The Pulaskian., 1920-03-05

CHAPTER XII.
Marie Awakes.

Hilary heard from Madeleine almost
daily, but they seldom met. Once OF
twice they made an appointment, but
both hated the thought of clandestin-
ity, and Hilary realized the need OF
concentrating all his thoughts upon his
work. Dupont had made three more
voyages, and Baptiste. who kept out
of sight. had given complete satisfae-
ton. The lumber had brought unex-
peetedly good prices, and there was
now 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
Ind occurred, but his mind was quite
clear, and, Madeleine thought, his
memory.
TowGrd 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
eagerncss 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 tap at the door,
and. to his establishment IN walked
Louis Duvhl.
The little liquor-selIer approached
him in an ingrat4ting manner Mon
slenr Askew." he said, 81 am very
sorry for that night. I have been
away Now come back, and Mou-
sieur Tessier tells me that you for
give. Now I come to thank you"
"Tkat's all right, Louis" said
Hillary. "You are forgiven, as long as
you keep out of that trade OF yours.
It's q bad business when it's run in
the Ste. Marie way"
Louis Duval shifted contemptuous-
~. I'm out" he announced. Sand
Simeons out. And he say he hope
you don't bear ill-fceling. Them fell
lows never pay US cent. An got
my head busted open too" he added
s'eGectiyely.
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 q saloon in ST. Boni-
facez" he asked.
'sSrrc he did, TTc said If open he
set me up. an he pay me two hundred
dollars more Il those fellows kill you"
Good Lord Is that all I'm WORTH"
asked Hilary.
HOh 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 I don know. But
Pierre an Leblanc swear they get you
yet. An Simcon's out of the game.
An ] want to tell you something, Mon
sicur Askew, IL you won bust my head
oren again.
"Your heads quite safe, Louis.
What is it,"
That damn BroIsseaa promise nee
two hundred for the otl.er job an only
ray me dfty."
What other jo5?"
For to get them fellows to saw
your boom, monsieur.
$50 it was sawed, was it?' demand
Ell Hilary furioGsly.
'Ycs. monsieur. I get three fellows
from the south shore, an I fell into
the water an got rheumatic, an pay
ter dollars for medicines, an that
damn Brousseau-"
Louis, will you sign your name to
that?"
20 sure. if you get them fellows
nm Brousseau first" replied the little
man. edging toward the door. Finding
that he was not pursued, he hailed.
"AIonsieur Askew. gone back TO my
fishing job" he said.
Hilary thought this was character
istic occupation for Louis to take up,
since it afforded him several months
of idleness before the fishing season
opened.
s.You have boat?" he asked, re-
mcnbering his plan to revisit the is
land.
20 sure" said Louis New sails
an rudder--all new except the boat.
YER fine boat, monsieur"
"Could you take Mr.. Connell and
myself over TO the island and back
tomorrow"
Il think SO, monsieur, If the sea
amt running too high"
BE ready with your boat at one, .
said Hilary.
Ii was practically his last chance
for six months of visiting the island
He sent messenger with a note to
Lafe at the camp. asking him to be
In 81 Ronifacn NJ ftoon Then he