimly at first, in moment he
saw-"Healer of Wounds! !" he MUIR
INJURED. "Oh, you think there's scar,
a wound unhealed-the memory of her,
that can't forget?" he cried. Ethel!
You think you're healing the wounds
Ethel left-a substitute. Is that it,"
She would not meet his smiling eyes.
Long before met you," he went
on, "she had become shadow. l had
come to see her as she was-the shall
lowness, the hardness of her. Then
there came sailing across the strait
girl with eyes that never wavered-
a heart al gold, and hair" he laughed
at the anti-climax, that the wind
loved to play with. Like the soldier
she was, she forgot self In the work at
hand. With those clear eyes, saw the
truth. And when / left her that night
on the shore Of the Albany loved
her."
With a catch In the throat, Joan
Quarter lifted her face to the moon
fight. The sensitive mouth quivered be-
low clouded eyes, fiercely questioning.
you cared for me, you say, but
each morning you looked at the lovely
creature you had lost-and felt-just
a bit sorry for her, for yourself, Ell,
Major GuthrieY
He hardly recognized the voice, so
hoarse, so bitter was the note on
which she finished.
Hopelessly he shook his head. As If
to himself, he muttered in protest:
They were there with those of the
family, untouched, because unthought
of. 1 was away-hardly slept In the
room after leaving you at Albany, up
the coast, inland after Souci, on the
island. Do you think l would have
turned to you in my need-asked You
to come up herewith all 1t meant-if
1 had not loved your he pleaded.
But in her overmastering pride, Joan
Quarter was obdurate.
Let us walk" she said, mechanical
ly, and started on.
They walked a mile up the river
trail. and turning, faced the pulsing
aurora. The stinging air had lured
the color to her cheeks, the shadows
left her somber eyes. They Wed in
naming the colors in the intermittent
glow Of the northern lights, identified
stars, for the moment forgot them
selves In the stimulation of keen air
and leaping pulses.
As they neared the post. her moe
casin slipped on the ice-hard trail.
With q swift movement he caught her,