Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-03-05
CHAPTER XII.
Dreams and Dangers.

improved rapidly under Medicines
nursing, aided by her fathers skilled
treatment of the wound. On the Sec
ond day Hilary was conscious, on the
fourth Rosfy announced that the
crisis was past; upon the ninth tha
patient was sitting up 10 bed and de-
handing solid food,
LATE was the happiest man In the
world when, at last admitted to the
bedside, he asked and received abso-
luton for his desertion.
Snow I've got some good news" he
said, when Hilary persisted in asking
about the work. "We've got that
shipment off, and Dupont will have
both vessels back in a few days for
the next. The mills working over
time and the gangs back on the job"
"You paid them two dollars"
mot q cent more" said Lafe tri-
umphantly. "They asked to go back
to work, and you ought to see them
workingi I guess they feel that they
haven't given you square deal, ana
Mr.. Rosny's been having few words
with them, I hear. Anyway. they
know now it's Morris who tipped Off
fhe revenue people, in or3er to make
trouble for you, and the result is this
part of The country has grown too hot
for him. So he's gone away. / hear
he had quarrel with Brousseau over
the share of their plumber, and they
almost came to blows over it. Well.
that's the first of the gang out. And
MACPHERSON has turned out trump,
working overtime and making the
hands work, and it begins to look to
me as IL we'll win out after ALL
This was good news. 1t was now
September, and in little more than
month the snow should extend con-
siderablys their cutting area.
So they discussed their plans, until
Madeleine, coming in, drove Cornell
away. Hilary would not ask him
about his assailants and LATE was
glad to avoid the subject. 1t was
Father Lucien who, took it up later,
when Hilary was convalescent.
He hummed and hawed a good deal,
and finally the truth came out. 1t
would be easy enough to get the po-
lice up from Quebec, but the quar-
tette would have to be laid by the
heels before the advent of winter
mpde further action impossible for
months. OF the four, Pierre had dis.
appeared. Leblanc was said to have
gone into the woods for the winter TO
trap, having apparently abandoned his
pretense of suitcase on the Ste.
Marie limits. Simeon Duval was rum
ming his saloon wide open. and swear
ing that, Hilary having assaulted him,
he had struck with his knife In self
defense, while in half-stunned con-
dition. Little Louis, his brother,
scared out of lis wits, had been to
see the cure with a view to making his
peace. .4t4 M
Hilary had no desire 10 punish
Louis any further, though he meant to
deal with Pierre and Leblanc when
the opportunity arose. He meant to
rid the community of them and
Simeon; but he had a strong mans
reluctance to call upon the law to
avenge physical assault. In the end
the cure went away with the under
standing that Louis was forgiven, and
with no decision taken as to further
action. aqa' 7s
"But what strength What power,
monsieurl" he said admiringly, clench-
ing his hand over the muscles of
Hilary's arm. "Do you know, mon
sieur," he continued thoughtfully, II
have often thought that priest IN
such a district as this needs the mus.
cularity almost as much as the good.
ness All, Monsieur Askew, IL I
were your age, and of your strengta,
what would not dol"
To Hilary his convaIescence was a
foretaste of paradise. Edmond Ilosny
came In only for formal visits now,
twice or three times day; but 1t was
wonderful to see Madeleine, whom he
knew that he loved with all his heart,
about his bedside all day long, and
then about his chair, waiting on him,
anticipating his wishes, until he felt
ashamed to be SO helpless, her pride
gone, her scorn gone, her enmity as
well. When Hilary learned of the
part that she had played in his rescue,
and thanked her gratefully, she could
not meet his eyes.
Then came the first day on which
he was permitted to leave his room.
Leaning on Medicines arm, he had
gone out to feel. the wonder of the
sunshine and the crisp autumn air.
The garden had originally been laid
out. more than century before, II
imitation of the formal gardens OF
France of the period, with terrace
and statuary. Everything was In
ruin; and yet Hilary had the sudden,
inexplicable sense Of having come
home.
MademoiselIe Rosny." he said, 1--WE
are going to be good friends in future,
aren't WEI The goodwill goes with
your kindness, even If it does not go