Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-01-09

moss out of the interstices between the
logs with forked stick. When he
turned the last of 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 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.
It took about an hour for the embel-
lished story to filter through to the
mill. Before work was knocked off that
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 Lafe. "When do you
suppose he's going to declare himself?"
"Soon," said Lafe. you've seen to
that, Mr.. Askew."
"Well," answered Hilary cheerfully,
'we'l meet that trouble when it comes.
Moopu,hiIa dop,+ croro &bo 4o.,,,. =,
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 to 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 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 a
| glimpse Of Madeleine's averted, scorn.
full face as she sat waiting, as if Hilary
was beneath her pride, as if to stoI
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 glaret
down at Hilary, who at once rose ant
faced him.
I'm Mr.. Brousseau," said the visitor
'fTve heard Of you," said Hilary.
you'll hear more of me. You as
saulted one of my men yesterday. d.
you think you can come into this coun
try and knock my men about like tina
for doing their duty?"
"He was on the Rosny seigniory, an,
cutting my timber"
"He was on the west side Of River
q Rocheuse," snarled Brousseau. 9Th
Riviere Rocheuse has never been SUI
veyed. What you call the creek is tn
upper part of Riviere Rocheuse. Ii
blanc had permission to cut that trac
for Mr.. Morris because our two com
panies worked hand in hand. 1t is no
my way to make explanations, Mons
leur Askew, but take that for what /
Is worth"
81 do so, and it is worth nothing,
: Hilary answered. "What is your proI
osition?"
. "You assaulted my man."
"Never mind your man. He starte
: 1t, and he needed it. If / find him O
my limits I'll assault him again. Yo
haven't come here to complain abou
that, Monsieur Brousseau. What hav
you come for"
Brousseau advanced and banged hi
fist on the desk. 'Ive come here t
tell you that you're fool, young man,
he answered. my word goes in thi
: part of the country, and you can't com
In here and fight me-"
e "Your proposal, please" said Hilar
p quietly.
"Now you're talking sense. TIL
0 amt the United States, where you ric
: men can come into territory and gra
q it away from the people under the
= noses. You'll put Mr.. Morris back {
manager and go home, or else you
sell out to me-"
4 Eyes, it does come to about the san
e thing" said Hilary. "Why don't ye
t ask me to make you a free gift of IL
concessiOnw
Brousseau scowled savagely at IL
sarcasm. He was educated enough
be stung by banter, but not quit
enough to retaliate in kind.
"Now I'll make you my own propos
1 tion," said Hilary. 'Tt's this. You CT
either submit your books to my inspe
ton and make good on that lumb
that Morris stole from me last yes
n and keep your men on your own limit
or you can give up the mill rights aft
October first and build your own mill
Brousseau turned white with rage
"Iu run you out of this country"
raved. 'T'll freeze you out before t
winters over, Monsieur Askew. Y,
watch mel"
Maybe" said Hilary. "Meanwhi
I think you're keeping the buggy wa
ing, and there is no use in prolongi
this conversation unless you want
4 accept my terms"
Brousseau shook with wrath:
! opened his mouth to speak, but snort
instead; he shook his fist furious
n and, turning upon his heel, stamp
out of the Office. From his desk Hila
2 watched him climb into the buggy a
drive away. His head was bent
ward Madeleine Rosny's, and he W
OF talking emphatically and gesticulati
~ freely.
WARS declared" said Hilary to hi
self, with relief, as he settled hims
In his chair.
ON Hilary talked the matter over W
"a Lafe later in the day. eff we can
h. a good shipment out before the G.
Closes" he said, 1--WE can carry on
,r spring. But of course we can't hi
- lumber out of the woods until ther
,rr several feet of snow on the ground
- "And that won't be till navigatio