The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-04-01
"weIl." answered H.,nry ss.smrurfy,

them through the mill. I've got to get
out record load next month, and I'm
going to credit all the wood that goes
through the mill to the ST. Bonlfaco
tract and let Broussenu take any ac-
tion he likes about It."
Brousseau was not long In declaring
war. On the following afternoon, MS he
sat In his office. Hilary, looking through
the window. saw Madeleine Rosny |
driving rig along the road toward the |
mill. Beside her sat a man whom he |
had never seen before. He surmised
ut once that II was Brousseau, but he
hardly expected that the girl was
bringing him to the Office.
Such proved to be the case. The rig
stopped at the door and Hilary had a
glimpse OF Madelelne's averted. scorn-
full face as she sat waiting. as II Hilary
was beneath her pride, as II TO stop
there was no more than TO stop at any
laborer's shack. Her companion leaped
out and came brlskly to the door.
He was man of something more
than forty, but active and young-look-
ing. He came into the Office and glared
down at Hilary. who at once rose and
faced him.
Tin Mr.. Brousseau." said the visitor.
"rve heard of you." said Hilary.
you'll hear more of me. You as
saulted one of my men yesterday. Do
you think you can come into this coun-
try and knock my men about like that
for doing their dutyf"
"He was on the Rosny seigniory. and
cutting my timber"
"He was on the west side of Rlvlere
Rocheuse," snarled Brousseau. "The
Riviere Rocheuse has never been sur
veyed. What you call the creek is the
upper part of Rlviere Rocheuse. Lee
blanc had permission to cut that tract
| for Mr.. Morris because our two CON-
panies worked hand in hand. II is not
my way TO make explanations, Mons
leur Askew, but take that for what II
is worth"
II do so, and 1t is worth nothing"
Hilary answered. "what is your prop
osition2"
"Yo1 assaulted my man."
"Never mind your man. He started
1t, and he needed 1t. If l find him on
my limits I'll assault him again. You
haven't come here to complain about
that, Monsieur Brousseau. What have
you come for7"
Brousseau advanced and banged his
fist on the desk. 'Tve come here to
tell you that you're fool, young man,
he answered. "My word goes In this
part of the country, and you can't come
In here and fight me-"
"YQur proposal, please" said Hilary
quietly.
"Now you're talking sense. This
J amt the United States, where you rich
men can come into territory and graf
, 1t away from the people under theil
noses. You'll put Mr.. Morris back n!
: manager and go home, or else you'll
! sell out to me-"
; "Yes, II does come to about the same
thing" said Hilary. "Why don't yor
ask me to make you a free gift of tn,
concessloni"
: Brousseau scowled savagely at thu
, sarcasm. He was educated enough I,
be stung by banter, but not quicl
enough to retaliate in kind.
, "Now I'll make you my own PROPOSE
, tlon." said Hilary. Its this. You car
either submit your books to my lnspec
, ton and make good on that lumber
that Morris stole from me last year
and keep your men on your own limits
or you can give up the mill rights after
October first and build your own MILL
Brousseau turned white with rage.
I "Tll run you out Of this country" hi
raved. "rll freeze you out before tn,
/ winters over. Monsieur Askew. Yol
watch mel'
Maybe" said Hilary. Meanwhile
l I think you're keeping the buggy wait
! ing. and there is no use In prolongini
. this conversation unless you want t
accept my terms"
Brousseau shook with wrath; h,
}. opened his mouth to speak, but snortet
Y instead; he shook his fist furiousl!
e and. turning upon his heel. stamped
I out of the Office. From his desk Hilar!
y watched him climb into the buggy an,
drive away. His head was bent to
: ward Madeleine Rosny's. and he wa
talking emphatically and gesticulatinl
( freely.
e "War's declared" said Hilary to him
: self, with relief. as he settled himsel
s In his chair.
: Hilary talked the matter over witt
!, Lafe later in the day. IF we cnn ge
5 good shipment out before the Gul
e Closes" he said, 1--WE can carry on I'll
e spring. But Of course we can't hau
e lumber out of the woods until there
q several feet Of snow on the ground"
"And that won't be till navigation
b ended for the year." said Lafe.
: $50 I'm going to put through the mil
every cord of lumber In the river" con
e tlnued Hilary. 'We'll keep Dupon
y busy. And wen wind up the year witt
q a substantialsbalance to our credit"
"The Ste. Marie lumber" muse'