The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-10-20

II guess II amt much" said Cornell.
-Well. you see. It's this way" he went
on reluctantly. II knew what lies
that BLACKBOARD was spreading about
you. And didn't know whether to
tell you or not, Mr.. Askew. / knew
Baptiste saw US with that girl In Ste.
Marie, and knew from his face that
ne wasn't pleased. And again ! didn't
know what to do. And decided to lie
low. It's my way maybe was wrong,
but I'm against butting In. by nature"
-Never mind. Lafe." said Hilary.
Its too late to make any difference
now"
~No, II amt too latel" shouted Lafe,
leaping to his feet. "Mr. Askew, you
haven't told him-Mr. Rosny-about
that asbestos mine. have your You
ought to have gone to him and let him
know. You could have sayed Nam
xelle Rosny from sacrificing herself
this way. You can save her. and
you're going to-"
Il suppose have let things drift"
said Hilary somberly. 'T lived in
sort Of hope that the mess would clear
up. And hadn't the heart to do any
thing at ALL"
There's the girl Marle-won't she
say anythingr
shes afraid OF her father. There's
no telling how he would take 1t. At
present don't think he knows any
thing"
II wouldn't let that stand In my
way" said LATE emphatically
II don't think you'd really use that
means Of clearing yourself, II you were
I. Lafe. And. besides that, she has
my promise TO say nothing, and that
settles the matter. No. LATE, you're
talking nonsense
maybe am" said Lafe stubbornly.
But amt going to see your happi-
ness wrecked because two women
haven't the sense and the heart TO
clear you. And I'm going to do It."
mo. you're not, Lafe." said Hilary
bluntly.
-Why notf Good Lord. why notr
Because I'm leaving st. Boniface,"
answered Hilary.
~Hr. Askew"
SIN going" repeated Hilary, with
swift gesture Of hopelessness. you'll
call me gutter. suppose"
II certainly should" answered Lafe
coolly. The same as you did me-"
Maybe. But I came UP here to
play a certain game. I came to put
the seigniory lumber business on its
legs. And I've done 1t. stayed to
light Brousseau after he nearly got me
down. and I've beaten him. I've won
that game on every point. I'm going
10 make Brousseau refund his steal
ings, and I'm going to leave you here
In charge for the present. to wind up.
1 shall 60 to Quebec to start proceed
ings and try 10 find purchaser Your
contract will hold as long as you want
IL to. And I'm not coming back. I've
done what came for, haven't ~ he
ended defantly.
That's the way all cutters talk"
said LATE.
Hilary's nerves were gone. of course.
LAfe knew that the last lap of the
race was the grueling one. Hilary need
ed help. that was all. Lafe grew
crafty with his idea.
well. you're boss of course" he
said reluctantly. IF you've made up
your mind. II Amt for me to interfere.
When are you leaving, sir?"
Il shall 60 outwith Dupont when he
takes his last load.- answered Hilary.
"That'll be Eriday. We can't have
the logs through the pjll before then.
Dupont doesn't imows2etY
'No."
Lafs reflected. The weather had
changed suddenly during the preceding
night. Already the shores OF the st.
Lawrence were thick with grinding
foes. The middle passage was clear,
but IN few Gays navigation would be
impossible; dog team would have to
be procured and trained to run to-
eether. Already II was difficult jour
ney with horse-sleigh between the
camp and the mill. II the weather
held. Hilary could be held until he.
LATE. had accomplished his purpose.
Hilary put on his hat and overcoat.
picked MP his snowshoee and went to-
ward the stables. IN B few minutes
the horse had been barnessed to the
sleigh and onbd beathing great
clouds oDsmote into the frosty air.
II started. and from the Office door
way Lafe vstched the man whom he
loved best n the world of men driving
away.
He waAed till the Aleigh had disap-
pesfed b@on9 the 6ees behind the
bridge He allowed ten minutes more,
TO make sure that Hilary would not
change his intentions and return. Then
he coolly opened Hilary's desk with a
duplicate key that had been made
after the burglary and took out the en-
velope that contained the papers from
Morria He removed these and thrust
them into his pocket In the empty
envelope he placed some discarded let
tiers from the waste-basket. Then he
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