Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-02-27
CHAPTER XII.
Mario Awakes,

moth hated the thought of clandestin-
fty and Hilary realized the need of
concentratins all his thoughts upon his
work. Dupont had made three more
voyages, and Baptiste. who kept out
of sight, hail given complete satisfae-
zion. The lumber had brought unex-
Dectedly good pzices, and there was
now a probability thst before nayiga-
tion closed Hilary would be in posi-
ton to carry op til spring. When the
winter cutting began, and there was
more leisure. Hillary meant to fight out
the issue .;th Rosny. The old man
was still 3artIy paraiyzed, and he had
made 10 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
neSly discovered spruce supply had
ali been numbered. Success seemed
nov almost assured. Dupont was get
ting ready to make his last voyage.
The snow was not vet deep enough
Toy the teams to be sent into the
woods, and Hilary turned his thoughts
or.ce more to the island, more from
esgerness 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 establishment, in walked
Louis Duval.
The little liquor-seller approached
BIN in an ingratiating manner. "Mon-
steur Askew." he said, II am very
sorry for that night. have been
away. Now l come back, and Mon
steur 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 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-feeIing. Them fell
lows never pay us a cent. An / got
my head busted open too" he added
rehectively.
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 saloon in st. Boni-
faceT' he asked.
"Sure he did. He said if l 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?
asked Hilary.
'Oh it amt that: answered Louis.
Il 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 Leblancs
business an his family starve. May
be he pay them too; maybe they pay
him to let them. I dom know. But
Pierre an Leblanc swear they get you
yet. An Simeon's out of the game
An want TO tell you something, Mon
sieur Askew, if you won bust my head
open again."
"Your heads quite safe, Louis.
What is lit"
THAT damn Brousseau promise me
two hundred for the other job an only
pay me fifty"
What other jeh?"
For to get. them fellows to saw
your boom, monsieur"
$50 1t was sawed, was it?' demand
ed Hilary furiously.
Yes, monsieur. I get three fellows
from the south shore, an / fell into
the water an got rheumatic, an pay
ten dollars for medicines, an that
damn Brousseau--"
Louis, will you sign your name to
:iiar?"
20 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, gone back to my
fishing job" he said.
Hilary thought this was a character
istic occupation for Louis TO take up,
since 1t afforded him several months
OF idleness before the fishing season
opened.
You have boarT' he asked, re-
membering his 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
Il think so, monsieur, if TIE sea
amt running too high"
BE ready wish your boat at one. /"
said Hilary.
1t was practically his last chance |
Tor six months of visiting the island |
He sent messenger with note TO |
Lafe at the camp. asking him to be |
In St. Bociface at noon. Then he |
wrote his daily letter to Madeleine.
He mentioned his projected journey.
Out nothing else, except his love and |
his hopes which were xveivhtv apol11h