Middletown transcript., 1922-08-05


1t was evident enough that they had
Drought the liquor to the portage.
Shouting to Digby. he rushed after
them. But they were through the
Kitchen and had gained the open be-
fore he could get within dozen PAGES.
Digby had evidently not understood
Wilton's shout.
Good work, what?" he calculated.
"Dyou have much of this sort, Mr..
CarruthersY'
| don't KNOW" answered Wilton.
It'll be part Of our business to see
that there isn't any more"
1T wasn't on our school curriculum"
said the Englishman thoughtfully.
Wilton only glanced at him, and
went into the store. Molly was on her
knees before her father, who had sunk
into chair. The old mans face was
ashen white, but, as Wilton ap-
preached, he opened his eyes and
glared at him.
"D-n ye!" he Kissed with unimagin-
able fury. This is your work. Get
out Of my store and never let me see
your face again !"
He turned, and began to shuttle
away, dragging his palsied leg. his
right arm dangling. Wilton fell back.
and Mcdonald began to make his
way upstairs.
Wilton went up to Molly and took
her in his arms.
"Molly-Molly, dear, it's all right
now," he said anxiously. "Forglve
me! I couldn't have guessed those
men would have been wild beasts like
that. I thought Andersen could keep
them in control. Thank God, l came
when l did,"
You weren't to blame, WILL" sobbed
the girl "and the men weren't. l don't
think they would have done me any
harm. 1t was the sight of you Will.
and the fight-I thought they had
stabbed you-"
Il shall be in camp as long as it's
open answered Wilton. Don't be
afraid any more. I'll see that no
more of this stuff 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 - 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 va
guest remembrance of the affair. 1t
| hn oil I
and moral poison on them.
How did it happen?' he asked
presently. "And how long have those
two outlaws been in the camp?"
"They came here a week ago, Will"
she answered. "They were very in
solent, and said that trouble was com
ing; ,hey made all sorts of vague
threats against you. They seemed to
want to make trouble for us"
They're here for some object. Mol
ly," said Wilton. Its to hinder the
work, of course, but-there's more
to it than that"
81 think they want to frighten us
away from the portage, Will" said
Molly. TON Bowyer has been here
since l returned. He told me that my
father was very ill that he was 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 ant
study stenography, or anything else
l chose. But l told him couldn't
take any steps without consulting
you"
Good for you, Molly, dear" said
Wilton.
"He hadn't guessed how things were
between us, for he changed instantly
He began to threaten me. He swore
that l 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 We're right" said Wilton. "But
l don't think they'll show their faces
here again. And I'll see you every
day now. Molly, dear, why didn't yol
write to me? l hoped Cor letter
every day. Why didn't you write?'
Il wasn't quite sure-youd want
me to-" she answered shyly. You see
VIII, tour engagement-came about
after I nursed you. md l thought
after you got back to Clayton
l thought-that I'd just wait"
''You thought that l might change
Molly?' cried Wilton.
She nestled close to him. Not real.
ly, VIII. But II don't know, but
somehow WANTED to wait | hated
so to come Lack here, with you lying
so ill, and l was so worried when
Kitty didn't answer my letters"
kitty didn't answer you?"
"Only once, when you were nearly
out of danger Perhaps that made me
feel that-that I'd better not write to
you, Will. 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
tinued, thinking of Kitty's projected
stay at Big Muskeg, I've got sur
prise for you next month Just about
the thing that would please you best
in the world"
And as she looked at him in inquiry
he drew her into his arms and kissed
her again. promise me, dear, that