Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-02-24
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER XII.
Marie Awakes.

both hated the thought of clandestin-
ity, and Hilary realized the need Oh
concentrating all his thoughts upon his
work. Dupont had made three more
voyages, and Baptiste, who kept out
of sight. had given complete satisfac-
ton. The lumber had brought unex-
pectedly good prices. and there was
now a probability that before naviga-
ton closed Hilary would be in posi-
ton to carry on till spring. When the
winter cutting began, and there was
more leisure, Hilary meant to fight out
the issue with Rosny. The old man
was still partly paralyZed, and he had
made no reference of any kind to what
had occurred, but his mind was quite
clear, and, Madeleine thought, his
memory.
Toward the middle of the month the
newly discovered spruce supply had
all been numbered. Success seemed
now almost assured. Dupont was get
ting ready TO make his last voyage.
The snow was not yet deep enough
for the teams to be sent into the
woods, and Hilary turned his thoughts
once more to the island, more from
eagerness to explore that part of his
domain than from any thought of cut
ting there that winter.
Hilary was in his Office one day
when there came a tap at the door,
and, to his astonishment, in walked
Louis Duval.
The little liquor-seller approached
him in an ingratiating manner. Mon
sieur Askew," he said, Il am very
sorry for that night. l have been
away. Now 1 come back, and Mon
sieur Tessier tells me that you for
give. Now / come to thank you"
That's all right. Louis" said
Hilary. "You are forgiven, as long as
you keep out of that trade of yours.
It's a bad business when it's run in
the Ste. Marie way"
Louis Duval shifted contemptuous-
~. I'm out" he announced. "And
Simeon's out. And he say he hope
you don't bear ill-feeling. Them fell
lows never pay us a cent. An l got
my head busted open too" he added
reflectively.
Hilary sprang to his feet and took
the little man by the arms. do you
mean to tell me Brousseau offered
you money to open a saloon in st. Boni-
face?" he asked.
"Sure he did. He said if 1 open he
set me up, an he pay me two hundred
dollars more if those fellows kill you"
Good Lord Is that all I'm worth p
asked Hilary.
ooh it amt that" answered Louis.
81 guess you're worth more than that
much. But Pierre an Leblanc, they
crazy TO kill you, because you thrash
Pierre an you take away Leblanc's
business an his family starve. May
be he pay them too maybe they pay
him to let them. 1 don know. But
Pierre an Leblanc swear they get you
yet An SimeOn's out of the game.
An I want TO tell you something. Mon
sieur Askew, if you won bust my head
open again"
"Your heads quite safe, Louis.
What is it,"
That damn BrOuSseau promise me
two hundred for the other job an only
pay me fifty"
what other jOb?''
For to get them fellows to saw
your boom, monsieur"
$50 it was sawed, was ito" demand
ed Hilary furiously.
'Yes. monsieur. l get three fellows
from the south shore, an l fell into
the water an got rheumatic, an pay
ten dollars for medicines, an that
damn Brousseau-"
Louis, will you sign your name to
that?"
30 sure, If you get them fellows
an Brousseau first" replied the little
man, edging toward the door. Finding
that he was not pursued. he halted.
Monsieur Askew, l gone back to my
fishing job" he said.
Hilary thought this was q character
istic occupation for Louis to take up,
since it afforded him several months
of idlenesS before the fishing season
opened.
you have a boat?" he asked. re-
Numbering mis- plan TO revisit the is
land.
20 sure" said Louis. New sails
an rudder-all new except the boat.
A YER fine boat, monsieur"
Gould you take Mr.. Connell and
myself over TO the island and back
tomorrow"
II think so, monsieur. If the sea
amt running too high"
BE ready with your boat at one. "
said Hilary.
1t was practically his last chance
for six months of visiting the island.
He sent a messenger with a note TO
LATE at the camp. asking him TO be
in St. Boniface at noon. Then he
wrote his daily letter TO Madeleine.
He mentioned his projected Journey.
but nothing else, except his love and
his hopes, which were weighty enough.
AS he entered the store to mail II
In the letter-box there he thought the
Ioafers seated about the place looked
at him curiOuSly. He had several times
noticed a certain furtiveness in their
regard, but had each time ascribed II
to Imagination and dismissed the mat
ter. He did so again. He was walk
ing back when he saw boy outside
the office.
Captain Dupont says he is ready 10
sail, monsieur" he said.
Tell him I'm coming down to speak
10 him." said Hilary.
He went toward the wharf. Dupont
was talking to BaptiSte. As he ap-
preached. Hilary saw the two cease
their conversation and look at him.
Then Baptiste walked slowly away to-
ward his vessel. Dupont. who had
just received the message from the
boy. stood motionless where he had
been. waiting.
Hilary became suddenly conscious of