Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-09-13
THE BIG MUSKEC
VICTOR ROUSSEAU

You weren't to blame, WILL" s0bbed
the girl; land the men weren't. don't
think they would have done me any
harm. II was the sight of you. win,
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 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 II happen?" he asked
presently. "And how long have those
two outlaws been In the campT
''They came here a week age. WILL"
she answered. They were very in
solent, and said that trouble was COM
ing; they made all sorts Of vague
threats against you. They seemed to
want to make trouble for u.s."
They're here for some object. Mol
"" said Wilton. "It's 10 hinder the
work, OF course, but-there's more
to II than that"
st think they want TO brighten Us
away from the portage. W1l," said
Molly. tom Bowyer has been here
since I returned. He told me that my
father was very IN; that he was using
his influence to get him penslOned,
and that the best thing we could do
would be TO leave the portage as soon
as possible.
"He wanted me 20 90 10 Winnipeg
and study stenography. or anything
else I chose. But told him couldn't
take any steps without consulting
you"
"Good for you. Molly. dearF" said
Wilton.
"He hadn't guessed how things were
between us. for he changed instantly.
He began TO threaten me. He swore
that I should never marry you. and
that he'd drive us from the portage.
He went away mad with rage. When
those two men came I connected their
appearance with him"
"YOu were right" said Wilton. "But
I 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"
ct wasn't quite Sure-you'd want
me to-" she answered shyly. "You see,
WIN. tour OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES about
after nurSed you. And I thought,
after you got back 10 Clayton
I thought-that I'd Just wait"
"You thought that I might change.
Molly?" cried Wilton.
She nestled close 10 him. "Not real
", VIII. But IL don't know. but
somehow WANTED 10 wait. hated
so To come back here. with you lying
so IN. and was so worried when
Kitty didn't answer my letters"
"Kltty 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 70 have written you"
said Wilton. THAT doesn't sound like
Kitty. And-MOlly. dear" he con-
tlnued. thinking Of Kltty's projected
stay at Big Muskeg. "Tve 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
you will never doubt my love for you"
he pleaded.
II promise VIII" she answered,
looking NJ him with shining eyes.
"Never-never. dearT"
"T1l have 10 go. Molly" said VII
ton. "Only until tomorrow. dear. And
sleep quietly. because TIL give those
men the lesson Of their lives In the
morning."