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The Seaforth News, 1938-06-02, Page 6AGE SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1938 e`No," e 'hastene'd to explain, "1 trived severer punishment 'for the un - don't know how to play the sisterly fortunate effect of my words. Fool, touch-and-go at all, but the men tell that I was! I should keep myself in nee it doesn't work -'dead failure, al- ways ends the same. Sieter proposes, or 'is proposed to—" "Ohl" cried the Little Statue with the faintest nate 'of alarm, and she moved back from see on the boxes. "I think we'd 'better play .at 'being very matter-of-faot friends for the rest of the trip." '"'No, '!rank you, Miss Sutherland— Frances, I mean," said I. "]'m not the fool to pretend that—" "Then pretend anything you like," and there was a sudden coldness in her voice, which showed me she re- garded any refusal and the slip in her name as a rebuff. "Pretend anything you like, only don't say things.' That was a throwing •down of ar- mor which I had not -expected. "Then pretend that e pilgrim was lost in the dark, lost :.where men's souls slip down steep places to hell, and that one as radiant as an angel from heaven shone through the black- ness and guided 'him 'back to safe ground,":1 cried, 'taking quick advan- tage of my fair 'antagonist's sudden abandon and casting aside all banter. "Children1 children!" cried the priest. "Children! Sun's down! Time to go to your trundles, my 'ba'bes!" "Yes, yes," I shouted. "Wait till 1' hear the rest of this story." ,At eny words she started up with a little gasp of -fright. A look of awe came into her gray eyes, which 1 have seen on the faces of those who find themselves for the first time (beside the abyss of a preoipece. And 1 have climbed many lofty peaks, 'bet never one 'without passing these :places with the fearful possibilities of destruction. Always the novice hes looked with the same unspeakable fear into the yawning depths, with the same un- speakable yearning towards the jew- el -crowned heights 'beyond. This, or something of this, was in the startled attitude of the trembling •figure, whose eyes met mine without flinch- ing or eavor. "10r pretend that a traveler had lost his.compass, and though he was with- out merit, God gave him a star." "Is it a pretty 'story. Rufus?" call- ed the priest. "Very," I 'cried tet impatiently. "Don't interrupt." "Or pretend that a poor fool with no merit but his love cf purity and truth and' honor 'last his way .tc para- dise, and God gave him an angel for a guide." "Is it a long story, Reius?" called the priest. "It's to be continued,' I shouted, leaping to my feet and approaching her. "And pretend that elle pilgrim and the traveler and 'the fool, asked no other privilege but to give each his heart's love, his life's devotion, to her who had tome between him .and the darkness----" "Rufus!" roared the priest. '"1 de- clare I'll take a stick to you. 'Creme away! D'y' :hear? She's tired." "'Good -night,' she ,answered, in a 'hrdken 'whisper, so •cold ii stabbed me like steel; and she put out 'herhand in the mechanicall xray of the well- bred woman in every land. "Is that all?" I asked, holding the Mand as if it had been a -galvanic bat- tery, though ,the priest was coming straight towards us. "All?" s'he returned, the lashes fall- ing over the misty, gray eyes. "9A'h, Rufus! Are we Playing jest is earnest, or earnest is 'jest?" and she turned quickly and went to her tent. How long I stood in reverie, I do not know. The priest's 'broad hand presently came down on my shoulder with a savage thud. "Ye 'betender-ib anticus, ye, what leave ye been doing?" he asked. "The Little Stabue was 'crying 'when she went to her tent," "Crying?" ' "Yes, ye idiot. Iii? stay by her to- morrow." of washed air when .a 'stone has obex ed away turbulence. Why did s'he evade me and turn altogether to the priest ether right? I3ad I'been of an analytioal turn 'of mind, I. anight, pee - haps, 'ha've made a very carefull study of an emotion commonly -celled jeal- ousy; 'but, when 1 ' on'e''s 'heart beats East, one's thoughts throng too •swift- ly for introspection. Was 1 a past of the new 'happiness? I 'did not under- stand .human nature then as I under - steed it now, else would 1' leave known that fair eyes turas away to hide what they dare not reveal. I prided myseifithet I was now well in hand. I should take the first oppor- tunity to undo my folly .of the night before. * I•t was •after supper. Father Holland had 'gone to his tent. Franees Suther- land was arranging a (hunch of flowers' in her lap; and I took my peace. dir- ectly, 'behind irectly,'behind her lest my face shoypd .tell -truth while my tongue uttered hes. "Speaking of stars, you know Miss Sutherland," I began, remembering that I had said something about sbars that must be unsaid. "Don't 'call me Miss Sutherland, :Rufus," she said, and that 'gentle an- swer •knocked eny grand resolution. clean to the four winds. "I beg your pardon, Frances--" Chaos and 1 were one. Whatever was it 1 was ea say about stars? "Well?" There was a waiting in 'the voice. "Yes—you lenow—Frances." 