The Mena weekly star., 1921-02-03
CHAPTER XVII.

d Events followed each other with re- freshlng rapidity. While the crew of zfhe big locomotive on the crossing busied themselves getting up steam, Sexton and Jules Rondeau toiled at the loading of the discarded boiler and Sheavy castings aboard two flat cars. By utilizing the steel derrick on the wrecking car, this task was Completed by noon. and after luncheon (he mogul backed xlp the main line last the switch into the Laguna rande yards; whereupon the switch Engine kicked the two fiat cars and the recking car out of the yard and down 10 the crossing, where the Instructions Fere promptly unloaded. The police patched the operation with alert inter |st but forebore to interfere in this igh-handed closing of a public thor bpghfsre.
 To Sexton's annoyance and secret Apprehension. Bryce Cardigan and buck 0gilvy promptly appeared on the cene. both very cheerful and lavish Fith expert advice as to the best nethod of expedlting the job in hand. To BrycS's surprise Jules Rondeau ap- eared to take secret enjoyment of his good-natured chaffing of the La una Grande manager. Occasionally e eyed Bryce curiously but without nimus, and presently he flashed the etter a lightning wink. as if to say: fWhat fool Sexton is to oppose &ou I"
 Well. Rondeau." Bryce hailed the oods-boss cheerfully. 'I see you have ulte recovered from that working ver l gave you some time ago. No ard feelings, trust shouldn't care
 have that job to do over again. ou're tough one.r
 By gar, she don pay for have hard edings wiz you. m'sieur." Rondeau 4nswered bluntly We have one fine 4ght. but"-he shrugged--"I don want fcme more" He approached Bryce #nd lowered his voice. For one month am no good all ze tam. We don 7ght some more. msieur. And I have eel ashame' for dose Black Minorca |{eiler Always wiz him eet Is ze knife F ze club--and now eet Is ze rife. #oehon! Wen fght. fight wiz what # bon Dieu give me"
 < You appear to have a certain code. liter all. Bryce laughed 'I am in |4lned to like you for 1t. You're sporty " your way, you tremendous scoun- Hrel r
 4 Mebbeso," Rondeau suggested hope {hily "M'sieur likes me for woods 5oss?"
 # Way, what's the matter with Pen ngton? Is he tired of your"
 The color mounted slowly to the pods bully's swarthy cheek. Made oiselle Summair, he's tell me pretty pon he's goin' be boss of Laguna fande an stop all thees fight. An en Mademoiselle, he is fin the saddle, pod'bye Jules Rondeau. Thees coun- M like him. feel sad. M'sieur.
 leave dose beeg trees" He paused, oKlne rather wistfui'y af Bryce. '1 me woods-boss for somebody" he iggesled 'tupefully.
 You think Miss Sumner dislikes ou lhen Rondeau?"
 T don theenk. know" He sigh. his huge body seemed to droop.
 am out of zee good luck now" he urmured bitterly. Everybody, she a.e Jules Rondeau." Again he shed. Dose beeg trees In Quebec nave none. In zee woods, Msieur, 'eel-here '" And he laid his great ahoused, hairy hand over his heapt- "en l cut your beeg trees. Msieur1 Feel like he'll"
 That internal gorilla of man Is
 poet," Buck Ogilvy declared. "rd alnk twice before I let him get out
 the country. Bryce.r
 Whose salt he eats. his song he ahss quoth Bryce. T forgive you F"haeau. and when I need woods oss like you. I'll send for you
 
 A' eleven o'clock Saturday night the pu'F United States marshal arrived
 Seluoia.h Unon the advice of Buck however he made no attempt
 service that night. notwithstanding
 'acf that Jules Rondeau a.d his .'N's still guarded the crossing. Al s" o'clock Sunday morning. how. " hrvce Cardigan drove him down
 '"r crossing Bnck Ogilvv was aI-
 as there win his men. snnsrlnlfnJ.