The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-03-06


put THIS was an exodus. Hilary Gale
MS gang foreman, who came ND su
lenly.
Whats the meaning of this?" h
asked.
I'VE strike. We want two dollar
day."
why don't the men come to me?"
i don't know. We strike, that
all. You see Leblanc"
$50 you've chosen this time TO strike
have your" cried Hilary furiously. "Al
right! Get out! I'll bring men owe
from the south shore"
| he went back to his shack and sa
down, resting his head on his hands
1t was clear that Brousseau had post
poned his original plan till now to Grip
pie him beyond hope. And Leblanc
who did not work for him, was II
charge Of the affair! He was thor
oughly disheartened over this new de
velopment.
However, If the strike did not ex
tend to the mill he could still get hi
shipment through.
Presently he heard the sound OF
wheels, and, going outside, saw LATE
driving rapidly along the road. HI
stopped the horse, jumped out of the
buggy, and came up with a woeful ex
preston on his face.
Il met your men going home, so
guess you know" he said. They've
struck"
"The mill hands. too?"
LATE nodded. Its that fellow LIE
blanc. He's telling them they can get
two dollars and their grub. Mac
Pherson tried to hold the mill hands
but he couldn't. You'll have to give
what they're asking"
Suppose / pay the mill hands two
dollars, will they stay in?" asked Hill
airy.
LATE shook his head. 81 offered 1t
EN-" he said. 81 took the RESPONSE
bility Of that. Maybe I was wrong
but anyway, 1t won't go. They say it's
to be two dollars all round, mill hands
and lumbermen."
'I'll not be beaten by Brousseau,"
said Hilary furiously.
LATE scratched his jaw. "It appears
to me that you're going in just the way
he wants you to-" he answered. MAKE
it two dollars till we get this shipment
through the MILL"
Hilary shook his head. "NOt a cent"
hn
Brousseau dictate the price of my
labor"
That's all right, / suppose, so far
as you're concerned" said LATE indig-
nantly, 'but what about me? l guess
I've got the right to have some word
in the matter, with that eight thousand
Of Clarice-my wife-invested. Seems
to me you're putting up your front on
my money as well as yours" he blurted
out.
"Pll write you check for It,"
'Oh, shucks !" said LATE; and, turn
ming upon his heel abruptly, he went
back to the buggy without another
word. He entered it, whisked the
reins, and drove slowly away. But
when he had gone hundred PAGES he
turned the horse and came back.
You'd better know the worst" he
said. Louis Duval's in st. Boniface,
and he's going to open up tonight.
Now I'm through with it-all of it."
He whipped the horse and drove
away furiously, leaving Hilary alone
In the deserted camp.
Hilary sat there for long time. 1t
began to grow dark. but, absorbed in
his bitter reflections, he took no note
Of anything. Everything sank into in
significance beside the fact that Louis
Duval, in open defiance of him and his
was selling liquor upon the
st. Boniface property. 1t was a DELHI
crate and direct challenge; and he
must accept 1t or be for ever discredit-
I'd among his men. More He must ac-
.ept it or abandon his plans and re-
urn home.
"Tll stop that, anyhow" he NUT
cred, and, rising, took a revolver from |
lis suitcase, loaded the six chambers, |
md thrust 1t into his coat pocket. |
Then he clapped on his hat and went
nut.
1t was still light, and he calculated
o reach st. Boniface soon after Duval
pened. But he had not gone dozen
aces when he heard the sound of
rotting horse, and presently. from
mong the trees, he perceived Made
cine Rosny upon the chestnut which
ad bolted with her on the day Of the
ynamite blast.
She put her horse to the gallop as
he neared him, and refined up so sud-
emily that she almost threw the beast
ack upon his launches. Hilary saw
hat she had new and powerful bit.
hitch gave her perfect control. Her
luck was splendid in this riding of
he same animal along the same road.
He raised his hat and waited. She
eaned over the horses shoulder, and
e saw that her face was expressive OF
reat concern.
You are not to go to st. Boniface
)night." she said.
"Mav I ask whv1n