Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-06
CHAPTER iii
By the Hands OF Beouiieus Girl

OF shaggy backs filed the Monarda
thoroughfare. Two collie dogs with
lolling tongues scurried here and there
on the outskirts, menacing stragglers
with sharp barks, nipplng at vasrant
hooks. Now and then the dogs crossed
the field of moving wool, springing
from back TO back. Far behind, hardly
more than shadows in the haze of fine
dust from the clay road, were men
with long slaves. The men were shout
ing commands to the eager dogs, who
yelped angrily at the laggards or tru'
ants among the sheep.
You take the big ch,.nce this day
YOU take the big chance" complained
Beaulieu. He scowled apprehensively
when the clamor swelled; he peered
under his hand to the west, searching
with squirting eyes among the scat
tered trees Of the Yankee border
"Oh, the good old Red Lane is open
= for me here all right" said Roi, boast.
ing carelessly. They're looking for
me twenty miles north OF here. The
good old Red Lane is easily shifted
overnight" He laughed loudly and
looked at the window in the far end
of Beaulieu's house.
but when you shift three thousand
sheep and drive 'em across in daylight
YOU shall find much trouble some OF
these days" warned Vetal. THAT Red
Lane amt made to be use after sun
up
Roi did not reply. His eyes We're
fixed on the curtained window, but the
-.curtain continued to guar1ft jealousy.
A man, dust.streaked and painting
came running up on the outside of
the drove, leaping over the gutter
boulders.
What say, boss? All right ahead?'
Let 'em go, Nappy Divide 'em
as l told you. Same pastures as on
the last trip. When you come across
Jeffreys tell him I'll meet him later
in the day. I'm going to hang up here
awhile"
He was staring again at the cur.
tanned window He turned from the
drover and walked past the window,
fiicking his riding.whip at the hurry.
ing sheep, in his bravado exhibiting
the airs of the commander. He shouted
orders.
ut is bad for you and bad for me-
and now you go to make it much
worse" compained Vetal at his heels.
"She hears-she sees. She has come
back TO hate us for what we do on
the border"
IF she has got whims that a good
Acadian girl shouldn't have, then ITS
time TO have an understanding. II she
doesn't hate Yankee sneaks the way
she ought to hate 'em, we'll find out
what the reason is," declared Roi.
doggedly. 1T looks to me, Vetal. az
though you need help in handling your
own daughter"
He kicked viciously at bewildered
sheep who ventured into the broad
yard of Beaulieu's Place. He cursed
the dogs who were slow in turning the
TANKS OF the drove.
IF she is ashamed of me because
I've made my good money on the Red
Lane. as my father and lots OF other
good men did before me, it's because
she has been getting Yankee ideas
that an Acadian girl shouldn't have.
vetal
Its right to cheat Yankee. It's
a part of the game on this border.
They have always cheated US"
But Vetal Beaulieu did not seem TO
md consolation in Roi's opinions, He
plodded to and fro in the yard, his
somber gaze on the sheep.
"MNgirl has come home, and she is
ashame of her poor father" he NUT
tered. II have work and save for her,
and she Is ashame. ] think 1t is the
very bad time for poor Vetal Beaulieu
who have work so hard all his life
for his girl"
The laggard file-closers OF the weary
sheep were scufTling past Behind
them came the men with the bng
slaves, bawling to their charges.
Bring out half dozen bottles OF
the white rum, Vetal." directed Roi
But the master OF Beaulieu's Place
gave furtive glance at the curtained
window, growled, and kept on walk
ing.
Rol hurried into the big room and
came out with his hands full OF
bottles
"Open them later, boys, when the
pasture bars are up behind the bleat
ers." directed the chief. Keep 'en
moving. There's no customs sneal
ahead OF US on the Red Lane thi,
morning"
The drovers grinned. divided the
bottles among themselves. and hur
: rie1 on.
Suddenly Vetal. who had peere,
under his palm each time he turned
5 10 the west. threw up his arms anc
gave a shrill cry.
what have / tell you--what hav,
tell you. Dave Roi7 YOU have tool
the chance. You have fooled with tn
daytime, You have gone against tn
lad thing this time"
There was no mistaking the identit.
Of the person who appeared suddenl,
on the brow OF a hillock just ahea,
Of the drove. The first shaft Of IN
rising sun touched the insignia on tn