The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-02-27
BY VICTOR ROUSSEAU
illustrations by irwin, Myers

Nanette's voice was tremulous with
happiness. She had never seen Lee
blanc since the day when he aban-
doned her in Ste. Marie. She had
learned that he was working in ST.
Boniface; but when she went there to
lind him she was ordered from the linn
its with threats by Morris However,
Leblanc had sent her a message that
some day soon, If she did not attempt
to find him, he would return to her.
She had lived In that unquenched hope
and now that wonderful day had
dawned, for he was to meet her if she
brought back Marie. He was to take
her to the city, to marry her and give
her ring. Then she, too, would have
her shoes forever.
Marie Dupont locked the door, and
the two girls stole away side by side
In the gray of the morning along the
beach until they reached the place
where Pierre and Leblanc were wait
ing. Pierre caught Marie in his arms
and pressed his lips to hers. 1t was
the first time anyone had kissed her.
She trembled, half afraid, half regret
full, as one who hovers upon the brink
of the irrevocable.
The girls sat in the tiny cabin, while
Pierre and Leblanc ran up the sails.
AS the sloop began to pitch in the
rough waters Marie grew more afraid.
She was conscious that her happiness
had left her.
They had started too late. In the
middle of the channel the little boat
with its primitive centerboard was
caught in the rough currents that beat
about the rocks and shoals at the turn
Of the tide. They drifted steadily
down the north shore. Pierre cursed
as he strove to tack. Leblanc pro-
duced bottle of brandy and began to
drink. Pierre made Marie swallow
some, and when Leblanc relieved him
grew more boisterous in his love-mak-
ing. Nanette was already half intoxi-
Gated. Presently the two men fell to
quarreling, until the realization that
they were below the island and MAX
ing for the open gulf sobered them
1t was no such departure as Marie
had anticipated. She crouched in the
cabin in growing fear, terrified at the
change in Pierre and in Nanette.
Again and again Pierre came to her to
force more brandy on her, and each
time that she refused he grew angrier.
Once she began to cry, and then,
afraid of his gathering rage, pleaded
with him:
pierre, l am afraid. I thought it
was bigger boat. am afraid of your
friend. Take me home. Some other
time 1 will come"
He cursed her and shook her from
him. Then, as she chung to him again,
he struck her across the face. His
was her first blow. as his had been her
first kiss. She sank down in the cabin
and wept heartbrokenly, and now she
was no longer afraid of the waves that
Tapped the boats sides as it tossed and
reared in the surging' waters.
An hour went by. The turning tide
and veering wind enabled the men to
get the craft under control again and
head her up the river Pierre came to
Marie with the brandy bottle. He
thrust it into her face.
"Come, little one, let us kiss and
make up," he shouted.
He pulled her to her feet. Her
world was broken, life seemed help
less, and in her broken pride she stood
humbly before him in the rocking boat, |
her hands clasped.
Pierre, I am sorry" she wept. |
Thou knowest 1 love thee, Pierre |
Forgive me-"
Pierre laughed. 1t was good to see
her thus
Drink" he said, gathering her to |
him with one hand. "Take long pull |
and We'll all be happy together.
Drink !" he commanded, as she hesitat-
ed in disgust at the smell of the
liquor.