The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-23

canoe, while two Inundated and exas-
perated fur men watched him until
his canoe passed from sight behind
the islands.
First blood for Sunset Housew
laughed Jim, elated with the outcome
of the visit to LeBlond's-and glow
ing with the memory of AurOre's fam
ing face. Tomorrow he should see her
alone. With her heart in her voice she
had asked him to come-this mock
ing, headstrong girl who had feared
to meet his eyes.
swell, Omar, what d'you think?
Will they keep their word and send
our friend Paradis down to Nipigon?"
The paddle of the half,breed dipped
methodically a number Of times before
he answered: "Why you hunt dat girl
wen we start for Pipestone in tree
day."
Jim's brown face slowly broke into
a smile. There was no deceiving the
astute Omar. And bis unfailing 10y
atty atoned for his meddling.
II asked you If you thought they'd
keep their word. Paradis is valuable
man; LeBlond will hate to lose him."
Thrice the long paddle of Omar
broke the water while Jim waited for
the sternman's answer. Then the slit
like eyes of the half-breed met those
of his chief as he replied: you cross
de lax again. Omar go wild you"
There was no Turing Of Omar from
his fixed idea, so, with a laugh, Jim
resumed his padding.
An anxious Sarah and Marthe stood
on the beach beside old Esau and the
yelping Smoke and the dog team,
when the canoe returned. In the eyes
of the Indian women the journey
across the lake had been in the nature
of a war party. and they chartered
with relief when they saw there had
been no casualties.
"You cross de lax cen de mornin'?"
demanded Omar.
Jim nodded.
II follow cen noder canO'. You TAX
Smoker"
Eyes, planned to send Smoke into
the bush to smell around. | won't be
caught again."
Omar shook his black head. you
nevaire see her again. wy you go?"
The head man stared in awed
silence at the sudden pain in Jim's
set face.
'That is why I am going; because
I'll never see her again." said Stuart,
in a low tone.
"Ah-hah. you lax dat girl" replied
the loyal Omar, softly. Den I go
TAX care of you"
The wide mirror of the great lake
was still shot with reflected stars
when the two canoes left Sunset
House. At the knees of each paddler,
as he pushed his boat out into the
dusk. lay rife.
Before the sunrise two canoes were
landed widely apart on the large
island, drawn up, and hidden from
sight in the "bush." Omar took his
rifle and the binoculars and crossed
dis followed her canoe that morning,
the half-breed promised himself. Lee
Blond would be relieved of his promise
unless he wanted to send dead
man to the Nipigon.
Jim had hours to wait until he could
hope for the coming of Aurore Lee
Blends canoe. So he dropped his
clothes on the sand beach and cooled
his impotence with long swim.
She was coming to meet him-this
glorious dark creature who had so
valiantly fought death over miles of
wind-driven sea, only to laugh at it.
In her pride, she had turned her
flushed face and clouded eyes from
him that he might not see; but he had
seen. Miracle though it was, those
hours at Sunset House with this girl
of the cities had wrought their mutual
spell. The humble fur-traGer, Jim
Stuart, had reached her-if not her
heart, her senses. And she was COM
ing to him here on this lonely island
to say good-by.
Jim landed and leisurely put on his
clothes. She had asked him TO be at
the sand-beach as early as he could
reach it, but had named no hour. He
looked at his watch. Seven o'clock
Too early yet 1t would take her an
hour to paddle from the post Then
he saw a canoe in the distance.
When the boat had approached to
within a half-mile Jim knew. from the
stroke, that the craft was padded by
women. 1t was she.
Presently the bow paddler waved
her hand to the man who restlessly
walked the shore. The canoe drifted
nearer. For a space, he watched the
blade of Aurore, driven by her round
arms, flash In the sun; then shortly,
her laugh reached him.
Good morning! You are early,
Monsieur Stuart" she called.
81 nave been here for hours" he
said, waiting for the dawn, and now,
she has come"
VERY pretty" With a flash of
white teeth she smiled into his eager
face as he drew the boat In to the
beach and gave her his hand, while
the eyes of the Indian girl in the stern
snapped with excitement at this secret
tryst of LeBlonds daughter and the
trader from across the lake.
Then, as she stepped to the sand.
Jim's eyes, which had not left the
radiant dark face, noted the tan linen
knickers beneath the white blouse.
"Gibodiegwason! he grinned. You
wore them in memory?"
Her dusky eyes Lit with raillery.
Eyes. In memory of our meeting-and
because they wash"
They srnad on the beach hooking of