ked so foolish that Nanette laughed until her
long dark lashes were damp with tears; and then, when Miki slunk down
from the chair, feeling his shame horribly, she ran to him and put her
arms around him and pleaded with him until he took his place at the
table again.

So the day passed until mid-afternoon, when Nanette cleared away all
signs of the celebration and locked Miki in his cage. It was fortunate
she was ahead of time, for scarcely was she done when Le Beau came into
the edge of the clearing, and with him was Durant, his acquaintance and
rival from the edge of the Barrens farther north. Durant had sent his
outfit on to Port O' God by an Indian, and had struck south and west
with two dogs and a sledge to visit a cousin for a day or two. He was
on his way to the Post when he came upon Le Beau on his trapline.

Thus much Le Beau told Nanette, and Nanette looked at Durant with
startled eyes. They were a good pair, Jacques and his guest, only that
Durant was older. She had become somewhat accustomed to the brutality
in Le Beau's face, but she thought that Durant was a monster. He made
her afraid, and she was glad when they went from the cabin.

"Now I will show you the BETE that is going to kill your POOS as easily
as your lead-whelp killed that rabbit to-day, m'sieu," exulted Jacques.
"I have told you but you have not seen!"

And he took with him the club and the whip.

Like a tiger fresh out of the jungles Miki responded to the club and
the whip to-day, until Durant himself stood aghast, and exclaimed under
his breath: "MON DIEU! he is a devil!"

From the window Nanette saw what was happening, and out of her rose a
cry of anguish. Sudden as a burst of fire there arose in
her--triumphant at last and unafraid--that thing which for years The
Brute had crushed back: her womanhood resurrected! Her soul broken free
of its shackles! Her faith, her strength, her courage! She turned from
the window and ran to the door, and out over the snow to the cage; and
for the first time in her life she struck at Le Beau, and beat fiercely
at the arm that was wielding the club.

"You beast!" she cried. "I tell you, you SHALL NOT! Do you hear? You
SHALL NOT!"

Paralyzed with amazement, The Brute stood still. Was this Nanette, his
slave? This wonderful creature with eyes that were glowing fire and
defiance, and a look in her face that he had never seen in any woman's
face before? NON--impossible! Hot rage rose in him, and with