The Pulaskian., 1920-01-23

Well" answered Hilary cheerfully, "we'Il meet that trouble when it comes. Meanwhile, don't spare the teams in breaking up those piles and sending them through the min. I've got to get out q record load next month, and I'm going to credit all the wood that goes through the mill to the St. Bonifaee tract and let Brousseau take any ac- tion 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 man whom he had never seen before. He surmised at once that it 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 q 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 laborer's shack. Her companion leaped out and came briskly to the door.
 He was a man of something more than forty, but active and young-look- ing. He came into the office and glared down at Hilary, who at once rose and faced him.
 'Tm Mir. Brousseau,' said the visitor.
 i've heard of you," said Hilary.
 'sYoull hear more of me. You as- saulted one of my men yesterday. Do you think you can come into this coun- try and knock my men about like that for doing their duty?'
 ''He was on the Rosny seigniory, and cutting my timber"
 He was on the west side of Riviere Rocheuse," snarled Brousseau. "The Riviere Rocheuse has never been sur veyed., What you call the creek is the upper part of Riviere Rocheuse. Le- blanc had permission to cut that tract for MT. Morris because our two com panies worked hand in hand. It is not my way to make explanations, Mons ieur Askew, but take that for what it is worth'
 '.I do so, and it is worth nothing" Hilary answered. 'What is your prop osition?"
 sYou assaulted my man.
 'Never mind your man. He started it, and he needed it. If find him on my limits I'll assault him again. You kox @o Iafv that, Monsieur Brousseau. What have you come for?"
 Brousseau advanced and banged his fist on the desk. "Tve come here to 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 Hilary quietly.
 Now you're talking sense. This ain't the United States, where you rich men can come into territory and grab it away from the people under their hoses. You'll put Mir. Morris back as manager and go home, or else you'll sell out to me"
 ''Yes, it does come to about the same thing" said Hilary. "Why don't you ask me to make you a free gift of the eoncession?"
 Brousseau scowled savagely at the sarcasm. He was educated enough to be stung by banter, but not quick enough to retaliate in kind.
 'Now I'll make you my own proposi- tion," said Hilary. "It's this. You can either submit your books to my inspec- tion and make good on that lumber that Morris stole from me last year, and keep your men on your own limits, or you can give up the mill rights after October first and build your own mill."
 Brousseau turned white with rage.
 'Tll run you out of this country" he raved. "I'll freeze you out before the winters over, Monsieur Askew. You watch me !"
 Maybe" said Hilary. Meanwhile, I think you're keeping the buggy wait ing, and there is no use in prolonging this conversation unless you want to accept my terms"
 Brousseau shook with wrath; he opened his mouth to speak, but snorted instead; he shook his fist furiously and, turning upon his heel, stamped out of the office. From his desk Hilary watched him climb into the buggy and drive away. His head was bent to- ward Madeleine Rosny's, and he was talking emphatically and gesticulating freely.
 Wars declared" said Hilary to him. self, with relief, as he settled himself in his chair.
 Hilary talked the matter over with Lafe later in the day. "If we can get a good shipment out before the Gulf closes" he said, i've can carry on till spring. But of course we can't haul