The Dolores star., 1920-07-02

however. by the time they reached the
''ttie open space they satisfied them
selves that he was not following them.
We've passed our landing place."
said Hilary.
Looking out across the gray waters
ne perceived. close at hand, and ap-
parently beached on the shore, the
white sail Of sloop. It seemed to be
the vessel which they had seen earlier
that afternoon, tacking toward the
south shore.
The men looked at each other, and
the same unspoken question was in
the eyes Of each. Then Lafe grabbed
Hilary by the shoulders.
See herel" he said. 1--WE ain't 60
Ing to stay and fight Brousseau's gang
Just for the fun of 1t. I guess It's
Pierre and Leblanc in that boat all
right. and that they're on their way
home. We beat 1t for ours as hard as
we can go-see7 You amt fit to do
no more fighting anyway" he pleaded.
And won't, no matter what happens
that's straight to you. I'll fight any
man with fists II got to, but I'm
darned If I'll stand up against that
scum with camp knives"
You're quite right, Lafe," answered
Hilary. Come. let's get to the boat us
quick as we can."
But as they started there rang out a
woman's cry. Again came the scream !;
and In an instant, forgetful Of their
resolution hau 4
back along the trail
Not many steps, and, breaking
through the trees. they saw Marie Du-
pont struggling in Pierre's arms. while
Leblanc and Nanette stood near them,
laughing.
Lafe leaped at Pierre, and his bony
fist caught the outlaw beneath the
chin. Pierre went down in a heap.
Hilary made for Leblanc, whose e1.
preston would, under other circum.
stances. have been comical In its sur.
prise.
He turned upon the girl and
knocked her down savagely. Then,
without another glance at Hilary, he
MADE for the sloop.
Leaving Pierre where he had fallen,
Lafe Joined In the pursuit. But Le-
blanc had several yards start, and his
experience of Hilary's prowess lent
wings to his feet. He plunged into the
water and. by miracle of strength,
swung the sloop clear of the sand on
which she had been beached. AS the
vessel was carried clear by the swift
flowing tide the ex-jobber scrambled
aboard. dripping, and pushed off with
the oar. Lafe and Hilary stood, baf-
fled. upon the brink of the water.
while Leblanc. at an ever increasing
distance. began to put up the sail,
shouting back defiant curses mean.
while.
They heard a sound of feet upon
the shlngle behind them. and turned
quickly. 1t was Pierre, but he was
boiling for the woods. They ran at
him. but he had gained the shelter of
the trees. and 1t was growing too dark
to follow. They stopped and looked
back. Leblanc was now quite a dis
tance from the island, and making for
the north shore upon the incoming
tide.
Lets CO." said Hilary, and he took
Marie gently by the arm. She went
with him obediently, and Lafe fol-
lowed with Nanette, whose lip was
bloody from Leblanc's blow.
The tide was running fairly for St.
Boniface. 1t was almost dark now
but the wind had died away and the
stars were brilliant. Hilary, taking
off his overcoat. wrapped it about
Marie. The girls bewilderment had
yielded to- abject gratitude. She
raised Hilary's hand to her lips and
pressed it. Beside her Nanette
wrapped in Lafe's waterproof. was
sobbing wildly and wiping her
wounded lip. The words that passed
were drowned in the sound of the lap.
ping waves before they reached the
ears of Louis, at the tiller.
"Now, what happened?" asked Hill
ary of Marie. Tell me, and well
clap those rufIians into Jail, assure
you. How did they get you into that
boat?"
Marie sobbed out her explanation
but when Hilary gathered. with diff
Guilty from the broken words. STAN
mered in French, that she had gone
aboard with Pierre to marry him in
Quebec. he could hardly believe his
| ears.
"And your father knows nothing Of
thIs?" he inquired. when she had
ended.
"He knows nothing. monsieur. All
monsieur. you saved me before, and
Il was ungrateful. Promise me
swear to me, that he shall never
know!"
"And you. Nanette." continued Hi.
ary. addressing the weeping girl
"what have you to say. who lured her
here, knowing thls?"
II did not know. monsieur" cried
Nanette. "Pierre told me that II
bring her he would get me back my
sweetheart"
/ SSY cbvopo oE,