The Honor
PROLOGUE.
Up in the "Big Snows," near
the dome of the earth, lies the
scene of this story of real men
and real women, who have all of
the virtues of their hardening en
vironment and few of the failings
of their more civilized relatives.
This is a tale for reading when
one is tired of the artificialities
of civilization or at any other
time when a good story is appre
ciated. You will find in it ro
mance and adventure and mystery
mixed in such skillful manner and
in such proportion that no ingre
dient interferes with another. Yet
alt go to make fine reading for
women who like to hear of brave
deed and sacrifice for love's
sake and for men with even a
drop of the spirit of adventure
in their veins. And one thing
morethe author has livedamong
the people . whose lives he de
scribes, and he knows how to tell
a story.
CHAPTER IX.
Th Ntw Agent and Hit Son.
JAN thrust a band Inside his coat
and clutched at the papers that
Jean de Gravols bad read. Then
he drew them forth slowly and
held them crumpled In his fingers,
while for many minutes he stared
straight out Into the gray gloom of the
" 1;ss plain.
His e.W-. eitel. They went from
rock to rock and tree to tree un
til at last they rested tion u giant
spruce which hung out over the pre
cipitous wall of the ridge, its thick top
beckoning and sighing to the black
rocks that shot up out of the snow 500
feet below. Mukce had told Jan its
.story. In the first autumn of the wo-
He Thrust In the Papers, Crowded
Them Down and Filled the Hole With
Chunks of Bark.
man's life ut Lao Bain he and Per-ee
had climbed thi old spruce, lopping off
its branches until only the black cap
remained, and after that It was known
far and wide as the "lobstlck" of Cum
mins' wife. It was a voiceless ceno
taph which signified that all the honor
and love known to the wilderness peo
ple had been given to her.
To it went Jan. the papers still held
In his hand. He had seen a pair of
whisky jacks storing food in the butt
of the tree two or three summers be
fore, mid now bis lingers groped for
the hole. When he found It ho thrust
In the papers, crowded them down
and filled the hole with chunks of bnrk.
"Always my sister, and never any
thing more to, Jan Thorenu," he said
gently in French as if he were speak
ing to a spirit In the old tree. "That
Is the honor of these snows; it is what
the great Ood means us to be. I swear
that Jan Thorenu w ill never 1o wrong
to the little Melisse!" With a face
white and set In its determination he (
turned slowly away from the tree.
When ho came into the cabin for
breakfast next morning Jan's face
ihowed signs of the struggle through
which he had gone. Cummins had al
ready finished, and he found Mellsse
alone. Her hair was brushed back in j
It old, smooth way, nnd when she
heard him she Hung her long braid
over her shoulder, so that it fell down
In front of her. He saw the move
ment, and smiled his thanks without
(ipeaklng.
"Yon don't look well. Jan." she snld
anxiously. "You are pale, and your
eyes are bloodshot."
"I am not feeling right." he admit
ted, trying to appear cheerful, "hut this
coffee will make a new mnn of me.
You make the best coffee In the world.
Melisse."
"What are you going to do today,
Brother Jan?" shojiskejL,
o
-eof the
Copurlaht 1911. bu the Bobbs
Merrill Co.
Tffrw'dut on" the- Churchill trail.
Ledoq wants supplies, and he's too
busy with his trap lines to code In."
"Will von talcs me?"
"I'm afraid not, Mellsse. It' a
twelve mile run and a heavy load."
"Very well. I'll get ready imme
diately." She jumped up from the table, dart
ing fuu at him with her eyes, and ran
to her room.
"It's too far, Melisse,'' he called aft
er her. "It's too far, and I've a heavy
lond"-
"Didn't I take that twenty mile run
with you over to- Oh, dear! Jan,
have you seen my new lynx skin cap?"
"It's out here, hanging on the wall,"
replied Jan, falling into her humor de
spite himself. "But I say. Melisse"
"Are the dogs ready?" she called.
"If they're not I'll be dressed before
you can harness them. Jan."
"They'll be here within fifteen min
utes." he replied, surrendering to her.
Her merry face, laughing triumph at
him through the partly open door, de
stroyed the last vestige of his opposi
tion, and he left her with something
of his old cheerlness of manner, whis
tling a gay forest tune as he hurried
toward the store.
When lie returned with the team Me
lisse was waiting for hlni. a gray thing
of silvery lynx fur. with her cheeks,
lips and eyes aglow, her trim little feet
clad in soft caribou boots that mine
to her knees, and with a bunch of the
brilliant bakneesh fastened jauntily In
her cap.
"I've made room for you." he said
In greeting, pointing to the sledge.
