Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-01-02

He touched his hat and withdrew with
a sort of shuffiing bow.
"You certainly do have the knack of
putting things across, Mr.. Askew," said
Lafe admiringly. 81 guess you're ready
to go back to the hotel. Wait There's
old Dupont, the captain of the lumber
schooner. I guess you'll want to meet
him?"
81 suppose So" said Hilary.
Dupont came toward the rig, ac-
cOmpanied by the timekeeper. The
captain was a tall old man of about
sixty years, with a gray beard, a
weather-beaten face, and pale gray
eyes that seemed to burn with some
consuming fire. His look, as he turned
it on Hilary, was SO searching, and so
inscrutable, and so momentarily hos
tile, that Hilary felt uncomfortable.
There was history behind that pene-
trating stare-a history and a hate.
But after a moments examination
of Hilary's face film seemed to come
over the old mans eyes. Whatever
the reason for his strange gaze, Du-
pont was satisfied. He stood by Lafe
and Jean-Baptiste translated.
''The captain says the schooner's
full" he said. "He want to start for
Quebec on tonight's tide"
''Tell him to speak to Mr. Askew
here" answered Lafe. "Say that Mr.
Askew's in charge"
The timekeeper translated back into
the French. A smile flickered upon
Dupont's face. He shook his head and
answered.
"He says he's got to have Mr.. Nor
ris' orders,' said Baptiste.
Lafe turned to Hilary, who took III
the conversation. ASK him If he
doesn't understand what I am here
for" he suggested.
Dupont was impregnable in his po
sitiOn. He had lumber from both con
cessions, and Mr.. Morris. was in charge
of both. What orders had been left
with reference to his freight?
Lafe was pleased and surprised al
the way Hilary took it. But Hilary
had learned a good deal during thai
morning.
''That sounds reasonable" he said
"Give him Mr.. Morris orders, Connell
whatever they are" And, when the
matter had been settled, he added
''You were dead right, Connell We've
got to settle with the big fellows first
He dropped Lafe at the mill ant
drove slowly homeward across thu
i hY.id iol- ri
probably be no trouble with Leblan,
after he had shown that he was mas
ter. And Lafe would be a pillar O
strength. Hilary had instructive faitl
in the slow-speaking Yankee.
81 must get little Baptiste on ou
side, too." he said aloud, as the bugg,
topped the hill beyond the bridge; an,
then he became aware of Madeleine
Rosny upon her horse, at the end O
the branch road, waiting for him t.
pass.
Hilary felt uncertain and awkward
Ought he to raise his hat to her? 1
glance at her face showed him tina
she was perfectly aware who he was
1t showed him a firm chin, resolutek
set, two angry blue eyes, and f1ushe
cheeks whose redness did not com
from hard riding.
He decided to bow. But before h
did so the buggy had passed, leavin
a path; and Mademoiselle Madeleine
her face averred, started her hors
down the hill. Hilary jerked the rein
angrily, and the pony set off at ga
lop for Monsieur Tremblay's stable:
But before the final descent wa
reached Hilary was laughing. Some
how the girls hostility seemed to ad
a zest to the game.
II don't know that I'll be so yer
diplomatic with Brousseau after all
said Hilary, as he drew rein at th
stable entrance.