gger on
any return. Well, I haven't got over that notion yet. It goes with me
every time, and I pray the good God of this darnation wilderness it
always will. I allow this is just preliminary, to make you feel good
before I start in to talk. It isn't the sermon you may guess it is, so
that'll make it easier remembering what lies back of my head when you
start--guessing."

Marcel produced a pipe and stuffed it with the tobacco he flaked off a
sad-looking plug. The pipe was crudely carved in Eskimo fashion out of
the ivory of a walrus tusk. Keeko watched him silently with an interest
she made no attempt to disguise, while deep in her heart was stirring
that feeling she was wholly unconscious of. His "preliminary" was
unnecessary. In her woman's way she read him to her own satisfaction.

He lit his pipe carefully, and as carefully extinguished his match. They
were in a forest where the decaying vegetation was as dry as tinder.

"You need pelts," he said, after a considering pause. "You need three
thousand dollars trade in 'em. You want silver fox and black fox.
Well--you can have enough to set Lorson Harris squealing."

Keeko was startled.

"But--I don't get you!" she cried, with the helplessness of complete
amazement.

"It's easy."

Marcel smoked on in leisurely enjoyment of the surprise he had given
this nymph of the primordial.

Keeko shook her head.

"You mean--" she broke off. "No, you're a pelt hunter yourself. You said
so. We're rivals on the fur trail."

"Rivals?" Marcel sat up in his turn. "We can't be," he said earnestly.
"I'm some sort of a man. You're a--girl. You've forgotten."

They sat regarding each other. A great hope was in Marcel's heart. In
fancy he was picturing to himself months of this girl's companionship in
the deep silences and tremendous solitudes which had become so much a
part of his life. He had visions of this tall, beautiful creature always
by his side, ready, skilful, eager. With the sympathy of their craft
always between them, and, for himself, a purpose, an incentive such as
never in his life had he possessed. The contemplation of it all was too
wonderful for words. It was a dream, a happy, wonderful dream.

But for Keeko it was all different. She was not concerned with a dream
future. She was thinking of the generosity, the reckless generosity
that set this splendid youth desirous of yielding all to satisfy her
needs. He asked no question as to those needs. He knew nothing