"You see I am going
out among the foxes."
"The devils!" snapped Jean.
"No, the foxes, my dear Jean. I am tired of the post. I can make
better wage for my time in the swamps to the west. Think of it, Jean!
It has been many years since you have trapped there, and the foxes
must be eating up the country!"
Jean's thin lips were almost snarling. "Blessed saints, and it was I
who--"
He spun upon his heels without another word, and went straight to
Melisse.
"Jan Thoreau is going to leave the post," he announced fiercely,
throwing out his chest and glaring at her accusingly.
"So father has told me," said Melisse.
Her cheeks were colorless, and there were purplish lines under her
eyes, but she spoke with exceeding calmness.
"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed Jean, whirling again, "you take it coolly!"
A little later Melisse saw Jan coming from the store. When he entered
the cabin his dark face betrayed the strain under which he was
laboring, but his voice was unnaturally calm.
"I have come to say good-by, Melisse," he said. "I am going to
prospect for a good trap-line among the Barrens."
"I hope you will have good luck, Jan."
In her voice, too, was a firmness almost metallic.
For the first time in his life Jan held out his hand to her.
Pages:
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187