Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-08-03
THE BIG MUSKEG
VICTOR ROUSSEAU
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You weren't TO blame. Will" sobbet
the girl "and the men weren't. | dom
think they would have done me an,
harm. II was the sight of you. WIN
and the fght-I thought they had
stabbed YOU"
Il shall be in camp as long as IL.
Open" answered Wilton. Don't BIZ
afraid any more. I'll see that nc
more OF this stun finds its way here
And tomorrow I'll make an example
OF the worst OF them that won't be
forgotten"
He soothed her and soon brought
her back to her normal condition. As
he grew cooler he began to realize
that. as Molly had said. the men were
not TO blame. In the morning few OF
them would have more than the vagu.
est remembrance OF the AFFAIR. II
was the alcohol. acting as a physical
and moral poison on them.
How did 1t happen?" he asked
presently. And how long have those
two outlaws been In the Campo"
They came here a week ago. VIII"
she answered. "They were very In
s%olent. and said that trouble was com
ing; they made all sorts of vague
threats against you. They seemed TO
want to make trouble for us"
They're here for some object. Mol
" said Wilton Its hinder the
work, OF course. but-there's more
TO Il than that
81 think they want TO Brighten us
away from The portage, VIII" said
Molly. TON Bowyer has beer here
since returned. He told me that my
father was very III that he vas using
his influence to get him pensioned,
and that the best thing we could do
would he to leave the portage as soon
as possible.
"He wanted me to go to Winnipeg
and study stenography. or anything
else | chose. But | told him | couldn't
take any steps without consulting
you"
Good for you. Molly, deari" said
Wilton.
lie hadn't guessed how things we're
between us. for he chsnged instantly.
He began to threaten me. He swore
that | should never marry you. and
that he'd drive us from the portage.
He went away mad with rage When
those two men came | connected their
appearance with him."
.You were right said Wilton "Rut
| don't think they'll show their faces
here again. And I'll see you every
day now Molly, dear. why didn't YOU
write TO me? | hoped for a letter
every day. Why didn't you writer"
II wasn't quite sure-you'd want
me to-" she answered shyly. you see.
VIII. tour engagement-came about
after I nursed you.o And | thought,
after you got hack TO Clayton
I thonght-that I'd lust walt"
"You thought TINT | might change,
MolIy?r cried Wilton.
She nestled close TO him. Not real
". VIII. But IL don't know. but
somehow WANTED to wait. | hated
TO come back here, with you lying
so m. and | was so worried when
hllIN NlU1 7 HnSNtF lin itittES
"Kitty didn't answer your"
"Only once. when you were nearly
out Of danger. Perhaps that made me
feel that-that I'd better not write to
you. VIII. But. of course. all her time
was taken up with caring for you"
"She ought to have written you,"
said Wilton. THAT doesn't sound like
Kitty. And-Molly. dear" he con
.inued. thinking of Kltty's projected
stay at Big Muskeg, 1--WE got a sur
prise for you next month. Just about
he thing that would please you best
n the world"
And as she looked at him In inquiry.
ne drew her into his arms and kissed
her again. Promise me. dear, that
you will never doubt INV love for you"
he pleaded.
II promise. Will me answered !
at him with shining eyes.
'Never-never, deari"
"T1i have to go. Molly" said VIII
on. "OnIy until tomorrow. dear. And
sleep quietly. because I'll give those
men the lesson OF their lives In the
morning"