"Which I'm not going to fill for live
miles at leasr." declared Melisse.
"Isn't It a glorious morning. Jan? I
feel ns If I can run from here to
Ledoq '!"
With a crack of his whip and a
shout, Jau swung the dogs across tlif
open, with Melisse running lightly at
his side. From their cabin Jean ami
Iownka called out shrill adieus.
"The day is not far off when thev
J two will be as you and l. my Iowaka."
Kniil Jcxiti In l o H.A...1.. ..... ,.i
"- I'l'i in: v ire. i waer
you that it will be before her next
birthday!"
And Melisse was saying:
"I wonder if there are many people
as happy as Jean and Iowaka!"
She caught her breath, and Jan crack
ed on the dogs in a spurt that left her
panting, n full dozen rods behind him.
With a wild halloo he stopped the
team and waited.
"That's unfair, Jan! You'll have to
put mo on the sledge."
He tucked her in among the furs,
and the dogs strained at their traces,
with Jan's whip curling and snapping
over their backs, until they were leap
ing swiftly and with nnl.rok
or motion over the smooth trail. Then
Jan gathered in his whip and ran close
to the leader, his nioccasined feet tak
ing the short, quick. light steps of the
trained forest runner, his chest thrown
a little out, his eyes upon the twist
ing trail ahead.
Mile after mile slipped behind, and
not until they reached the mountain
on which he had fought the mission
ary did Jan bring his dogs to a wnlk.
Melisse jumped from the sledge and
ran quickly to his side.
J "I can beat you to the top now!"
jshe cried, "if you catch me"- There
i was the old witching challenge In her
j eyes.
She sped up the side of the ridge.
Panting nnd breathless. Jan pursued
with the dogs. Her advantage was
ioo great ror in in to overcome this
time, and she stood laughing down at
him when he came to. the top of the
ridge.
"You're ns pretty as a fairy. Me
llsse!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining
with admiration. "Prettier than the
! fairy In the book!"
! "Thnnk you. brother mine! I be
j lleve you do still love me a little."
j "More than ever In my life," replied
dan quickly, though be tried to bold
his tongue.
As they went on to Lodoq'g he found
that the joyousness of the jmonilntr
piSsSPSI T
I mm v
! PC? 1Z !
o
Big Snows
Arftar IF 6STte
was glv Trig way 'again to thToId gloom
and heartache. "Brother Jan. Rrother
Jan. Brother Jan!" The words pound
ed themselves Incessantly In his brain
until they seemed to keep time with
his steps liesldo the sledge.
Ledoq was stripping the hair fat
from a fox skin when the team pulled
up In front of his cabin. When he
saw the daughter of the factor at I.ac
Bain with Jan he jumped briskly to
his feet, flung bis cap through the door
of the shack and began bowing and
scraping to her with all his might.
Mellsse laughed merrily as Ledoq
continued to bow before her. rattling
away in a delighted torrent of French.
"Ah, thes ees wan gr-r-reat complee
raan. M'selle Mellsse,' he snld. Then
he turned to Jan. "Did you meet the
strange team?"
"We met no team."
Ledoq looked puzzled. Half a mile
away the top of a snow covered ridge
was visible from the cabin. He point
ed to It.
"An hour ago " saw it going west
ward along the mountain three men
nd six dogs. Whom have you out
from Lac Bain?"
"No one." replied Jan. "It must have
been the new agent from Churchill.
We expect him early this winter. Shall
" ! we hurrv back. Mellsse. and see If be
has brought our books and violin
strings?"
"You must have dinner with me."
objected Ledoq.
Jan caught a quick signal from Me
llsse. "Not today, IiCdoq. It's enrly and
we have a lunch for the trail. What
do you say. Melisse?"
"If you're not tired, Jan."
"Tired!"
He tossed the Inst package from the
sledge and cracked his long whip over
the dogs' backs as they both cried out
their farewell to the little Frenchman.
"Tired!" he repeated, running close
beside her n .he team swung lightly
back lnt) th wail and laughing down
Into her face. "How could I ever get
tired with you watching me run Me
lisse?" "I wouldn't mind if you dld-just a
little, Jau. Isn't there room for two?"
She gave a coquettish little shrug of
her shoulders, and Jan leaped upon the
moving sledge, kneeling close behind
her.
"Always, always, I have to ask you!"
she pouted. "You needn't get too near,
you know, if you don't want to!"
