The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-04-17


II didn't mean that, Mr.. ASkew. It's
that, God knows; but what | meant by
hell was place where everybOdyS
a law to himself with nothing to re-
strain him. A place where everybody
does what he wants to do. That's my
idea of hell, sir"
The road wound along the shore.
Presently st. BOnifaCe came into
sight. Il think I'll go into the office
COnnell," said Hilary.
II guess you'll have to break II
open, then" said LATE, "Mr. Morris
took the keys with him.
"When'S he coming back|
1--WE were expecting him on the boat
this afternoon"
Hilary considered for a moment. I'll
wait till tomorrow then" he said
Hello, Monsieur Baptiste!"
The little scaler and timekeeper was
hurrying toward the buggy. Mon
sieur!" he gasped. Monsieur Askew,
yesterday I did not know who you
were. Excuse"
That's all right, Baptiste," an
swered Hilary. Just remember that
I'm running things here now, that's
all. And, by the way, that order about
trespassers and visitors is at an end
There's going to be nothing done here
that weIl be afraid of people finding
out. Got it?'
Jean-Marie Baptiste evidently had
got it, for he looked almost terrified
He touched his hat and withdrew will
a sort of shutting bow.
you certainly do have the knack OF
putting things across, Mr.. Askew," sale
Lafe admiringly. Il guess you're ready
to 90 back to the hotel Wait. There!
old Dupont, the captain of the lumber
schooner. l guess you'll want to NEE
him?"
Il suppose So" said Hilary.
Dupont came toward the rig, &C
companied by the timekeeper Thu
captain was a tall old man Of aboU
sixty years, with a gray beard,
wcather-beaten face, and pale gra,
eyes that seemed to burn with som
consuming fire. His look, as he turnet
it on Hilary, was so searching, and s.
inscrutable, and so mOmentarily hos
tile, that Hilary felt uncomfortable
There was a history behind that pene
trating stare-a history and a hate.
But after a moments examinatio
Of Hilary's face a film seemed to com
: over the old mans eyes. Whateve
the reason for his strange gaze, d.
} pOnt was satisfied, He stood by Laf'
and Jean-Baptiste translated.
;. 1.-THE captain says the schooner
full" he said. "He want to start fc
Quebec on tonight's tide"
TELL him to speak to Mr.. Aske'
here" answered LATE. "Say that NJ
: Askew's in charge"
The timekeeper translated back mi
+ the French. A smile flickered upO
Dupont's face. He shook his head an
answered.
f "He says he's got to have Mr.. Mo
ris' orders" said Baptiste.
It LATE turned to Hilary, who took
k the conversation. TASK him If /
e doesn't understand what I am he
for" he suggested.
i" Dupont was impregnable in his P
r sitiOn. He had lumber from both co
d cessions, and Mr.. Morris was in chars
e of both. What orders had been lie
e with reference to his freight?
If LATE was pleased and surprised
n the way Hilary took it. But Hila
K. had learned a good deal during tn
II morning.
"That sounds reasonable" he sa
"Give him Mr. Morris orders, Come
a. whatever they are" And, when t
ly matter had been settled, he adde
id "You were dead right, COnnell. We
in got to settle with the big fellows frs
Or He dropped LATE at the mill a
e. drove slowly homeward across
lie bridge, thinking hard. There wor
probably be no trouble with Lebla
ID after he had shown that he was nj
NJ ter. And LATE would be a pillar
III strength. Hilary had instructive fa
ct in the slow-speaking Yankee.
ID 81 must get little Baptiste on
or side, too" he said aloud, as the bug
no topped the hill beyond the BRIDGE. a