The Dolores star., 1920-06-11

game was 10 freeze out NOuT uncle
and get the property for song.
That's how # stands. Here we turn
or into Mr. Leblanc's lease"
"WhO's hep
Your chief tohber." said Lafe.
The buggy turned Off through the
forest along new road, Here was
some splendid timber, black and white
spruce and tall white pine. The sound
OF axes began TO be audible. and pres
entity they reached a clearing. in which
q number OF frame shacks were under
construction, experimenting the work
was q tall, rather fair man Of about
forty years with a cast in one eve
aud with him was short thfckset
man Of great muscular power. The
two looked up as the buggy ap-
preached and the short man scowIed.
This IS Mr.. Leblanc" said Lafe.
"Mr Leblanc, this is Mr.. Askew. the
owner"
Leblanc put out his hand Imply, but
Hilary, nettled by his manner, did not
take it.
Mr.. Leblanc is clearing a camp for
his next years lease" continued Lafe.
'But the lease is not signed7" asked
Hilary.
at viii be signed in October" an
swered Leblanc. 'I have arrange
with Monsieur Morris"
'Youn make your arrangements
with me in future" said Hilary. "If
the price is satisfactory. you can have
this tract"
Leblanc stared at him insolentiy
with his good eye, the other fixing a
tree On HIlary's right. ''I work for
Mr.. Morris. l make arrange with him"
he answered
"See here, Leblanc. you didn't catch
who this gentleman is" said Lafe.
This is Mr.. Askew, the nephew of
the late Mr.. Askew. He has come into
the property. He's boss. You get me,
don't you, Leblanc?"
Leblanc shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, yes I understand" he answered,
and turning without another word,
walked back toward the lumbermen.
accompanied by the short man, who
was chuckling malicIously at ullary's
discontinue
Hilary flushed, but Lafe laid his
hand on his wrist, closing the fingers
about it with a viselike grip.
STEADY. Mr.. Askew Don't let those
fellows get you riled," he said. 'If
you're coming into this game it means
steady work. You've got TO hold back
and hold back, until you've got things
ready"
They re-entered the buggy and, turn
ing the horse. drove back.
Presently Hilary cooled down. "Who
was the little MANI" he asked.
That's Pierre somethiug-or-other.
Black Pierre, he's called. He's Brous-
seau's chief crook. He's q trouble
some man, NJ. Hilary. He'll bear
watching"
wen fire him first thing" said Hill
ary.
why, he amt hired by us" an
swered Lafe.
"Then what in thunder is he doing
on my concession, talking to my chief
jObber?"
"Well, there amt no law against
IT, said Lafe, with q humorous look
on his face, 81 guess them two are
pretty thick together.
"YOu see. Mr.. Askew. its this wav."
lie went on. 'If you're going TO clear
up this mess, 1t amt 81 bit Of good
going for the little fellows THEY'RE
the tail that BrOusseau ways. Once
you get BrOusseau's hand out Of your
pie, the others follow him. When
Pierre sees there amt no more pick
ngs out Of the ST. Boniface land he'll
20 back 10 the smuggling business"
"BranGy-smugglingT"
why, he's the bad man Of Ste. Mn
rie. He runs cargOes of gin and brandy
ashore from the south coast. and
there's never been 4 revenue officer in
this district within human memory. nor
would one dare to show his face here.
Say, I'll take you through Ste. Marie
on the way back to the mill 20
They had reached the main road |
again; they went on a little way and |
then turned westward over n rough /
track through burned-over district |
densety covered with freweed and |
white starved asters. Soon another
rig appeared before them. topping the
hill Lafe pulled in as IT approached.
'Bonjour, Father Lucy" he called
to the elderly priest, who sat inside
This gentleman is Mr.. Askew, the new
owner Of the Rosny concession, He's
old MIR Askew's nephew"
The cure looked Hilary over, then
ne leaned forward and extended his
hand, which Hilary grasped.
u am please to meet you, Mr.. Az
Kew he said. 81 'ope we shall he.
come frlens. like Mr.. Lafe here, an not
quarrel so much"
"Ah, Father Lucy. you make me tired
sometimes, said Lafe. What in thun-
ners the use Of praying for rain when
tne forests are burning, instead of