The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-07-21

turned the last o. the Ste. Marie men
was disappearing out OF the clearing
down the road. He waited long enough
for them to reach the fork. before re-
entering the buggy.
He was thoughtful on the drive
homeward. He knew that It was only
the unexpected nature Of his action
which had cleared the concession. That
had been a paramount duty; at any
cost he must preserve the integrity of
his land. But, given Brousseau's lead
ership and active hostility. they could
put up fight which would render him
impotent. Physical force could bring
him nowhere In the end.
II took about an hour for the cmbel-
lished story to filter through TO the
mill Before work was knocked Off thar
afternoon Hilary became conscious of
a new Difference In his hands manner,
of gaping looks that followed him when
he went from Office to mill, or back.
For the first time st. Boniface began
to believe that the Morris regime had
really passed.
We've still got Brousseau. though"
said Hilary to LATE. "When do you
suppose he's going to declare himselff'
soon" said Lafe. You've seen TO
that, Mr.. Askew."
"Well,' answered Hilary cheerfully,
"well meet that trouble when 1t comes.
Meanwhile, don't spare the teams In
breaking up those piles and sending
them through the mill. I've got to get
out a record load next month. and I'm
going 10 credit all the wood that goes
through the mill to the st. Boniface
tract and let Brousseau take any ac-
ton he likes about it,"
Brousseau was not long in declaring
war. On the following afternoon, as he
sat In his Office. Hilary, looking through
the window, saw Madeleine Rosny
driving a rig along the road toward the
mill. Beside her sat a man whom he
had never seen before. He surmised
at once that ii was Brousseau, but he
hardly expected that the girl was
bringing him to the office.
Such proved TO be the case. The rig
stopped at the door and Hilary had G
glimpse of Madeleine's averted, scorn
full face as she,sat waiting, as If Hilary
was beneath her pride, as If to stop
there was no more>than to stop at any
laborers shack. Her companion leaped
ont and came brislSly to the door.
He was man of something more
than forty, but active and young-look
ing. He came into the office and glaret
down at Hilary, who at once rose ant
faced him.
I'm Mr.. Brousseau," said the visitor
"I've heard of you," said Hilary.
You'll hear more of me. You as
saulted one of my men yesterday. Dc
you think you can come into this coun
try and knock my men about like that
for doing their duty?"
Gle was on the Rosny seigniory, and
cutting nay timber"
"He was on the west side of Riviert
Rocheuse,' snarled Brousseau. "'Ths
Riviere Rocheuse has never been sur
veyed. What you call the creek is the
upper part of Riviere Rocheuse. lie
blanc had permission to cut that tract
for Mr.. Morris because our two com
panies worked hand i'm hand. It is no.
my way TO make explanations, Mons
ieur Askew, but take that for what T.
is worth"
II do so. and it is worth nothing
Hilary answered. 'What is your prop
ositionT'
"You assaulted my man."
"Never mind your man. He started
n. and he needed ii. If find him or
nv limits I'll assault him again. Yor
haven't come here to complain abou
that, Monsieur Brousseau. What have
yolscome for?"
Brousseau advanced and banged hi
fist on the desk. I've come here Il
tell you that you're fool, young man,
he answered. my word goes in this
part of the country, and you can't come
in here and fight me-"
Your proposal, please" said Hilar,
quietly.
snow you're talking sense. Thi,
amt the United States, where you rich
men can come into territory and graf
1t away from the people under then
noses. You'll put Mr.. Morris back a,
manager and go home, or else you'll
sell out to me-"
Yes, 1t does come to about the same
thing" said Hilary. "Why don't yot
ask me to make you free gift of thu
concessionf"
Brousseau scowled savagely at the
sarcasm. He was educated enough t.
49,