"Blessed saints, I believe that it is!" said Jean frankly. "I hate
foreigners--and Melisse belongs to Jan."
"She did, once, but that was a long time ago, Jean."
"It may be, and yet I doubt it, ma bien aimee. If Jan would tell her--"
"A woman will not wait always," interrupted Iowaka softly. "Jan
Thoreau has waited too long!"
A week later, as they stood together in front of their door, they saw
Dixon and Melisse walking slowly in the edge of the forest. The woman
laughed into Jean's face.
"Did I not say that Jan had waited too long?"
Jean's face was black with disapprobation.
"Then you would have taken up with some foreigner if I had remained in
the Athabasca country another year or two?" he demanded questioningly.
"Very likely," retorted Iowaka mischievously, running into the cabin.
"The devil!" said Jean sourly, stalking in the direction of the store.
He was angered at the coolness with which Jan accepted the situation.
"This Dixon is with Melisse afternoon and evening, and they walk
together every day in the bush," he said to him. "Soon there will be a
wedding at Lac Bain!"
"Melisse deserves a good man," replied Jan, unmoved. "I like Dixon."
Deep down in his soul he knew that each day was bringing the end of it
all much nearer for him.
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