1 tried to call up something coherent; but somehow -the thumping of my heart set up a rattling in my head. `iNo—Rufus. As a matter of ,fact, I don't 'know. You were going to tell me something." "•Bother my stupidity, Miss—Miss— Prances, but the mastiff's forgotten what it was going to bow -wow about!" "Not the moon this time," she laughed. "Speaking of stars," and she gave me' back my own words. • "Oh! 'Yes! Speaking of stars! Do you know I think a lot • of the men coming up from Fort William .gat to regarding the star above the leading canoe as their own particular star." 1 'thought that speech a master- piece. It would convince her •she was the star of all the men, not mine par- ticularly. That was erre enough to ap- pease conscience, a 'half-truth like Louis L'aplante's words. So I would rob my 'foolish avowal of its personal element. lA !flush suffused the snowy white below her hair. "Oh! I 'didn't notice any particular star above the leading canoe. There were so very, very many splendid stars, I used to watch them half the night!" That answer threw me as far down as her manner had elated me. "Well! What of the stars?" asked the silvery voice. 1 was dumb. She :flung the 'flowers aside as •though she would leave; but Father Holland suddenly emerged front the tent fanning himself with his hat. "Babes! said he. "You're a pair of fools! Oh! To be young and throw our opportunities helter-skelter like flowers of which were 'tired,' and he looked at the upset lapful. "Children! children! Carpe Diem! Carpe Diem! Pluck the flowers; for the days are swifter titan arrows," and he walked away from us engrossed in his own thoughts, muttering over and over the advice of the Latin poet, "Carpe Diem! 'Carpe Diem!" • "What is Canpe Diem?" asked, Frances Sutherland, 'gazing after the priest in sheer wonder, `'I wasn't strong on classics et Lav- al and I haven't my crib." "Go on!" she commanded, "You're only apologizing for my ignorance. You .know very well." "it means just what he says—as if each day were a flower, you know, had its jays to be plucked, that can never come again." "'Flowers! Oh! I know! The kind you all picked for me coming up front Fort William. And do you know, Ru- fus, I never could thank you all? Were those Carpe Diene 'flowers?" "No—not exactly the 'kind Father Holland means we should pick." ' W'hat then?" and she turned sud- clenly to 'find 'her ,face not a hand's length .from mine. "This kind," I whispered, bending in terrified joy over her shoulder; and I plucked a'blossom straight from her lips and another and yet another, 'till there came into the deep, gray eyes what 'I cannot 'transcribe, but 'what sent •me away the king of all' men -- for had ]; not found my 'Queen? And that was the way I carried out my grand resolution and kept myself in hand. CHAPTER X'II'I I question if Norse heroes of the sea could lbcoast,irnore thrilling adven- ture than the wild 'buffalo 'Inuits of American plain -rangers. A 'cavalca'de of six hundred men,rnoun'ted on met- tlesome horses e ager for the furious dash through a forest of tossing !buf- falo-horns was 'quite as imposing as any clash between warring Vikings. hand henceforth, How many men have made that vow regarding the woman they love? Those that have kept it, 1 trow, could be counted easi- ly enough. Bui I had no ,opportunity to break my vow; for the priest rode •with Frances Sutherland the'whole of the second day, and not once •did he let loose his scorpion wit. She had breakfast alone in her tent next morn- ing, the priest carrying tea and toast to her; and when she came out, she leaped ro her saddle so quickly I lost the expected favor of placing that imperious foot in the stirrup. We set out three abreast, and I had no 'cour- age to read my fate from the cold, marbie face. The ground became rougher. We were forced to follow long detours round sloughs, and 1 gladly fell to the rear where I was un- observed. 'Clumps of willows alone broke the endless dip of the plain. Glassy creeks glittered silver through the green, and ever the trail, like a narrow ribbon of many loops, 'fled be- fore us to the dim sky -line. When we halted for our 'nooni•ng, Franc -es Sutherland had slipped from her saddle and gone 'off picking prairie roses before either the -priest or 1 noticed her absence, "If you go off, you nuisance, you," said the priest rubbing his 'bald pate, and gazing -after her in a puzzled way, when we had the meal ready, "I think she'll come back and eat." I promptly look myself off and had the glum pleasure of hearing her chat in 'high spirits over the dinner table of packing boxes; but she was on her cerise and off with the scouts long before Father Holland and I had mounted. "Rufus, said the priest with a com- ical, quizzical look, as