Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-03-12

WOODEN SPOIL ;:;::.: $$s:::



through the clashing Ice foes with a /
noise like that of artillery, but Made
leine saw his purpose, and in an in
slant was at work helping him. They |
began swiftly building barricade:
and, as Madeleine deposited her logs |
by the side of Hilary's. Hilary wedged |
the ends against the chained stacks on |
either side, so that the whole would |
form an immovable barrier. He toiled |
furiously, for their scanty time was
precious beyond value. Soon Made
leine was behind the barricade. ad-
justing the logs that Hilary brought,
and it stood the height of his waist.
1t was improbable that either Du-
pont, Pierre or Leblanc carried re-
volver; but, even If they did, the bar
ricade was bullet-proof. Hilary for
got his aching head, the retching nau-
sea. The barrier was shoulder-high.
He clambered behind 1t and took his
station there just as the grinding of
the foes ceased, and the schooner
caught the clear water.
A ray of moonlight, struggling
through the fog, disclosed old Dupont
at the wheel above the poop, and the
great mainsail sweeping over it-and
two forms that crept along the pas
sage between the lumber piles. They
started back in sudden CONSERVATION
at the sight of the unexpected barri-
cade, and Hilary's club, aimed at
Pierre's head, descended upon the out
laws arm, which dropped limp at his
side.
With yell Pierre started back, but
Leblanc leaped forward, knife in hand
So sudden was the attack that it
/ drove within an inch of Hilary's
throat. Madeleine screamed. rushed
forward, and pulled Hilary back. AS
Leblanc caught sight of her he uttered
an exclamation and followed Pierre
back into the darkness of the lumber
piles.
Silence followed. That wait was
tense and nerve gripping. Hilary tried
to get Madeleine to return into the
cabin. but she kept her place at his
side. Then, to Hilary's utter surprise,
he heard Brousseau's voice, and dis
cerned him moving out of the dark
ness of the lumber.
Monsieur Askew, want to speak to
you. I can trust you"
Hilary returned no answer, but
Brousseau, apparently confident OF
Hilary's honor, pushed forward an6
came up to the barricade.
4 "Ah, mademoiselle, you have done 9
foolish thingl' he said quietly to Mad
eleine. "No harm was meant to Mon
sieur Askew. / want those papers
that's all. I heard he was coming
aboard and adopted this ruse to ge
them. They are lies. written by dis
charged employee, and can't afford t.
be lied about. I want to clear m,
honor in your eyes, mademoiselle."
n But as neither answered him h
dropped his pose Of blandness and ad
I dressed Hilary.
i I've got. more at stake than tn
seigniory and the asbestos mine," h
cried. 'That's only drop in tn
bucket. / admit it's been fair figh
between us and you've won. I didn'
; want the seigniory. wanted the fghr
, I'm willing to drop it now and Civ
; you best. But want those papers.
"They amt yours, Monsieur Askev
Morris forged them, but you kel
, them, and that's why I trapped 70
here. 1t was me stopped Dupont fror
killing you, because Of his daughter.
Madeleine laughed contemptuousl
at the lie, and Brousseau snorted lik
lashed horse.
II want those papers," he went o
doggedly. '"They amt in your clothe
: and they amt in your bag Give thel
: to me and Wen cry quits, and Til pr
you and Madeleine ashore at ST,
Anne. l can trust you and you ca
: trust me. Are you going to agree|
"Nop shouted Hilary.
He had had the sense that Brou
seau meditated some treachery, but
L was not prepared for what followe
= Madeleine cried to him and pullt
lt him back, just as Pierre and Leblal
L leaped down from the forecastle roc
e to which they had climbed durir
g Brousseau's fictitious parleying. Eat
II had his knife ready, and they we
upon Hilary together.
L There was no room for maneuverin
q and Hilary never knew afterward he
- lie escaped. But he thrust his cl'
Z into Leblanc's face, and, then, as Il
man stumbled back, brought it dov
$ with full force upon Pierre's skull.
- All the strength of his arms we
s. int +bo blow Pierre novor sno1