The Connecticut labor press., 1920-04-03
CHAPTER XVlI-Continued

writing. A letter was an important event in the cures day. He put on his | spectacles, sat down, opened the en. 1 velope, and began to read It was from the priest at St. Joseph | and stated that Nanette Bonnat had given him the full story of the adven. lures upon the island, together with an account of the activities of Pierre | and Simeon Duval.
 Bad as Father Lucien had known conditions at Ste. Marie to be, he had never guessed at the revelations which Nanette had made to his confrere. His indignation spilled over, and he paced his study in agitation for sev- eral minutes. At last, struck with an inspiration, he took up his singlestick, put on his cap, fur coat, and snow shoes, and started off toward Ste. Marie.
 It was about an hour later when the few loafers in Simeon's saloon looked up to see the cure standing in the doorway. Since the Iumbermen had gone into camp for the winter the glories of the dance hall had faded and disappeared, but Simeon still did
 
 the cure and came waddIing forward. his pale blue eyes blinking with mock humility.
 Come in, father" he said. suavely. "We don't often see you here. What will you have? A drop of gin? A lit tie brandy. nOw' Or maybe you're looking for some of the girls to dance with?"
 The men grinned and nudged each other. It is not often that one sees a cure baited.
 You're sport, father" said Sim con. "What sort of stick do you call that, with knob each end?"
 T shall come to that later" an swered the cure. "Simeon, Simeon, how often have I spoken to you about the evil that you are doing here! It is a statutory offense to sell liquor with put a license, but it is an offense against God to run this sort of place. Simeon, for the good of your soul, will you not close down this place and lead a different life?"
 The mild words and humble atti- ture of the old priest were so comical that nobody could conceal his amuse- ment any longer. A roar of laughter shook the shack. Simeon yawned.
 ''Pll think about my soul when Pm sick" he answered.
 You may be very sick at any mo ment, Simeon, without expecting it."
 9TH take the chances of that" an- swered Simeon.
 <>H speaking to you. Do you know that your house is plague-spot in this will lage? Simeon, for the last time' won't you close up for good and all?"
 'Ah. father, you mean all right" !" said Simeon, "but that's your job. bet you're just as much a sport as anybody here, if only you let yourself go. Come on now, and get into a game with us."
 Simeon" said Father Lucien, you were asking me about this stick. I'll show you what it's for. Look !"
 Smack went the hazel knob on Sim cons head. s--..s
 Simeon was so f1abbergasted that he fell back against the plank table As for the cure. he seemed transfg- ured. Holding the singlestick in the middle, he twirled it until it looked like a knobby streak of light, while he pirouetted like a dervish. .E..
 In reality he was going through the important foot exercise marked con- bination 5; but nobody knew that.
 Come on, Simeon," said Father Lu- cfen, ~~fiicking him across the nose which Instantly became ensanguined.
 With Q howl of wrath Simeon came forward, and the singlestick descended on his head with a thud that was heard, neighbors said afterward. across the street. Another thud from the other end and Simeon was blink ing up at the cure from the floor.
 'tGet up, Simeon: I'm going to cure your soul," said the cure.s Are you going to close down ?"
 Simeon struggled to his knees. With an unwonted agility he dodged the sin glestick (mOvement 19 had always bothered the cure) and rushed forward with arms extended. like bear. But Father Lucien had movement 17 pat, and movement IT is especially de signed for this. Placing the right toe against the left heel, he made half turn. Smack! Simeon was reclining against the counter. his hands. over his head. and blood streaming through his fingers. -s
 Simeon, Simeon," said the cure (smack, smack ) "are you going to close down?'
 Simeon lifted up his voice in long, . melancholy howl. He struggled feeb- ly to his feet, and instantly went down again under terrific blow across the right ear (movement 22A).
 'Is your soul better, Simeon?e asked Father Lucien.
 Simeon blinked up into the ring of faces about him. It was an extraor- dinary thing, but, though everybody seemed very much interested in his predicament, nobody showed any signs of interfering to help him. Public opinion was very fickle in Ste. Marie.
 ''NOw you may get up, .SineOn," said the cure, and Simeon hastened to obey His eyes travelled quickly in the direction of an empty brandy bot tie upon the counter. If he could get it into his hand. @
 Smack went the singlestick, and Simeon was down again with a roar like poleaxed bull.
 "What did you do that for?" he whiInpered.
 ''I'm helping you tho best way I knoNy. Simeon" answered the cure