Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-03-05

III MS Hgnt Tor Hilary, Sne was prepar-
ing to fight against all that she held
dearest, for the sake Of the swindler
across the room. Lafe admired her
courage, but this he had expected.
my business is with Mr.. Rosny,"
he said.
Don't let that trouble you. speak
for Monsieur Rosny," answered Brous-
seau.
you'll hear for him, too, then," re-
torted Lafe. "Mr. Rosny, that man is
liar, thief and q swindling rogue.
That's what I've come to prove"
Brouseau started forward, his face
pale with rage. AS he placed himself
in a fighting attitude Lafe calmly as
sumed tha- Of defense, the left fist
ready, the right arm across his chest,
turned outward and slightly upward.
Brousseau was no coward, but he hesi-
tated, and his moment passed.
The Seigneur's face grew dark with
anger. mo man can say such things
Of a guest Of mine," he cried. and
gripped the arms of his chair as If try
ing to rise. Madeleine bent over him
and restrained him. Her face was
| flushed with resentment.
II told you my business was with
you, Mr.. Rosny," said Lafe, unper-
turbed. II amt speaking to him. God
knows I don't want to speak to him.
He says he's speaking for you, SO let
him speak to this. He's swindled the
st. Boniface lumber company out of
eighty thousand dollars, so far as
we've learned yet, and maybe more.
But guess he's heard enough. I got
the proofs, but maybe it's painful lis
tening"
Leave the Chateau Immediately,
Monsieur !" thundered the Seigneur.
"Not till I've finished speaking" an
swered Lafe. unless he asks me to
go, and then I'll think about it. He's
speaking for you. You amt in on this.
deal, Mr.. Rosny. And now I've ante'd."
he ended deiantly.
Madeleine came forward quietly.
'You can go, Mr. Connell," she said in
a voice vibrant with restrained anger.
I'VE do not permit Monsieur Brous-
seau to be insulted, here or anywhere.
Your conduct is intolerable. Leave in
stantly, and If you have anything to
say to him in accusation say it when
he has not a woman and sick man
present to restrain his resentment"
Lafe flushed. "And you amt in 1t
neither, Mamzelle," he answered.
what got to say say to Mr.. Rosny.
I come here to say it and I'll go when
I said it."
"Oh, let him speak," snarled Brous-
seau. Monsieur Askew is afraid to
come here with his lies, so he has sent
his man."
Madeleine's eyes flashed. ''This is
no place for personalities, Edouard," /"
cried the girl. Perhaps you will &C.
company Mr.. Connell to the door and
let him say what he wishes to say out
side"
81 say it herei' cried Lafe in furi-
GUS voice that surprised himself
Hes cheated us out Of eighty thou.
sand dollars, and he's cheated you, Mr.
Rosny, out of about as much, and prob.
ably more, and you can put 1t in any
words you like. And I've got the pa.
pers to prove it-all of 'em.'
Brousseau WINGED and staggered
back dumfounded; there was no mis-
taking now that the man was afraid
Though Madeleine would not deign tc
acknowledge that she had listened tc
Lafe's words, Lafe caught the flicker
Of her eyelids as she glanced quickly
toward Brousseau, and he knew thai
at the same instant she had seen the
look on Brousseau's face. The Seig
neur, mouthing impotently, had KEEP
trying to rise; but now he sat open
mouthed In his chair, and thereafter
they listened.
TIL tell you why he wants the
seigniory," continued Lafe. 81 CUES.
it's part plain greed, but there's an
other reason, and that explains VIII,
; he wants to get Mr.. Askew off. There,
, an asbestos mine on the island-Lool
at him Look at him!"
Brousseau was glaring at him, tn,
picture of impotent rage. Lafe, hav
!, ing indicated him with his hand, re
sumed:
HE kept 1t off the map in our office
pretending the island isn't on our linn
its, and he spread that story, but yo1
, know better, Mr.. Rosny. The islam,
has the best asbestos mine this side O
Thetford, and I've seen the mines a
. Thetford. And it's worth good quar-
ter million dollars, I reckon. Mayb
more. Maybe a million-I amt n
: judge. And he's kept it secret fror
you"
!. Hes drunk or dreaming" NUT
!, tered Brousseau, trembling. "a fey
: strands Of rock fax, commercial
worthless"
= "But that amt roguery. That's jus
) business trick" said Connell. 'Ho,
did he get you into his power, Mr.. Ros
4 ny, asking your pardon? I'll tell yol
He's cheated you as he's cheated u
| except that it was worse, because 70
\ trusted him, which we never dit
That's what I come to tell you, M
Rosny. He's swindled you out {
nearly forty thousand dollars on on
deal, in North Empire Developmer
company stock, and maybe in other
Brousseau feaped at Lafe like
tiger. Lafe. who had anticipated tt
move, stepped dexterously aside, ,
J the same time twirling the chair Q
: which his hand was resting. Brou
/ seau, in his plunge forward, trippe
over it. stumbled and fell prone to Il
floor.
And / got the papers to prove tn;
!, -here" said Lafe triumphantly.
Brousseau rose, rubbing his shiI
and muttering curses, and glared sa
agely about him. Madeleine W,
breathing quickly, her eyes fixed 1
tently on Lafe's face.
Its ID lie !" cried Broussea
They've forged those papers. Whel
are they? Eh? Show mel"
HE said he was speaking for 70
" Mr.. Rosny," said Lafe, $50 here the
are. I guess you know your sign
ture?"
It. He drew the envelope from his poe
1t, ct and placed the three documents {