The old, sweet challenge in her voice
was irresistible, and for a moment Jan
felt himself surrendering to It. He
leaned forward until his chin was
buried In the silken lynx fur of her
coat, and for a single breath he felt
the soft touch of her cheek against his
own. Then lie. gave a sudden shout to
the dogs-so loud that it startled her
and his whip writhed nnd snapped
twenty foot above their heads like a
tiling tilled with life.
lie sprang from the Wedge and again
ran with the team, urging them u
faster ami faster until they dropped
into a panting walk when they came
to the ridge along which Lcd two
hours before had seen the strangers
hurrying toward I.'ie Italn.
They did not lunch on the trail, but
drove Into the post in time for d'u r
Joan de (iravois and Croisset came
forth from the store to meet them.
ion have company, my dear." cried
i .lean
to Melisse "two tenth-men
fresh from London on the last boat
and one of them younger and hand
somer than your own Jan Thorenu.
They are waiting for you In the cabin.
where your father Is getting them din
ner and telling them how beautifully
you would have made the coffee If you
were there."
"Two!" said Jan ns Melisse left them.
"Who are they?"
"The new agent, M. Timothy Dix
on, ns red as the plague, and fatter
than a spawning fish. And his son.
who has come along for fun, he says;
and I believe he will get what he's
after if he remains here very long, Jan
Thorenu, for he looked a little too boldly
at my Iowakn when she came into the
store Just now."
"Can you blame him, Jean? I tell
you that I look at Iowaka whenever I
get the chance."
"Is she not worth it?" cried Jean in
rapture. "You are welcome to every
look that you can get, Jan Thoreuu.
But the forelgner-I will skin him alive
and spit him with the devil thorn If
he so much ns peeps at her out of the
wrong way of his eye."
Croisset shrugged . his shoulders.
"There are two of the foreigners nt
Nelson House, and two on the Whol
dala, and one"
An hour later Jan went slowly across
the open to Cummins' cabin. As ho
paused for an instant at the door ho
heard a laugh that was strange to him,
and when he opened It to enter he
stood perplexed nnd undecided. Me
llsse had risen from the table nt the
sound of his approach, and his eyes
quickly passed from her Hushed face
to the young man who was sitting op
posite her. He caught a nervous trem
ble In her voice when she said:
"Mr. Dixon, this Is my brother, Jan."
The stranger jumped to his feet nnd
held out a hand.
"I'm glad to know you. Cummins."
"Thorenu." corrected Jan quietly, as
he took the extended band. "Jan Tim.
reau."
"Oh. 1 tHg your pardon. I thought"
He turned luquirlngly to Melisse. The
flush deepened In her cheeks as she be
gan to gather up the dishes.
"We are of no relation." continued
.Ian. something Impelling him to speak
' "
"Mr. Dixon, this is my brother, Jan."
the words with cool precision. "Only
we have lived under the same roof
since she wns a baby, and so we have
come to be like brother nnd sister."
"Miss Mellsse has been telllug me
about your run this morning," ex
claimed the young Englishman, his
face reddening slightly as he detected
the girl's cinbnrrassment. "I wish I
bad seen It."
"There Will bo 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 tomorrow."
"Thanks." said Pluon. moving to
ward the door.
Melisse did not lift her head ns be
ent oul. Faintly she snld:
"I've kept your diuuer for you, Jan.
Why didn't you come sooner?"
"I had dinner with Gravols," he re
plied. "Jean said that you would
hardly be prepared for five, Mellsse, bo
I accepted his Invitation."
He took down from the wall a fur
sledge coat, In which Mellsse had
mended a rent a day or two before,
and, throwing it over his arm, turned
to leave.
"Jan!"
He faced hef clowly, knowing that
in spite of himself there was a strange
ness in his maimer which she would
not tiliderstriid.
"Why are yen going away the day
after tomorrow-two weeks before the
others? You didn't tell me."
"I'm going a hundred miles into the
south." he answered.
"(Her tin Nelxin House trail?"
"Yes."
"Oh:" Her lips curled slightly as she
looked at him. Then she laughed, and
a bright spot leaped Into either cheek.
"I understand, brother," she said soft
ly. "Pardon me for questioning you
so. I had forgotten that the MncVcigh
plrl lives on the Nelson trail. Iowaka
says that she Is as sweet as a wild (low
er. I wish you would have her come
up and visit in some time, Jan."
Jan's face went red. then white, but,
Mellsse saw only the first effect of her
random shot and was briskly gathering
up the dishes.
"I turn off Into the Cieo lake country
before I reach MacVelgh's." he was on
the point of saying, but the words hung
upon his lips, and he remained silent.
A few minutes later he was talking
with Jean de iravois. The little
Frenchman's face was ominously dark,
nnd he puffed furiously upon his pipe
when Jan told him why he was leaving
at once for the south.
