The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-10-09
North To Danger

hand. The VOLTS body tensed. Head
averted, eyes smoldering, the ami
NAL was gathering for one of those
| lightning lunges that can rip a
mans flesh to the bone; but Collins
quiet monotone went on, and gently
his hand touched the VOLTS head.
A growl began to rise in the beasts
throat, then died away to silence.
And now a curious thing happened.
The eyes that had never left
Rae's face slowly relaxed, the bris-
Ting fur fattened, and a moment
later the great head reached for
ward until very lightly it rested on
Collins knee.
Behind him, Colin heard Tenant
draw a deep breath. and the almost
whispered words, "Well, I'll be-"
Hand still on the VOLTS head, Col
in looked up. Haven't broken their
spirits, have you, Mater" he asked,
smiling.
"You know COMPOUNDED we'll I
haven't. You've always had a way
with wild things"
Rising, Colin looked at the I'M
finished toboggan lying by the
cabin door. $50 you're trapping
again this winter?"
Nate nodded. This year more
than ever. There's a war on with
the Indian school, and I'm out after
pelts in a big way. Dove got the
notion he can tell my trappers
where to head in; gave me notice
that this was a Cree country, and
he intends to see that the Crees get
the furs. Practically dared me to
hire any more white trappers.
Nate laughed. "Well, I'm taking
that dare in a big way: I'm bring
ing in thirty more trappers on the
next boat"
Collins eyes were grave. And
when you clean out this country be-
tween your" he asked.
"Why look that far ahead? May
be I'll move somewhere else; maybe
I'll start a fur farm. In the mean
time, I'm going to get mine while
the getting is good. Blame me?"
"Why should / blame you?
blame the shortsighted system that
allows it. Just because you and
Dove want to step up the fur game,
four thousand Cree Indians may
find themselves on the relief rolls,
and Learmonth will be q ghost
town."
Nate shrugged his heavy Shout
ders. "If it isn't me, it would DO
someone else"
81 know"
So for half an hour longer they
talked; then, walking back to the
dock, Nate lifted Blair into the
plane.
when do see the bride to-be!"
Nate asked.
"Come over to the school Wednes-
day." Blair answered. "Dove is
having a dinner for Selkirk and
Miss Meredith after the last boat
gets in"
Nate grimaeed. 81 don't know
whether I can stand Rod Selkirk's
Olympian wisdom for whole meal,
but, IL the lady's easy to look at,
I'll try" In a gesture Of sponta-
neous friendliness, he clapped Colin
on the shoulder. "It's good to see
you again, old SON." He closed the
door on them, and Blair started the
motor.
Busy with the controls, Blair said
nothing during the short hop back
TO Trappers Lake; but, as she TAXED
in toward Collins cabin. she asked,
Aren't you glad?"
"Of what"
"That you're fri.nos again"
IL hope it lasts. But don't forget
he only did that because Of you.
Ever since we were kids, Nate and
| have been oil and water-msybe
because Of you. He's very much In
love with you, Blair"
"That surprises your
~Dont be foolish. Haven't I al
ways been in love with you my
self"
She laughed. "And haven't you
always been careful to hide behind
that little sister act?"
Collins eyes were on her face. II
wonder what would happen IL any
one crossed Nate in lover"
Ito be continued)
COR ~ ~ ON GIL:
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