"
"You wouldn't run as fast for me now, would you?"
He looked at her boldly, and saw that there was not half of the
brilliant flush in her cheeks.
"I ran for you, just now--and you didn't like it," he replied.
"I don't mean that." She looked up at him, and her fingers tightened
round his own. "Away back--years and years and years ago, Jan--you
went out to fight the plague, and nearly died in it, for me. Would you
do that much again?"
"I would do more, Melisse."
She looked at him doubtfully, her eyes searching him as if in quest of
something in his face which she scarce believed in his words. Slowly
he rose to his feet, lifting her with him; and when he had done this
he took her face between his two hands and looked straight into her
eyes.
"Some day I will do a great deal more for you than that, Melisse, and
then--"
"What?" she questioned, as he hesitated.
"Then you will know whether I love you as much now as I did years and
years and years ago," he finished, gently repeating her words.
There was something in his voice that held Melisse silent as he turned
to straighten out the dogs; but when he came back, making her
comfortable on the sledge, she whispered:
"I wish you would do it SOON, Brother Jan!"
CHAPTER XIX
THE NEW AGENT AND HIS SON
They did not lunch on the trail, but drove into the post in time for
dinner.
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