"Running away!" he repeated for the
tenth time In French, his thin lips curl
J Ing In n sneer. "I am sorry that 1 gave
you my oath, Jan Thorenu, else I would
go myself and tell Melisse what I read
in tlie papers. Pish! Why can't vou
forget?"
"I may some day." said Jan. "That
Is why I am going Into the south two
weeks enrly. and I shall be gone until
after the big roast. If 1 remain here
another week. I shall fell Mellsse, and
then"-
He shrugged his shoulders despair
ingly. "And then what."
"I should go nway forever."
Jean snnpiwd his fingers with a low
laugh. "Then remain another week, Jan
Thorenu, and If it turns out ns you
say I swear I will abandon my two
lowakas and little Jean to the wolves!"
"I am going the day after tomor
row." The next morning Iowaka complained
to Mellsse that (Snivels wns as surly
on a bear.
(To He Continued.)
Farm for Sale.
135-aere rami, four miles from
town, between 50 and CO acres
under plow, 7 acres hay land, bal
ance pasture. Running water.
Seven-room house and oilier im
provements. Itifpn'ro at Ihe office of Rawls
.1 ftoberlson. 10-10-lf-wkly
Local News
Fred Holder of Weeping Water
was in the cily Unlay looking after
.some matters of business.
Fred Patterson and wife were
in the metropolis yesterday to at
tend to some matters of business.
C. K. Cook, from southwest of
the cily, was in town today doing
some trading with the merchants.
Philip Heckor, from Kight Mile
(irove precinct, was in the city
today looking after business mat
ters. Adolpli Wcseh departed this
afternoon for Croighlon, Neb,,
to isil with his son, Adolpli, jr.,
for a I ime.
John Heck of Ml. Pleasant pre
cinct drove in lliis morning from
his farm In attend to some busi
ness mailers.
C. F.. Tctrt. Hie Weeping Water
allorney, was in Hie city yesterday
looking nfler business mailers at,
the court house.
J. M. Wiles was a passenger
this morning on No. 0 for Clar
inda, Iowa, where he will look af
ter business matters.
H. H. Nickels, one of (lie sub
stantial farmers from near Mur
ray, was in the city today attend
ing to business mailers.
Mrs. Luke Wiles and Miss
Ursula Hiiner were passengers
this morning on No. 15 for the
metropolis, where they .spent Iho
day attending to business innt
lers. Martin Nelson was a enmity
seat visitor yesterday and attend
ed to some business matters.
While here ho called at this olllce
and had his name enrolled on the
r'onii-Woekly Journal list,
H. L. Propst wns a passenger
tin's afternoon for Omaha, where
lie will meet his daughter, Mrs.
Maude Test and two children, of
Mitchell, S. I)., who nro coming to
spend Thanksgiving at the, old
home.
Oscar Ciapen and wife were pas
sengors this afternoon for Omaha,
... r s-i
ll,:npaI.,g ,r. J.- jj J)rfl,.
ei Sam unpen, that far on hi
way to his home at Maiiderann,
Wyoming. He had been visiting
with his molher near Murray for
a short lime.
From Wednesday's bully.
W. II. Seyberl, from (luiionl,
w as in I he cily loday looking af
ter some business matters.
Mrs. 11. Dasher
departed yesterday afternoon for
Cedar Creek to visit ror a lime.
W. 0. Meisinger of near Cedar
(.reek was in I he cily yesl onlay
looking after some business mai
lers. William llice, wife and daugh
ler, Fslhor, of Murray, were in
Ihe city loday attending In some
shopping.
Mrs. YV. A. Fight and little
daughter, Fern, were passengers
this morning I'm- Omaha, where
they visited for the day.
Charles Cherry, one of the good
citizens or Weeping Water, was
in II"' eily today attending to
smiie mailers or business.
" . . .uonre oi Aiiliiirn came
in last evening to spend Thanks
giving with his mother ami broth
er ami sisters in I his cily.
Matthew llerold came down
fi'om Lincoln Ibis ufloriionn to
spend Hie Thanksgiving vacation
with his parents in this city.
Wilher Hall and little son. of
Hrtish, Cidorado, came in this
' "ning lo visit, over Thanksgiv
ing with relatives and friends.
Win: i . i i.
" on. mi ieiesiiei'tiier, Hie em
inent Klnnvood allornev, was in
the cily yesterday afternoon look
nig alter business at the court
house.
A. M. Holmes nl Mnrrav is in
the city today visiting with rela
f ives, having come up last even
ing to attend Ihe Presbvlerian
dinner.
