Charlevoix county herald., 1914-08-29

and she Is duly grateful.
But Curran no longer headed him.
In lis evaporation he roughly
pushed the old man aside and
dashed up to the tent, throwing the
flap open.
He was faced by Mashkaugan,
Who placed one of his long, gnarled
hands on the agents breast and held
him back.
"Thy place is not in here" said
the hunchback.
Curran grasped him and would
have flung him aside, but he could
hardly bulge the half breed. Father
Gregoirc who quickly followed, laid
a powerful hand on the agents
shoulder.
81 will not have any brawling on
this day." he said gravely. Loosen
your hold, men! order peace
among YOU. Mashkaugan, stand thou
back! Curran has surely the right
to be with US and join in our rejoic-
ing. Enter quietly now"
The agent walked in, glancing fu-
riously at Mashkaugan, and the old
missionary.
But when he was inside the tent
he remained like a man transfiXed by
an arrow, or as one lost in a biz
zard, who has leaned against tree
and there been frozen stiff and stark.
Lorimer had been lying down, but
now he had raised himself on one
elbow.
The thin, drawn f, lures looked to
Curran like those of a corpse that
has been taken from tomb, not
withstanding the smile that was
upon them.
Casting a bewildered glance about
him, he saw Ameou, with the child
living upon her breast. The gentle
smile of happy greeting with which
she met his look he translated in his
excitement as grin of triumph over
him.
"You have all be- plotting
against mew he ragged. "All have
sought to make a fool of me!
suppose you'll be telling lies to the
company about me, won't you? You
can't prove anything. You take me
for one that may be gulled and
spurY.ed and laughed at, do you ?"
Where's that devil of half breed ?"
The man dashed furiously out of
the tent.
peace! Keep still, command
you!" shouted Father Gregoire.
But Curran paid no heed and ran
toward Mashkaugan, who stood at
short distance with folded arms.
"I'll have no fighting" cried the
priest again. Run away, Mashkau-
gan, till we quiet this madman.
Help! You men by the canoes!
The Indian canoemen came run
ming up as Mashkaugan turned
away. Mashkaugan ran few steps
like a deer, paying little heed to his
direction. The lnfuriated man fol-
lowed close.
In a few seconds he was on the
ledge of rock which overhung the
lake, and vas compelled to turn at
bay.
and they grappled as wild beast,
panting like bull moose in deadly
fight. For a moment the agent tore
a hand free from the grasp of the
hunchback's long arms, and an eX-
plosion was heard.
For another brief instant, Mash
kaugan loosened his hold, but one of
his great fists came crashing against
Curran's lower jaw.
The agent fell like an animal that
has been poleaxed and slipped inert
lv from the shelving rock into the
deep-blue water, which closed over
him-rippling at first and then
smoothing over as if to cast a veil
over the gruesome evidence of his
blind, wild fury.
The Indians leaped into their ca
noes and padded swiftly to the spot.
For time they searched with long,
setting poles, but the water was
deep and they could find nothing. In
. short time they ceased, fearing the
spirits that gather about the places
of sudden death were about them.
Mashkaugan was lying on the
ground. The men carried him close
to the tent, where the old mission
airy knelt by him, weeping.
Il should have permitted thee TO
defend thyself," he said sadly.
But Mashkauga smiled at him.
ut is for the best" he said in a
low. hating voice. Il would speak
to thee, father, ana be shriven by
thee if my sins may ever be for
given. Put thy ear near my mouth,
for | ccl speak but low"
The old man listened. For some
minutes slow words that hurt con-
tinued to come. Tn I Father Gro
going made sign and Maku came to
him.
Bring Lorimerw he ordered.
The sick man was brought. sup
ported on both sides, and knelt by
the reclining man.
"Mashkaugan begs thy forgive
ness" said the priest.
Indeed, | forgive thee all, Mash
kaugan," said Lorimer. 81 would
give much to know that We two soon
might travel again as friends to-
gether in the greatness of the
woodsw
The hunchback smiled at him
gratefully and spoke in a stronger
voice.
"If | am forgiven of God and
man." said he, there will surely be
happiness in lying over there bet
tween the two great birches that
overlook the water and the glory of
every rising SUM-"
For many days it seemed as f
they would have to bury him ne
meath thp SltN.rN trees vat he racov-