Evening star., 1933-12-06
CHAPTER Xxx.
sONYA,s SECRET.

SONYA'S SECRET.
luX you know I'm Russian" sonya
" went on. "If it were possi-
BILE, I'd 60 back to Russia
and try to play some part
there, however small. When
I flared out at you that evening. II
was just my narrow personal feelings
But can't 60 back. I'd probably be
imprisoned the minute I landed. And
besides I've been in Canada IL years
and feel Canadian, and a person can
do something here, too.
when I say useful Curt, don't
mean professional uplifters and fussy
reformers who 60 around prying into
other peoples way of living and trying
to make everybody conform to their
own standards. Heavens no! But there
are roles where men can do real good
Men with a conscience. mean-and
you've got conscience"
Curt wished he could tell her Of tina.
evening in Edmonton when he had
thrown away the Consolidated offer and
taken on the Karakhan hunt. She
would applaud that, where Rosalie had
called him fool and had utterly failed
Sonya's words. "idling around pleas
antly," and he knew that that was how
she would regard his plans to return
North, if she knew about them.
Near o'clock they came to little
bay, went ashore, gathered flrewood and
cleared place for the two tents II
was the prettiest camp site of their trip
They sat down under pine to wait
for the other canoes. Curt plucked
nervously at the leaf Of a maidenhaiI
fern He could stave of his talk with
! Sonya no longer.
There's something I'd like to under
stand. Sonya. It's none of my busi-
ness, except that I've got friends in
terest in you and Ralph"
Sonya interrupted: II know what
you're going to say-that we're no,
entomologists. Ralph told me you asked
him about that beetle I knew you were
suspicious and would find us out some
time"
She pointed at the pass. And now
you want to know why we're going into
that country. You're thinking there's
just some whim or rattle-brained idea
behind our trip, aren't you?"
"On the contrary, I told Paul that
you must have some pretty substan-
tial motive"
I'm glad you have that much con-
| fidence in us, after finding out how
we lied" She picked lichen curl anc
unrolled it in her small brown fingers
1T is substantial reason, Curt"
'I don't question that. But I dc
question your secrecy about the whole
thing when the trip is so dangerous. Il
might be able to give you hand"
Sonya shook her head. II don't be-
lieve you would. In fact, know you
wouldn't"
Are you afraid I'd go barging into
your plans like bull in china shop
| I wouldn't"
She still shook her head in refusal
| I'd like to tell you. But I simply can't
! It's in the very nature Of my motiv.
that I must keep it to myself"
Il can't conceive of any such cir
cumstance."
Then you'll have to take my wore
for it, Curt"
He felt provoked at her. It was pos.
sible that she or Ralph had heard soms
wild tale about rich lode or placer
in the Lilluars or that she wanted tt
make a study Of the Klosohees them.
| of these guesses.
There's something else-still less o.
my business, suppose; but Sonya, why
do you pretend this relationship tt
Ralph?"
That caught her with surprise. 4
color few into her cheeks.
"Pretend-relationship-what do vol
mean?"
Curt was certain of his ground. HI
plunged boldly:
Ralph Is no more your brother thar
I am, girl. He's no relation to you q
ALL"
"why-why, how can you make Al
assertion like that?"
He lied: Paul overheard you once
He didn't mean to listen, but b
couldn't help it."
How much else did Paul hear?" Hel
tones were quick, frightened. 'Wher
was this?"
1.-TWO evenings ago. He didn't heal
anything else"
Sonya breathed easier. Curt realized
too late, that he had made mistake
There was something else, and she wa!
| for t,{x,, 20 Lrox, Tf he I, a.