Joyce of the North Woods

rough basket, all that she could rightfully call her own in personal effects. The load was not heavy and she scarcely

d. A friendless creature who

tever fate he offered, but with the remnant of her intuitive belief in her personal charm and beauty, she paused at the edge of the wood, to plan some sort of attitude that would secure Jude's admi

t she turned her face toward Hillcrest. There were those over the hill who might give her work-what work? What could she do? But granting that she obtained work, how long could she retain a p

e thicket the girl crouched wit

hat if she hoped for success in her married life, she must not throw herself upon Jude

ifficulty arose, private or public, it was carried to the Black Cat for adjustment and final settlement. By putting every individual under deep obligation to him, Leon controlled money, loyalty and obedience. Every man in St. Angé was in his debt, and every woman had accepted, in some form or other, his wife's services. The

father's welcome at the tavern. Leon would arrange that, and bring about a

, by his subtlety, make it seem that she had come there to get ready for her marriage to Jude. He'd even arrange, perhaps, the marriage, and so clutch Jude a

ore. She was weak and suffering. She thought with a kind of comfort that perhaps it was hunger alone that was now causing her mental and physical agony. After she had eaten,

heavy the basket was; still, with a constant s

the ashes of her hurt and pain, and rose and rippled i

the lights in the houses flickered from open windows, and the Black Cat's glare seemed to control her motion

here was of privacy in Leon's establishment. Isa was washing the supper dishes. She was a tall, g

on with her task. "I thought

autiously forward, "I wan

rn made this moment secure. Isa pu

she aske

deous colouring, truth bald, and yet with a savi

d was confided, the woman

must cling together. Me and Tate pull in harness because we find it pays-we'll help you out-Tate in

u look fagged out. They ain't worth it, Joyce, men ain't. Father, husband-not one

d the readjustment of life, in her m

e roar and clatter growing hourly more deafening in the tavern, Isa and Joyce

girl's trouble to Leon as she thought advisable. Leon had recognized the opportunity as

rything will be blooming to-mor

Joyce's sore littl

rs never yet unsnarled a knot. Be you

bt upon that score and Joyce sat

It chances to be Jude-and after you get over the strangeness, he'll do as well as any other. They are all powerfully alike when they have their senses. The sameness lies in their having their faculties. The only man as was ever different in St. Angé was Timothy Drake. He got smashed on the head by a falling tree up to Camp 3, and his wits was crushed out of him. But do you know, what was left of Tim

feebly at thi

ou can, you better let them think they amounts to something even when you own to yourself they don't. Private opinions ain't going to bring on trouble; it's only when they ain't private. Now granting that man is what we know he is-it's plain common sense to get as much out of him as you c

ove! if man and woman was all, then when they came face to face with life they would get smashed; but housework tempers the matter powerfully; and man's work out among other men; and then when children

ned on. It was, for all her commotion, a v

Jude would always find her worth his while to be decent for. She would wre

ed quite a silly exhibition she had made of herse

Jared Birkdale when a woman's sense of right has been roused. Jared's wits are the keenest and the cruelest round here, and the poison in hi

Isa, and the cracked pitch

, the ile is pretty low in the lamp. Good night, child, and

bs and winced at the pain in them. Then she clasped her aching hands

deepening night soothed her, and the late new moon looked down th

Jude Lauzoon. He was crouchi

ding up," he whispered hoarsely.

Joyce's heart flutte

?" Jude turn

" she looked at him appealingl

escendingly gracious. He, of all who had taken part in this poor little drama, now held

il we get marr

e no

ch her once and for all, but he was willing to let her see that he only meant, since he must have her, to clutch close

most of to-day. I went to your father's this evening to have it out, but you wasn't there. I met Jock Film

hing for her to do but wait Jude's pleasure. Leon had n

last! I'd been there before you, and I was lyin

ener were the only sign that

ught 'twas him as had been shining up to you. I was actually hard agin him, and once went so far as to go up there

to let bygones be bygones, only-and you might as well know this-once I've had my eyes open, I ain't going to shut them again. I'll always be within call if you should forget yourself, and take to attracting Mr. Gaston's attention. He's my friend now, by

rstand!" Again the sh

a deaf ear to you like that, would

." The low

about this, 'less it's necessary. I know you're pretty and maybe a bit more flighty along of that, but being married and having your own work, may tone you down. If you'll stick by

derstan

put up an addition to my shack, and get some fixings over to Hillcrest. If you wa

"But if a minister should happen in St. Angé in the meanwhile, I'd-I'd marry you." This seemed a reasonabl

ong, we'll see. Things are tight and trim

the cold, upturned face. Then he laughed: for he had

ed now-t

tering candle and mounted the steep stairs. Once alone in the small stifling room, s

shutters wide to the pale moonlight, and u

o her lot. It was very or

of cold water in the face, and

Jude. He had her close in his grip. She must accept whatever he doled out