He caught a nervous tremble in her voice when
she said:
"Mr. Dixon, this is my brother, Jan."
The stranger jumped to his feet and held out a hand.
"I'm glad to know you, Cummins."
"Thoreau," corrected Jan quietly, as he took the extended hand. "Jan
Thoreau."
"Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought--" He turned inquiringly to Melisse.
The flush deepened in her cheeks as she began to gather up the dishes.
"We are of no relation," continued Jan, something impelling him to
speak the words with cool precision. "Only we have lived under the
same roof since she was a baby, and so we have come to be like brother
and sister."
"Miss Melisse has been telling me about your wonderful run this
morning," exclaimed the young Englishman, his face reddening slightly
as he detected the girl's embarrassment. "I wish I had seen it!"
"There will be plenty of it very soon," replied Jan, caught by the
frankness of the other's manner. "Our runners will be going out among
the trappers within a fortnight."
"And will they take me?"
"You may go with me, if you can run. I leave the day after to-morrow."
"Thanks," said Dixon, moving toward the door.
Melisse did not lift her head as he went out. Faintly she said:
"I've kept your dinner for you, Jan. Why didn't you come sooner?"
"I had dinner with Gravois," he replied.
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