Law of the North (Originally published as Empery)

by Samuel Alexander White

  CHAPTER VI

  IN THE BLOOD

  Dunvegan hastened after Desiree Lazard and overtook her near her uncle'scabin. Pierre himself had gone in ahead.

  "Wait a moment, Desiree," he begged. "I want you to promise mesomething. I'll have no peace till you do. Macleod has ordered me tobuild at once the new post on the site I selected----"

  "Kamattawa?" she queried.

  "Yes. It is to hold the Nor'westers in check."

  Desiree smiled. "The company of my father!" she reproved gently.

  "Would that there were no need to fight them!" Dunvegan breathed. "Wouldthat I might stay here! But I cannot. And it is torture for me to gowith fear and doubt in my mind. I want your solemn promise that thisman Ferguson shall have no speech with you."

  "Why?" She was looking at him with her head turned sidewise like a saucybird.

  "Why?" Bruce echoed. "Surely you don't mean that. You know what he is.You saw to-day what he has done. They say he is hard set after you. Andyour heart should recoil from the very idea. Why? You don't mean it,Desiree. You are not that shallow!"

  Her eyes suddenly softened. "Forgive me, Bruce. I was only tormentingyou. I promise. I freely promise." She thrust both hands in his.

  Dunvegan's blood leaped at the contact, but he controlled himself."That's well, Desiree," he murmured. "That's so much gained. And what Igain I never lose. Perhaps when I come back I may gain still more!"

  His gaze had a hunger in it. The whole strong manliness of his honestnature was pleading for what she had hitherto denied him. Desiree feltthe strength of his passion and lowered her glance.

  There were people passing, but foot by foot in her maddening elusivenessDesiree had drawn from the trail till she was hidden behind the outercabin door which swung half open. Dunvegan, his shoulders wedged in theopening, tried to read her face.

  "In a few days I'll be gone to build Kamattawa," he went on. "Give mesome hope before I go. Don't send me away without a shred ofencouragement, Desiree."

  Wide-eyed she gazed at him. She was flushed, her manner all uncertain.Her breath came quickly. Abruptly she flung out her arms in a swiftgesture of pity.

  "Bruce," she cried, "it might be some time--if--if things weredifferent."

  "How?"

  "If you didn't hold so strongly to the Hudson's Bay Company."

  Dunvegan stepped back, his lips closed grimly.

  "Would you--ever break your allegiance?" Desiree faltered.

  "Never while my blood runs!"

  "Oh, your proud spirit!" she lamented. "And mine as proud! It's no use,Bruce. It's no use."

  She sprang up on the steps, but Dunvegan caught her by the arms.

  "Don't," she protested. "There are people passing."

  "They can't see," he replied feverishly. "You musn't go like thiswithout telling me more. Why will you keep this barrier between us?"

  "I have vowed I will never wed a man except he be of my own company."

  "But why? What is the loyalty of old service to a woman?"

  "As much as to a man. Remember every man of the companies was bred ofwoman. It is a matter of blood. And loyalty to the Northwest Company isin my blood."

  Because the feminine soul of her was beyond his understanding, the chieftrader was smitten with bitterness and anger. "And you will foreverswear by these Nor'westers?" he demanded. "You will swear by a lot offrontier ruffians herded under the leadership of such a scoundrel asBlack Ferguson? Tell me that!"

  "I must," Desiree answered.

  Dunvegan turned on his heel without another word.

  But Desiree was flying after him as he reached the trail. Her hand wason his shoulder.

  "Bruce," she panted.

  He stopped. His face was cold, impassive.

  "Well?"

  "I must because--my--my father died with them. His spirit is in me."Both her hands were on his shoulders now. She was very much in earnest,and it hurt her that he should in any way misconstrue her motives."There are times," she continued, "when I feel I hate the Hudson's BayCompany and all its servants. But at those times I always have to amendmy hatred. Not _all_ its servants! Don't you understand?"

  She let him fathom her eyes, and he understood. There he caught a gleamof something he had never surprised before. The joy of the discoveryran through him like exultant fire.

  He prisoned both the wrists at his shoulders. "Desiree, you care! Youcare a little!"

  "Yes," she breathed, and still unwillingly, "I care--a little!"

  With the partial confession she wrenched free and rushed blindlyindoors.