we set -off to- gether. "Rufus. !,think y'r a fool." "I've thought that several hundred thousand tines myself, this morn- ing." "Tush. youngster! Don't take to licking your raw tongue tip and down the cynic's saw edge! Put a spur to your broncho there and ride ahead with her." "Having offended a goddess, I don't wish to be Struck dead by in- viting her wrath.." "Pah! I've no patience with y'r ramrod independence! Bend a stiff neck. or you'll break a sore heart! Ride ahead, I tell you, you young mule!" and he brought a smart flick across my broncho. "Father Holland," I made answer with the dignity of a 'bishop and my nose mighty high in the air, "will you permit me to suggest people know their own affairs best—" "Tush, no! I'll permit you to do nothing •of the kind," said he, driving a fly from his horse's ear. ""Done you know, you young idiot, that between a man surrendering his love, and a woman surrendering hers, there's -dif- ference enough to account for tears? A man gives his and 'gets it back with compound interest in coin that's pure gold 'compared to his copper. A wo- man gives hers and .gets 'backer—" the priest stopped. "What?" 1 asked, interest getting the better of wounded pride. "N,ot much that's worth having from idiots like you," said he; by which the priest proved he could deal honestly 'by a friend, without any mincing palliatives. His- answer set me thinking .for the best part of the afternoon; and I War- rant if any man sets out with the priest's :premises end thinks hard for an afternoon be will come to the same conclusion that 1 did. "Let's both poke along a little fast- er," said I, after long silence. "Olio! With all my heart!" And we caught up with Frances Sutherland and .for the first time that day 3 dared to look at her lace. If there were tear marks about the wondrous eyes, they were the marks •cef the shower after a 'sun -burst, the la'u'ghing gladness of And he slid. Nor could lee have 'con -'life in 'golden light, the joyous calm Squaws, children -and a horde of rag- ged-.fol1ow'ers ,stneggled in Tong lines far.' to the hunters' rear. ;Altogether, the host 'behind the 'flag nunvbered .not less than 'two !thousand 'souls. Like any martial !column, our squad- 'had. captain, color -bearer 'arid chaplain. Luckily, 'all three 'were known to me, es I discovered when I reached Pem- bina. The truce, patched up between 1-1'udson's Bay and Nor' -Welters af- ter 'Governor .M'dD'om'ell's surrender, left .Cuth'b'ert Grant 'fnee to .join the buffalo hunt. Pursuing 'big game acmes the prairie was more Ito his taste then' leading the half-breeds dur- ing peace. The warden of tine plains came hot -foot ,after us, ,and was promptly ,elected 'captain of 'the chase. Rather Holland was with as too. Our course lay directly on his 'way to the Missouri and a dolly chaplain he anade. In 'Grant's company came Pierre, the rhymster, 'bubbling over with jingling minstrelsy, that was the delight of every 'half-breed tamp on the plains. Bareheaded, with a red handkerchief 'banding back his lank hair, and clad in -fringed 'buckskin from the ,bright n'eckeeloth 'to the 'bead'ed moccasins, he was as wild a figure as any one of the 'savage rab- ble. Yet this was. the 'poet of the plain -rangers, who caught the song of bird, the burr of cataract through the rocks, the throb of stampeding buf- Palo, the moan of the wind across the prairie, and tuned leis rude minstrelsy to wild nature's fu'g'itive .music. Viking heroes, I know, chanted their deeds in songs that have come down to us; but with the exception of the 'Eskimo, descendants of North American races have never been credited with a taste for harmony. .Once I asked !Pierre haw he acquired his art :of verse - making, With a laugh of scorn, 'he de- manded if the wind and the water- falls and the 'birds learned music from 'beardless boys .and draggle - coated donrinies -with armfuls of books. However, it .may have been with his Pegasus, his mount for the hunt was no laggard. He rode a knob - jointed, muscular brute, that carried him like poetic inspiration wherever it pleased. Though Pierre's right hand was busied upholding the 'hunt- ers' flag, land he had but one arm to bow -string •the brotvoho's arching neck, the half-breed poet kept his seat with the easy grace of the plains- man 'born and 'bred in the saddle. "Faith, man, 'tis the fate of genius to ride a fractious steed," said Father Holland, 'when the branches of priest and poet had come into violent col- lision with angry squeals for the third time in ten minutes. 