The Meeker herald., 1921-12-17

MS name was one Wnlcn maze those
earliest Inhabitants of Detroit flush with pride.
Even when his warning days were over and he had
settled down the river bank his prestige was
such that people would step aside to let him pass
as he came stridng down the roadway.
Claire had temperament not unlike her fath.
crs. Their wrangles and their reconciliations
known all up and down the river. Yet they were
passionntely attached to each other and devotedly
loved by the whole community. In particular was
the fair Claire loved by one Beauclerc. a 1.-THE.
dark young Frenchman who hunted more for the
sport Of the chase than the profit Of his pocket
book at the fur trading post. When Sieur Beau.
vais would see Philippe Beaucerc's tall. straight
\ figure at CRires elbow walking down Ste. Anne
street. now known as Jefferson avenue. his brow
would darken threateningly. But he would ind
himself commenting secretly, despite his anger.
"Dien. what pairI' and he would add "Aias,
1t isn't permitted for good French father to let
his daughter make fool Of herself for a pennless
hunter Just because he has the looks of q young
god"
Then Claire would be hurried home There was
no mnnian to Que the storm before 1t broke, for
Calre's mother hnd withstood the rigors of the
Michigan winter for only three years. So the old
warrior and his gay young daughter would rage
ut each other for fifteen minutes md then fall In.
to each others arms Peace would be made Claire
would so bahe her eyes, brush back the rebellIous
gold Of her hnir and come back charmingly dutfu,
TO preside over the tencups md to welcome the
other young men who came during the course Of
the evening to pny their respects to her In the
presence of her sharp-eyed fatler-officers of the
fort In their swagger uniforms. skilled trappers
Il tradesmnn or two and men who owned many
acres on which they raised Indian corn and wheat
Among the latter group there chilled now and
then rickety old va-debon.Coeur. He was a
shrewd old Frenchman whose broad lands down
on the Rouge river bank outspanned every other
sutors. In spite Of his physical unattractiveness
he was possessed Of good, kind heart and capaci.
ty for endless devotion. seur Beauvnis always
Coeurs direction as II to shake of an unpleasant
generally would thaw out and say to himself .TIe's
really not half bad; he's really surprisingly good
for IN old man. And rich tiensl how he could
lavish wealth on my little Clarei Fancy, two
estates for the girl, her own and his, one at each
end Of the village She might BE- ~ rich as she
Is beautiful. And he's really remarkably kind and
wise"
After their guests were gone tho storm would
break again. One night after this had been going
on for more than year the seigneur Of Beauvais
determined that matters would have to come to q
reckoning.
came down on the heavy oak table The red nrs-
ing on the buckles Of his uniform and gliding the
ht Of his hunting knife and under his bushy brows
little red flames danced reflected In the pupils Of
his great black eyes. Claire rose from the small
chair where she sat By the hearth. defiance In
cry line Of her lovely little figure.
you've got to settle down. you've too many
rnoonstruck fellows dangling after you. dozen
have asked me for your hand And when tell
you, you only put me on You've snapped your