The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-06-10
Xii.
Marie Awakes.

ity, and Hilary realized the need OF
concentrating all his thoughts upon his
work. Dupont had made three more
voyages, and Baptiste. who kept out
of sight. had given complete satisfac-
tion. The lumber had brought unex-
pectedly good prices, and there was
now a probability that before naviga-
ton closed Hilary would be In a posi-
ton to carry on till spring. When the
winter cutting began, and there was
more leisure. Hilary meant to fight out
TIE issue with Rosny. The old man
was still partly paralyzed, and he had
made no reference Of any kind to what
had occurred. but his mind was quite
clear, and, Madeleine thought, his
memory.
Toward the middle OF the month the
newly discovered spruce supply had
ell been numbered. Success seemed
now almost assured. Dupont was get
ting ready 90 make his last voyage.
The snow was not yet deep enough
for the teams TO be sent into the
woods, and Hilary turned his thoughts
once more to the island. more from
eagerness TO explore that part OF his
domain than from any thought of cut
ting there that winter.
Hilary was In his Office n day
when there came a tap at the door,
and, TO his establishment. In walked
Louis Duval.
The little liquor-selier approached
him IN an ingratiatlng anner "Mon-
eieur Askew." he said, Il am very
sorry for that night. j have been
away. Now I come back, and Mon
sieur Tessier tells me that you for
give. Now / come to thank you."
"rhats all right, Louis" said
Hilary. "You are forgiven. as long as
you keep out OF that trade Of yours.
It's a bad business when it's ruo In
the Ste. Marie way"
Louis Duvai shifted contemptuous-
ly. "Tm out" he announced. "And
Simeon's ont. And he say he hope
you don't bear iIl-feeling. Them fell
lows never pay us a cent. An | got
my head busted open too" he added
re6ectiyely.
Hilary sprsng TO his feet and took
the little man by The arms. do You
mean to tell me Brousseau offered
you money to open q saloon In st. Boni-
facet" he asked.
"Sure he did. He said If I open he
set me up, an he pay me two hundred
dollars more II those fellows kill you."
~Good Lord Is that all I'm worthT"
asked Hilary. ngse8
"0h Il amt that" answered Louis.
Il guess you're worth more than that
much. But Pierre an Leblanc, they
crazy to kill you. because you thrash
Pierre an you take away Leblanc's
business an his family starve. May
b he pay them too; maybe they pay
him to let them. I dom know. But
Pierre an Leblanc swear they get you
Jet. An Simeon's out of the game.
An I want to tell you something. Mon
sicv1 Askew. II you won bust my head
pvn again"
"Your heads quite safe. Louis.
what is it7
"That damn Brousseau promise me
two hundred for the other job an only
pay me fifty."
-What other job7~
For to get them fellows to saw
yoHr boom, monsieur"
$50 1t was sawed. was 1T" demand
ID Hilary furiously.
~fes, monsieur. Iget three fellows
tr1m the south shore. an I fell into
the water an got rheumatic. an pay
sen dollars for medicines. an that
damn B~rousseau--r
Tos.s, VIII you sign your name to
thatr'
20 sure, II you get them fellows
an Brousseau first" replied the little
raan. edging toward the door. Finding
that he was not pursued. ne halted.
Monsieur Askew. ] gone back to my
fishing job" he said
Hilary thought this was a character
tstic occupation for Louis I o take up,
since iti afforded him several months
u idleness before the fishing season
cpened. eFrSeva 81
You have q boatf" he asked. re-
r~1embering his plan to revisit the Is
land. kW*
20 sure" said Louis. ~New sails
~ rudder--af new except the boat.
A ver' fine boat. monsieur" NFx
~Could you take Mr.. Connell and
myself 9 to the island and back
kDmorrowT" &4f xMNf
Il think so. monsieur, If the sea
amt running TOO high
BE ready with pour boat at one"
sAid Hilary.
It was practically his last chance
ror six months of visiting the island.
" sent . messenger with q note To
kefe a. the camp, asking him TO be
n 81. Boniface e. noon. Then he
ee5ote his daily letter to Madeleine.
~ mentioned Ills protected journey,
nut nothin9 else. except hts love and
~ hoses. which were weiHhty enough.
~ ~ t1tered the store to mall Il
n tbe 1et<er~bcx there he thought the
lee<svs ses>nt akeok the place looksd