'And what are the capers of this, my 'beast, compared to the antics of fate, sir," asked Pierre with grave dignity. The wind caught his long hair and blew it about his face till he !became an equestrian personification of the frenzied muse. I had 'become ac- quainted with his trick of setting words to the music 'of quaint rhymes; but Father Holland was taken aback. "By the saints," he exclaimed, "I'•'e no mind to run amuck of Pegasus! l'll get out of your way. Faith, 'tie the first -time I've seen poetry in buckskin of this particular binding," and he wheeled his broncho out, leaving me abreast of 'the rhymester. "Have a are, Father," I warned. "You've escaped the broncho; but look out for the poet." "Save us! What's caning now?" gasped the priest. "Ha! I have it!" and Pierre turned triumphantly to Father Holland. . eves sent back to pitch camp on roll- ing land, A cordon sol Tarts with shafts 'turned outward . enoircl'ed the cramping ground. At one ;end the ani- mals were tethered; at the other hunt- er's tents were huddled. together. , All night mongrel curs, tearing about the enclosure in packs, 'kept ,noisy watch, Twice'Geant and I went out to recan- oitre, We saw' onlya'a whitish wolf scurrying through the Jong . 'grass., Grant thought this had disturbed the 'clogs; !but I was not 'so sure. Indeed, felt prepared to trace featuree Of Le Gravid Diable under every ,eek -hide, or wolf -skin in which a cunning Indian could be disguised. I deemed it wise to have a stronger gusted and 'engaged two runners, 'Ringing Thunder and Burnt Earth, giving them horses and ordering them to keep within call during the !thick of the hunt. iA't daybreak all tents were a bee- hive of aotivity. The horses, with al- most human intelligence, were wild. to be off. Riders 'coved scarcely gain saddles, land ,before feet were well in the stirrups, the Ibronohos had reared and 'bolted away, only to be reined sharply in and brought back to :the ranks. The dogs, too, were mad, tear- ing 'after make-believe enemies and worrying oneanother tills there were several curs less for the hunt. Inside the cart circle, men were shouting last orders to women, squaws scolding half -naked urchins, that scampered in the way, and the whole, encampment setting up a din that might have scar- ed any buffalo 'herd into endless flight. Grant gave the word. Pierre hoisted the 'flag, and the temp turmoil was left 'behind, The Bois -Brutes kept well within- the lines and observed good order; but -the Indian rabble lashed their hale -broken horses into 'a fury of excitement, that threatened confusion to all discipline. The camp was strongly guarded. Father Holland remained with the campers, but in spite of his holy calling, I ant sure he longed to be among the hunters. Scouts ahead, we followed the course of a half -dried slough where buffalo tracks were visible. Some two miles ,from 'camp, the out=runners re- turned with word that the herds were browsing a short distance ahead, and that the marsh -bed widened. to a banked ravine. The buffalo could not have been found in a better place; for there was 'a,fine slope 'from the upper land to our game. We at once ascend- ed the embankment and coursed cau- tiously along the cliff's summit, Sud- denly -we rounded an abrupt headland and gained full view of the -buffalo. The !flag was lowered, stopping the march, anti -up rose our captain in his stirrups to survey the herd. A light mist screened us and a deep growth of the leathery grass, common to marsh lands, half hid a multitude of broad, humped, furry backs, moving aimlessly in the valley, Coel-black noses poked through the green stalks sniffing the air suspiciously and the curved horns tossed broken stems off in savage contempt. 'Frons the headland beneath us to tine rolling prairie at the mouth of the valley, the earth' swayed 'with giant forms. The great creatures were rest- less as caged tigers and already on the rove for the day's march, I suppose the vast flocks of wild geese, that used to 'darken -the sky and fill the air with their shrill "hunk, bunk," when I first went to the north, numbered as many living beings in one mass as that herd; but men no more attempt- ed to .count the creatures in flock or herd, than •to estimate the pebbles of a shore, - Protruding ey.es glared savagely sideways. Great, thick necks hulked forward in impatient jerks; and those dagger -pointed horns, sharper than a pruning hook, promised no boy's sport for our company. The buffalo sees best laterally oh the level, and as long as we were quiet we remain- ed undiscovered. At the prospect, some of the hunters egrew excitedly profane. Others were timorous, fear- ing a stampede in our direction. Be- ing above, we could come down on the rear of the 'bu'ffaloes and trey would be driven to the open. Grant sc'ou'ted the counseled cau- tion. The hunters loaded guns, filled their mouths with balls to reload on the :gallop and awaited the captain's order. Wheeling his horse to the fore, the warden gave one quick; signal. With a storm -'burst of galloping hoots, we -'changed drown the 'slope. Ai sound of our whirlwind advance, the bulls tossed up their •heads .and 'began pawing the ground angrily, From the hunters there was no 'shouting till dose en the 'herd, then a wild halloo with unearthly screams cram the In- dians 'broke 'frons our 'company. The buffaloes