Cheyenne record., 1920-07-15

and get the property for q song.
That's how it stands. Here we turn
off into Mr.. Leblanc's lease"
"Who's her
"Your chief jobber," said Lafe.
The buggy turned off through the
forest along a 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
emily they reached clearing. in which
number of frame shacks were under
construction. SuperintendIng the work
was tall, rather fair man Of about
forty years, with cast In one eye;
and with him was d. short, thickset
man Of great muscular power. The
two looked up as the buggy ap-
preached, and the short man scowled.
''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 1t.
"Mr. Leblanc is clearing a camp for
his next years lease" continued Lafe.
"But the lease is not signedY" asked
Hilary.
ut will be signed In October" an
swered Leblanc. II have arrange
with Monsieur Morris"
you'll make your arrangements
with me In future" said Hilary. "If
the price is satisfactory, you can have
this tract"
Leblanc stared at him insolently
with his good eye, the other fixing
tree on Hilary's right. II work for
Mr.. Morris. 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. understand" he answered,
and, turning without another word,
walked back toward the lumbermen,
accompanied by the short man. who
was chuckling maliciously at Hilary's
discontinue. .....~
Hilary flushed. but Lafe laid his
hand on his wrist, closing the fingers
about 1t with visellke grip.
STEADY, Mr.. Askew. Don't let those
fellows get you riled," he said. III
you're coming into this game 1t means
steady work. You've got to hold bnck
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 something-or-other.
Black Pierre. he's called. He's Brous-
seau's chief crook. He's a trouble
some man, Mr.. Hilary. He'll bear
watching"
"We'n fire him first thing" said Hill
ary.
"Why. he amt hired by u.s." an.
swered Lafe.
"Then what in thunder is he doing
on my concession. talking to my chief
jobber2"
swell, there amt no law against
it." said Lafe, with humorous look
on his face. II guess them two are
pretty thick together.
"You see. Mr.. Askew, it's this way"
he went on. IF you're going to clear
up this mess, 1t amt a bit Of good
going for the little fellows They're
the tail that Brousseau wags. Once
you get Brousseau's hand out of your
pie. the others follow HIN. When
Pierre sees there amt no more pick.
ings out of the st. Boniface land he'll
so back to the smuggling business"
"Brandy-smuggling?"
"Why. he's the bad man Of Ste Ma
rie. He runs cargoes Of gin and brandy
ashore from the south coast, and
there's never been a 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!'
They had reached the main road
again; they went on a little way and
then turned westward over a rough
track through burned-over district
densely covered with fireweed and
white starved asters. Soon another
rig appeared before them. topping the
hill. Lafe pulled In rs 1t 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 Mr.. Askew's nephew"
The cure looked Hilary over, then
he leaned forward and extended his
hand, which Hilary grasped.
II am please to meet you, Mr.. As
kew" he said. II 'ope we shall be-
come friens. like Mr.. Lafe here, an not
quarrel so much"
"Ah, Father Lucy. you make me tired
sometimes" said Lafe. what in thun-
der's the use Of praying for rain when
the forests are burning. instead of