Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-06-18
CHAPTER xIv-contInued.


stepped away from him. Not until
we are married. Edouard." she said.
Brousseau WINGED now. "It almost
looks as II you didn't love me-" he
muttered In disgust. And In that
sentence the major part Of his charac-
ter might have been epitomized.
Two days after the news reached
Hilary he went into the village for his
mail. Taking It to his Office TO read,
he found among 1t 4 bulky envelope
addressed to him from Ontario In an
unknown writing. He opened IL and
found a letter from Morris.
However evasiye the ex-manager
had been in conversation. he was d.
rect enough In writing. you didn't
treat me well. and ] guess you had
reason to act as you did" he wrote.
"That hound Brousseou swindled me
as he was swindling you, and I'm GO
ing to put you In possession of the
facts and documents. which took
from his desk before leaving. You
needn't have any scruples about using
them, because they refer principally to
you"
Hilary thought enough OF the mat
ter to send a man to Lafe. asking him
to come In Immediately; and that
afternoon the two men went over the
situation together.
Its a clear case" said Hilary.
lies been swindIlng the property
right and left. 1t seems. l allowed for
few thousands. but as make 1t out
1t amounts to nearly eighty thousand"
Lafe whistled aud took up the paper
that Hilary handed him.
This is the contract with Leblanc
to cut on the st. Boniface limits he
said. $50 there's no mistaking who
owned that lumber In the river"
He took up another document. "A
contract with the Cornwall Paper
company to supply twenty thousand
cords OF spruce wood from the st.
Boniface limits he said. "And
here's Morris receipt for seven thou
sand dollars commission on 'gummy
fir' as he would call it-in other words,
pulpwood sold Off the seignIory during
1914, at 10 per cent What do you
make of 1t. Lafe?"
~Water-tight." answered Lafe.
Heres another document thnt
Hilary, handing 1t to him.
Lafe studied 1t. 81 don't get It," he
said
"It's Lnmartine's acknowledgment OF
hfty thousand dollars received from
Rosny. for fifty shares in the North
Empire Development company-one of
Rrousseaus interests. Now look at
this one. Lamartine Is remitting FIVE
thousand dollars less the brokers'
charges for the sale of North Empire
Development stock. as per order. He
doesn't say how much stock. Lamar
tine isn't a fool. But here's Rosny's
acknowledgment Of the ive thousand
dollars less brokers' charges for the
sale Of fifty shares, dated March 8.
1913. Now here's stock market
clipping from newspaper of March
4, showing the stock at 1878.
That's where we've got him. Lafc.
Lamartine's letter proves nothing. but
Morris got hold of Rosnys acknowled-
ment. probably for matchmaking pur-
poses, and 1t shows Brousseau has
swindled Rosny out of s37 900 on that
deal. Probably there were others.
That's where his money went"
"It's pity Morris couldn't run
straight, being as thorough as he is.'
said Lafe.
Hilary looked ut him searcbingly
until he compelled him to return his
gaze.
"You have been very reticent of late
Lafe. What's the trouble?"
81 guess it amt much" said Connell
"Well, you see. it's this way" he went
on reluctantly. "I knew what lies
that blackguard was spreading about
yor And didu't know whether to
tell you or not, Mr.. Askew. 1 knew
Baptlste saw us with that girl In Ste.
Marie. and knew from his face that
he wasn't pleased. And again didn',
know what TO do. Ard | decided TO lie
low It's my way; maybe was wrong
but I'm against butting in. by nature
"Never mind. Lafe," said Hilary
1Tts too late to make any difference
now"
mo. II amt too latel" shouted Lafe
ieaping to his feet. "Mr. Askew, yot
haven't told him-Mr. Rosny-abou
that asbestos mine. have your Yoy
ought to have gone to him and let hin
know You could have saved Nam
zeIIe Rosny from sacrificing herself
this way You can save her. ant
you're going to-"
IL suppose have let things drift
said Hilary somberiy. IL lived In
sort OF hope that the mess would cleal
up. And hadn't the heart to do any
thing at ALL"
There's the girl Marie-won't sh'
say anythIngT'
"She's afraid Of her father. There
no telling how he would take 1t. A
present don't think he knows any