started 'hip, 'turned ganie- stnioken, and with 'bell'owings that roared ,down the 'valley, tare far the open,prairie. The ravine rooked with the plunging monsters, and re-echoed to the crash of ,six-lvuniired guns an•d a thunderous tread', Firing was at 'cease 'range. In a moment there was a'battle 'soya' 'between dexterous sav- ages, swift as 'tigers, and 'these levi- athans of the prairie 'with their 'brute strength. . (To be continued) "The Lord he praised that poetry's free, Or you'd ' bottle it up like a saint's thumb -bone, That beauty's beauty for eyes that see Without regard to a priestly .gown—" "Hold on," interrupted 'Father Hol- land. "Hold on, •Pierre!" "'Your double-quick Peg Has a limp of one leg!' "Sone' and ''gown' don't fit, Mr. Rbynt seer." ''Upon my 'honor! Y -au turned poet, too, Father Holland!" said 1. "We might be on a pilgrimage to Helicon." "To where?" says Grant, whose knowledge of'lclassics was less than meeowne which was precious little in- deed. "H dicier." At that Father Holland 'burst in such roars of laughter, the mhymster took personal 'offense, drug his mocca- sins ,against the horse's sides and rode ahead. His fringed' leggings were 'braced straight out in the stir- rups as if he ,anticipated his broncho transforming the concave into the convex,—known in the 'vernacular as 'bucking." '"Mad as a hatter,". ,said Grant, in- ferring the joke was on Pierre. "Let him be!' Let him .bel He'll ,get over it! .He's working 'up his rhymes eor the feast after the 'buffalo ihmnt." And we 'afterwerd•s got the (benefit of thos-e rhymes. The tenth dray west from Pem!bind our scouts found same herd'cs foot- prints on soggy grand. At once word PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. E. A. McM'ASTIDR—Graduate of the ,Faculty of Medicine, Univers- ty of Toronto, and of the New York Post Graduate School and' Hospital. Member of the College of Physicians and 'Surgeons' of Ontario. Office on High street. Phone 217. Office 'fully equipped for x-ray diagnosis and for ultra 's'h'ort wave electric treatment, Ara violet sun lamp ;treatment and infra 'red electric treatment. Nurse en attendance. • DIR. 'GI'LBiERT C. 'JIARROTT — Graduate of 'Faculty of 'Medicine, Un- iversity of Western 'Ontario. Member of College of Physicians andSurgeons of Ontario. 'O9fice 43 'Goderich street west. Phone ,317. ,H'auns 2-4.30 pm., 7,30s9 pen. 'O'thee 'hours by appoint- ment. Successor to Dr. Chats. 'Mackay, DR. H. 'HUG'H ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, 'England. Special ' at- tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and 'throat. Office and eesidenee behind Dominion Bank. Oefice Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 1014. DR. F. J. BURROW'S, ISeaforth. Office and residence, ,Goderieh street, east of the United Church. Coroner for the County of Huron. Telephone • No. 46. DR. F. J. R. FF RS'T1EIR—•Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. 'Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto '11897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat 'hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 1.30 pan. to 5 p.m. DR. W. C. SPROAT Physician - Surgeon Phone 90-W. Office John St. Seaforth Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can he made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction- eer for Perth and •Huron Counties. Sates Solicited. Terms on Application, Farm Stock, chattels and real estate prgperty, R. R. No. 4, 'Mitdhell. Phone 634 r 6, Apply at this office, WATSON & REID REAL 'ESTATE AND INSURAINCE AGENCY . (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds orf Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in 'First -Class Companies. THE :.McKILLOP Mutual Fire lusurance Co HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, Wiiliiam Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F, MaKercher, R!R.11, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Holmes•vi11e. DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Sh•oldice, Welton; Win, Knox, Londesboro; George . Leonhardt, Bornholm No. 1; Frank 'McGregor, ,Clinton No. 5; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex McEwing, Blyth No. 1; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other 'business, ,will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. A woman from .Florida approached President Wilson one clay; .and after the 'gree'tin'g, the President asked, 'What can I do for you " t'Oh, nothing at all," replied the woman, "I came from Florida just to see what a live P•residen't looks dike. I never saw one 'before." "That's very kind of you," replied President Wilson, laughing 'heartily. "There's no reason 'why you shouldn't, since many of us 'in the North here go all the way to 'Florida just to see a live 'alligator." "'Now Billy, what did I tell you last time alb'out birds?" "Surely you haven'•t fongdtten al- ready, teacher 1" Want and 'For Sale' ads, 3+'yoke, 50e