The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-11-18

canoes and my small peterboro would
I'LL tonight Your father must have
crossed In q big boat There's moth
Ing TO do but wait for him"
"Then I can have another cigarette
and we can talk unril they come"
Was she strangely callous. be won
dered, or totally without nerves, that
she could calmly curl herself In a
chair and smoke while her desperate
father and his men hunted q rocky
shore. white with surf, for her canoe
and drowned body? Most women
would have paced the clearing outside
lihood this vivid creature. who for
few hours had shared the hospitality
of Sunset House. would never again
cross his path. In the autumn she
would return to the world outside,
and. In the meantime, in spite of Lee
Blends gratitude, the rivalry between
the trading posts and the open hos
tility between the company servants
would prevent Stuart's seeing her.
LET me see." she was saying, I'm
TO be here six. seven weeks more.
How am | to endure that Paradis all
that timer"
you might get your father TO send
him TO Fort Hope" he suggested.
THAT'S good ideal I'll do It"
as she added suggestively: But you
know. Mr.. Jeem Stuart, I'm going to
be lonely for some one to talk to-"
$50 am l, Miss Aurore LeBlond."
well. the answer is obvious. Wen
talk TO each other"
He shook his head. Il can't come to
your fathers place. There'd be war.
You'll have to swamp again in the
lake" he suggested with grin.
What? Wait that long? The wind
might not blow for days"
Omar's dark face. following a call
outside, appeared at the door.
'Dey build fire wen dey see my lam
tern. l fink boat follow de shore.
now"
Let's go and see," the girl sug-
gested.
With the wash Of the surf on the
boulders of the shore and the drive
Of the wind through the neighboring
forest in their ears, they stood on the
beach, peering into the black night.
Shortly, a light blinked through the
murk.
Its q lantern-in a canoe" ex-
planned Stuart They're coming for
you"
He felt her hand on his arm-felt
her wind-blown hair on his face as he
bent to hear what she said. His blood
stirred at her touch.
when will they get here?" she
called through her cupped hands.
'Soon, now"
Lets go back and talk until they
Gomez
So the two returned to the house
while the sullen Omar waited on the
beach.
"You know that little island-I think
it's the one farthest TO the east-with
all the rocks and boulders on the
shore?" she asked.
"Yes."
you remember that split rock which
stands partly in the water? Well, Ii
you were to look behind that rock.
some day, you might find note from
a very much bored person-that is, IL
you cared to go there and look"
Stuart thrilled at the thought Of
what her words implied. She wanted
to see him again-wanted TO talk TO
him. Then the hopelessness of the
situation-the sheer recklessness of
attempting TO meet the daughter Of
LeBlond secretly-forced itself upon
him.
"You mean you would paddle there
some day-elone?" Stuart asked,
wondering what manner of girl this
was who so lightly put her trust in a
stranger.
perhaps should so far forget N.Y.
self" she replied archly. ''if / found
an answer TO my note"
"Try meI' he urged, reckless of the
outcome in his desire TO see again this
girl so wildly alive. so battling to his
curiosity.
Her dark eyes flashed the chal-
lenge: you will be bored, too?"
How can / help being bored-after
today?"
You're improving" A red lip
curled in satisfaction. "a little more
training and you'll be"
The yelping of dogs and the sound
of voices outside, above the beat Of
wind. stopped her.
Here they areI He's coming-dear
old dad!
Stuart stepped to the door TO meet
the man who had. the winter before,
down on the railroad at Wabigoon,
boosted openly that two years would
see the end of Sunset House
"Aurore my girl? She is here"
The agitated LeBlond. delirious with
joy at the news given him al the shore
by Omar. pushed past the man who
opened the door. "Aurore, my childi
Ma cherie!"
"Dadi Mon pauvre PEREZ Good
old dadi"
AS the trader took his daughter In
his arms. in a swift glance Jim Stuart's
curious eyes measured the rival he
had never seen. LeBlond was little
taller than the girl. but the set Of the
iron-gray head OF the square shoulders
the bold nose and chin Of the dark
profile suggested the force and daring
which his reputation had given him.
Closing the door behind him. Stuart
remained outside with the two men
who had followed LeBlond TO the
house. In the blackness the Hudson's
Ray man could not see the faces of the
Alr--o5 ebonoc hoSido him Then fho