The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-07-28
CHAPTER v.
Marie Dupont.

Matte buRoUb.
LATE was as respondent as Hilary
over Leblanc's treachery. Hilary
had only one cause for satisfaction in
the situation, and that was a purely
personal one. He was glad that Le-
blanc's cancellation of the contract had
left the Chateau grounds immune, and
so had neutralized Brousseau's first
move In the campaign.
What CALLED him was the reflection
that in this fight which Brousseau had
thrust upon him he was fighting
Madeleine too. He shrank from the
thought of Madeleine Rosny as Brous-
seau's wife; he tried TO think of her
as sacrificing herself for her fathers
sake. But this picture would not hold
together; she was most evidently ac-
quainted with Brousseau's designs, and
approved of them.
On the day after the interview with
Leblanc a new development occurred.
Lafe, who had been grumbliug all day.
came into the Office and flung down
his hat in utter detection.
Something new?" asked Hilary.
There's talk of a strike" said Lafe
In disgust. "Brousseau has had his
men at work among 'em, and they're
saying that you're keeping wages
down, and that Brousseau would give
two dollars day il you would"
"He wants to get into my capital,
eh?"
Its just one way of hitting us. l
tell you, Mr.. Askew, it's a tough job
we've taken on. You know these men
amt got sense. Simeon Duval has
been handing out free drinks in that
shebeen of his at Ste. Marie, and tell
ing them what hard master you are.
and they're just swallowing it,"
"We'll face that trouble when 1t de-
velops," answered Hilary.
But Hilary did some hard thinking,
and It settled about Dupont. If Brous.
seau could buy out Dupont he was
finished; he could never get a lumber
schooner that year, and he must get
out some shipments before navigation
closed. He decided to appeal to Fa-
Their Lucien to help him out In this
difficulty.
But Father Lucien forestalled him
with a visit that evening. He was
agreeably surprised by the warmth of
his welcome, heard Hilary attentively.
and at once volunteered to assist him
But there will be no trouble, mon.
sieur." he said. Captain Dupont is
independent, and he does not love the
Ste. Marie people.
Father Lucien," said Hilary. IL
was going TO have q talk with you
later about certain things that are OBJ
iectionable--the llqour trade, for In
stance"
Father Lucien stopped and thumped
his stick upon the chipstrewn sand.
'Now that is exactly what was in
my mind when I started out 70 see
you today, Monsieur Askew." he an
swered. They are bad people over Mt
Ste. Marie, and they are making ST.
Boniface as bad as they are. They
laugh at me when speak to them. 1t
is bad; but It cannot go on. Monsieur
Askew. as I said to you the day see
you, 'ope we shall be frien's. Now
I know we shall be. and, please God.
we shall at least keep the brandy out
Of ST. Boniface."
They stopped and shook hands upon
their compact, and then went on to
gether. past the struggling outskirts
of the village. beyond the wharf, until
they reached Dupont's cottage.
The cure tapped at the door. With
In Hilary could hear the murmur Of
voices, which suddenly ceased. Then
there came the splutter of a match.
and the flame Of lamp. Hilary saw
a girls figure In silhouette against the
shade.
1t was that OF Marie Dupont, the
captains daughter. and Hilary remem-
bered that there was some mystery
about her; he had seen her going her
solitarysway about the village. ignored
by all and ignoring all.
AT the same time he saw another
figure sinking away into the shadows
of the pines. Father Lucien saw II
too. and darted forward and caught II
by the arm. and drew II toward the
beach.
II was girl of about four and
twenty, with foolish. weak face and
gaudy finery.
"Nanette Bonnat," said the cure
very sternly, how often have ! for
hidden thee to come hereT'
let me gof" cried the girl, whim-
pering and struggling.
The door opened and Marie Dupont
stood on the threshold The flicker