The Raymer enterprise., 1920-07-29
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Illustrations by Irwin Myers


by the whipping wind. but mot before
Dupont's words had been heard.
From the group upon Baptiste's ship
figure disengaged herself and
stepped forward. 1t was Marie Du-
pont She poised herself upon the
deck. and her voice rang out above
the gale and the sea. 996 d
u give you the name." she cried.
1T Is Edouard Brousseau. II Is he.
and give you my secret which I have
borne all my life. Take itw
She fell back Into Baptiste's armA
And II seemed as II. with the breaking
Of the inhibition. her past life. with
Its fears and terrors. was melted into
the life Of happiness that was to be.
Dupont had heard her. For q mo
ment they could see the tall figure Of
the old man. with his wInd-tossed hair
and beard, standing as IL petrified
upon his blazing deck. Then ne cried
out like a screaming sea-blrd, and his
arms closed about the man at his side.
As Baptlste turned and tackled 1t
could be seen that the old man was
holding Brousseau with one arm. Al
easily as II he held a child, while his
free hand controlled the wheel again.
What reservoir Of strength he drew
upon. what miracle Of seamanship.
could never be known. But. as II na-
ture were aiding him. veering gust
caught the sails, and with backward
movement the schooner began to glide
through the entrance Of the Ice field
into open water.
The fire was all about them. Screams
came from the doomed ship, but they
came from BrOusseau, struggling IN
Dupont's arms. Not a sound came
from the captains lips.
The vessel gained her freedom. she
turned and began to drive eastward.
toward the Gulf and Its open water.
Faster and faster she went as the wind
compelled her. The Mortified watchers
upon the deck Of Baptlste's schooner
saw the blazing vessel glide into the
distance, blazing comet. and Dupont,
black against the heart of the fire, aud
Br0usseau In his arms.
Little was afterward remembered
concerning the rescue. But from that
night legends began to spread along
both shores: OF Baptste's seamanship,
and of Hilary. who. single-hnnded,
saved the heiress Of the scignory from
Brousseau and the two outlaws.
But none Of the principals In these
events care overmuch to dwell upon
them. even In memory. And. though
memories live long In silence. gossip
soon dies. All this is becoming local
legend. such as mothers tell to their
babies.
But the st. BonIface mill now huns
from dawn till dark, and the asbestos
mine has brought In Its workers and
made st. Boniface quite hourishlns
village In the north country.
Twice month. when he pays his
pastoral visit. you may see Father
LucIen. still hale and strong. patrOlling
Ste. Marie with curious hazel stick.
fashioned with knob at each end;
and It is said that Ste. Marie Ia one OF
the best parishes on the north shore.
On Sundays. seated In the parish
church. may be seen Simeon Duvai.
n0dding his head approvingiy as. point
by point. the cure takes up his de-
nunciation Of liquor selling. For Pa
ther Luclen really reached Simeon's
soul with his hazel stick.
Marie has the best house In the vii
lage. for Baptiste does a thriving trade
carrying the st. Boniface lumber.
Here Is Clarice who looks. somehow,
Just as one might have expected from
Lafe's descriptions.
ale wouldn't come home" she says
to Hilary. 80 had to come after him.
But he's coming home next October. to
see his children and the new house"
Bought and paid for" said Lafe.
"Yes, ! guess that's correct. Mr.. AS
kew. Though I'll be back some day to
see you all. 1t aln't so bad. this cuun-
try-except for that pink and black
porch Baptiste's put on his house
Darn him. what did he wnnt to do that
for? | tell you how It Is: These peo-
pie can't help breaking out somewhere
and somehow it's In their blood. that'a
what II Is."
But In his heart he knows that the
winter will see him back In st. Boni.
face
Madeleine smiles. and puts her ar,s
through HlIary's