Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-01-13

moss out of the interstices between the
logs with forked stick. When he
turned the last of the Ste. Marie men
was disappearing out of the clearing
down the road. He waited long enough
Tor them to reach the fork, before re-
entering the buggy.
lie was thoughtful on thS drive
homeward. He knew that it was only
the unexpected nature of his action
which had cleared the concession. That
had been paramount duty; at any
COST ne must preserve the integrity of
ms land. But, given Brousseau's lead
ershlD and active hostility, they could
put up fight which wcnId render him
lmpotent. Physical force could bring
him nowhere in tbs end.
1t took about an hour for the embeI-
lished story to filter through to the
mill. Before work was knocked off that
! afternoon Hilary became conscious of
a new Difference in his hands manner
of gaping looks that followed him when
he went from Office to mill, or back
For the first time st. Boniface began
to believe that the Morris regime had
really passed.
We've still got Brousseau. though
said Hilary to LATE. "When do you
suppose he's going to declare himself?'
Soon" said Lafe you've seen to
that, Mr. Askew"
well, answered Hilary cheerfully
well meet that trouble when it comes
Meanwhile. don't spare the teams in
breaking up those piles and sending
them through the mill. I've got to get
out record load next month, and I'm
going to credit all the wood that goes
through the mill to the ST. BCniface
tract and let Brousseau take any ac-
ton he likes about it,
BrousSeau was not long in declaring
war. On the following afternoon, as he
| sat in his Office, Hilary looking through
| the window, saw Madeleine Rosny
driving rig along the road toward the
mill. Beside her sat a man whom he
had never seen before He surmised
| at once that it was Brousseau, but he
hardly expected that the girl was
| bringing him to the Office.
Such proved to be the case The rig
! stopped at the door and Hilary had a
glimpse of Medicines averted, scorn-
full face as she sat waiting, as if Hilary
was beneath her pride, as if to stop
there was no more than to stop at any
| laborer's shack. Her companion leaped
out and came briskly to the door.
He was a man of something more
than forty but active and younglook-
ing. He came into the office and glared
down at Hilary, who at once rose and
faced him.
I'm Mr.. Brousseau," said the visitor.
"Ive heard of yOu," said Hilary.
You'll hear more of me. You as
saulted one of my men yesterday. Do
you think you can come into this coun-
try and knock my men about like that
for doing their duty?"
HE was on the Rosny seigniory, and
cutting my timber"
"He was on the west side of Riviere
Rocheuse," snarled Brousseau. 1.-THE
Riviere Rocheuse has never been sur
veyed. What you call the creek is the
upper part of Riviere Rocheuse. Lee
blanc had permission to cut that tract
for Mr.. Morris because our two COM
panieS worked hand in hand 1t is not
my way to make explanations, Mons
ieur Askew, but take that for what it
is worth"
81 do so, and it is worth nothing"
Hilary answered. ''What is your prop
osition?"
you assaulted my man."
"Never mind your man. He started
it, and he needed it, If l find him on
my limits I'll assault him again. You
haven't come here to complain about
that, Monsieur BrOusseau. What have
you come fOr?"
Brousseau advanced and banged his
fist on the desk. I've come here to
tell you that you're fool. young man. -
he answered. "My word goes in this
part of the country. and you can't come
In here and fight me-"
Your proposal. please" said Hilary
quietly.
Nov you're talking sense. This
amt the United States, where you rich
men can come into territory and grab
it away from the people under their
noses. You'll put Mr.. Morris back as
manager and go home, or else you'll
sell out to me-"
Eyes, it does come to about the same
thing" said Hilary. "Why don't you
ask me to make you free gift of the
concession?
Brousseau scowled savagely at the
sarcasm. He was educated enough TO
be stung by banter, but not quick
enough to retaliate in kind.
"NOw I'll make you my own proposi-
tion," said Hilary. ITS this. You can
either submit your books to my inspec-
ton and make good on that lumber
that Morris stole from me last year,
and keep your men on your own limits.
or you can give up the mill rights after
october first and build your own mill .
BrouSseau turned white with rage.
I'll run you out of this country" he
raved. "Tll freeze you out before the
winters over, Monsieur Askew. You
WaIcn me !!
Maybe" said Hilary. Meanwhile.
think you're keeping the buggy wait
ing, and there is no use in proIOnging
this conversation unless you want to
accept my terms"
Brousseau shook with wrath: he
opened his mouth TO speak, but snorted
instead; he shook his fist furiously
and, turning upon his heel, stamped
out of the office. From his desk Hilary
watched him climb into the buggy and
drive away. His head was bent to-
ward Madeleine RoSny's, and he was
talking emphatically and gesticulatfDg
| freely.
Wars declared said Hilary to him.
self, with relief, as he settled himself
in his chair.
Hilary talked the matter over with