The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-04-17

E2Sg29y2EE?yEsSySE2z 81 81 ~ ~ 3
II didn't mean that, Mr. Askew. It's
that, God knows; but what meant by
he'll was place where everybody's
a law to himself with nothing to re-
strain him. A place where everybody
does what he wants to do. That's my
idea Of hell, sir"
The road wound along the shore.
Presently St. Boniface came into
sight 81 think III go into the office,
COnnell," said Hilary.
81 guess you'll have to break it
open, then" said LATE. "Mr. Norris
took the keys with him."
"When's he coming back"
"We were expecting him on the boat
this afternoon"
Hilary considered for moment. I'll
wait till tomorrow then" he said
Hello, Monsieur Baptiste"
The little scaIer and timekeeper was
hurrying toward the buggy. "Mon-
sieur" he gasped Monsieur Askew,
yesterday | did not know who you
were, EXcuser'
THAT'S all right. Baptiste," an
swered Hilary. Just remember that
I'm running things here now, that's
all. And by the way, that order about
treSpaSsers and visitors is at an end.
There's going to be nothing done here
that Wen be afraid Of people finding
out. Cot it,"
Jean-Marie Baptiste evidently had
got it, for he looked almost terrified.
He touched his hat and withdrew with
q sort Of shutting bow.
you certainly do have the knack of
putting things across, Mr.. Askew," said
Late admiringly. 81 guess you're ready
to go back to the hotel. Wait. There's
old Dupont, the captain of the lumber
schooner. I guess you'll want to meet
him."
Il suppose so" said Hilary.
Dupont came toward the rig, ac-
companied by the timekeeper The
captain was tall old man Of about
sixty years, with gray beard, a
weather-beaten face, and pale gray
eyes that seemed to burn with some
consuming fire. His look, as he turned
it on Hilary, was so searching, and so
inscrutable, and so m0mentarily hos
tile. that Hilary felt uncomfortable.
There was a history behind that pene-
trating stare-a history and hate.
But after a moments examination
of Hilary's face a film seemed to come
over the old mans eyes. Whatever
the reason for his strange gaze, Du-
pont was satisfied. He stood by LATE,
and Jean-Baptiste translated.
'The captain says the schoOner's
| full" he said. "He want to start for
Quebec on tOnight's tide"
"Tell him to speak to Mr.. Askew
here" answered LATE. "Say that MIR.
ASKeW'S Ill charge.
The timekeeper translated back into
the French. A smile flickered upon
Dupont's face He shook his head and
answered.
HE says he's got to have Mr.. Nor
ris ORDERS" said Baptiste.
LATE turned to Hilary, who took up
the conversation. "Ask him if he
doesn't understand what am here
for" he suggested.
Dupont was impregnable in his pc
sitiOn. He had lumber from both con
cessions, and Mr.. Norris was in charge
of both. What orders had been left
} with reference to his freight
LATE was pleased and surprised al
the way Hilary took it. But Hilary
had learned a good deal during thai
morning.
"That sounds reasonable" he said
"Givr him Mr.. Morris orders, COnnell
whatever they are" And, when thu
matter had been settled, he added
''You were dead right, Cornell. We've
got to settle with the big fellows first.
He dropped LATE at the mill ant
drove slowly homeward across tn,
bridge, thinking hard, There woulC
probably be no trouble with Leblan
after he had shown that he was mas
ter. And LATE would be pillar O
strength. Hilary had instructive faitl
in the slow-speaking Yankee.
81 must get little Baptiste on on
side, too" he said aloud, as the bugg,
topped the hill beyond the bridge; ant