Dr. (i. II. Uilmore and wife and
MrA, J. A. Walker and Miss
MaVgie Walker motored up from
Murray today lo look after some
business matters.
D. A. Young, from south of Ihe
cily, accompanied by K. O. Lyman,
were passengers Ibis morning for
Omaha lo look after some mailers
of business for Ihe day.
II. M. Wilcox and wife and son,
K. C. Wilcox, departed Ibis morn
ing for Hivorloii, Xeb., where they
will attend the runeral ( Mr.
Wilcox's brnl her, Fdward Wilcox,
which is to be held al thai place
tomorrow morning.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fetzer ot
Ihe vicinity oT Louisville were
visitors in this city yesterday, be
ing guests oT Mr. Felzcr's brother,
.loseph Fetzer and Tamily. While
here Mr. Fetzer called at this ollice
and renewed his subseripl ion lo
t his paper.
"THE dl ON THE BOX"
NEXT MONDAY EVENING
The Detroit Free Press, in a
recent issue, says: "The Man on
the llox" was seen Saturday night
at the Lyceum theater by a good
sized audience and was well received-.
It is tilled with funny
scenes that keep the interest of
the audience at a high pitch, be
sides provoking laughter through
out. The play is one which de
served a packed house, Iho audi
ence present, however, showing
Iheir appreciation of the lines by
repealed applause and laughter.
Mr. Hoyd H. Trousdale ami Miss
Hernkv Trousdale in the leading
roles created very favorable com
ment; the other members of Iho
company were very clever and
interpreted (ho lines as the author
evidently intended. On Iho whole
it was a very good show."
The above attraction will lie
seen at the l'armele theater on
Monday night. December 2.
MATTERS IN THE DISTRICT
COURT OF CUSS COUNTY
Judge Travis today gave a ilo
creo in the case of the Livingston
I.onn and Huilding association vs. .
Silas Hreckenridge ami wife, giv
ing the plaintiff judgment for a
note that was secured hy a mortg
age on the property of tho do,
defendants, together with interest,
taxes and improvements made, by
tho plaintiff on the property. Un
less the defendants redeem the
property within twenty days it will
he sold hy the sheriff to satisfy
Iho judgment.
John McGeo, who pleaded guilty
to Ihe charge of wifo desertion a
few days ago, was paroled yes
terday in I ho district, court by
Judge Travis on the condition'
that he support his wife and child
mill remain in Ihe jurisdiction of
iie court ft'ul muko report to tho
court at certain times.
The attorneys jn the injunc- "
lion f-nsp t Perry vs. the City of
Plaltsrnoutli llrilshed their argu
ments this morning ami Ihe mat
ter was taken under advisement
by the court.
Mrs. Addie J. Stokes was grant
ed a divorre yesterday from
Thomas U. Stokes in (he district
court.
JU06E TAYLOR HANDS 001
DECISION IN MILLER CASE
County Allorney Talor, who
presided as county judge in the
Mary Miller will ease, has handed
down his decision in Ihe ease. He
denies Ihe probate of the will pre
sented and admits the revocation
thiil was also presented j,, ,
court at the same lime. The will
Hint was presented gave the prop
erly to Ihe sister of Mrs. Miller,
while (he revocation disposed of
I lie properly different ly. Tho
value of Die properly involved is
about .in,()(l(l, and
likely Ihe mailer will
a higher court.
it
be
is quite
taken to
Feeling Much Improved.
I.. If. Young of Xehawka, who
has been in SI. Joseph's hospital
in Omaha taking Irealmenl for an
injured limb, came down this aft
ernoon and drove out to his home
to spend Thanksgiving. Mr.
Young is feeling much improved
and hopes to be as well as ever in
a short lime. He has been
troubled with his leg for some
years and the operation he has
just passed through seems to have
brought him great relief.
Box Supper and Corn Show.
At the Hurk school house, Sat
urday, November 30 h, nt 8 p. m.
Prizes as follows:
For the best .'I ears of corn. .$1.50
Second best 3 ears of corn . . 1.00
Third best 3 ears of corn. . . .50
Corn to be sold to pay for
premiums.
Returns From California.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Wurl returned
this evening on No. 2 from their
trip to the Paoillo coast, where
they visited (heir son, Ernest
Wurl. and were present al the
wedding lasl Saturday. Mr. and
Mrs. Wurl greatly enjoyed their
visil and are fcclimr in n-noil
health.
BIG BARGAINS IN
USED MOTORCYCLES
We have 3 used motorcycles, In
good running order, for sale cheap
it sold at once.
H. Steinhauer & Son,
Plattsmouth, Neb.
1
I