The herald., 1922-04-27
The Fatal
Blow
By CALVIN HENDRICKS

Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
Nobody in the logging camp knew
why Big Pierre and Happy Jake had
uarreled-nObody except those two
themselves. They had been the best
Of friends, though ill assorted. Big
Pierre, quiet, grave, simple, and Hap
py, so called from his hilarity when
he returned from pay-night visits to
Mulligan's shack, where whisky was
dispensed In violation Of the laws.
The cause Of the quarrel was as
elemental as those of all quarrels
among the lumbermen. Happy and
Pierre had discovered that each
loved the same girl; more accurate
ly, Pierre had won Mignonne away
from Jake, though till Jake pulled
her photograph from his coat and
cursed his unknown supplanter he
himself had not known who was the
man he had succeeded In Mignonnes
affections.
That they sdid not fight 1t out was
because II was too serious matter.
Happy intended to think out his plans,
and Pierre acknowledged in his
heart that, when Happy gave the
signal, he must be prepared to do
battle, even to the death, should Hap
py demand it.
1t was pay night and Pierre sat
moOdily beside his bunk. He was
wondering what Happy would do.
Then shouts were heard and in rushed
a crowd Of lumbermen.
"Pierre" they yelled. you're the
only man has power over Happy. He's
in Mulligan's, fighting drunk, and
there'll be murder done unless you
get him away"
Instantly their quarrel was forgot
ten. Big Pierre reached Mulllgan's
just as Happy staggered to the TIRES
hold, flashing long lumberman's
knife.
Happy" cried Pierre. Come with
me. You are not a match for all
that crowd. Comet"
For answer Happy lunged at him.
Pierre lodged and ran into the pine
woods, Happy laundering behind him.
Crafty Pierre was trying to draw
Happy away from Mulligan's.
Happy pursued him like a mad bull,
stabbing at him with the long knife.
Pierre saw that he must act decisive
~. He turned suddenly, lodged the
knife, and sent Happy sprawling with
a blow on the point Of the chin.
The blow was enough to kill a
man, and Pierre had put all his force
into it.
Pierre tried to recall him to con-
seriousness but in vain.
The nearest doctor lived 10 miles
away, and Pierre started on the tramp
along the trail.
1t was about two in the morning
that Doctor Renaud heard a faint
hammering upon the door of his cot
tage in the village Of BeddingtOn.
He thrust on some clothes and hurried
down.
Two bodies lay PROSTATE In the
snow. He carried them inside. He
| found indications Of life in one Of
| them.
Two hours later Pierre opened his
eyes suddenly and groaned.
"There. l guess you'll be all right
now" said Doctor Renaud. you
may lose a toe or two-but / hope
not. If you hadn't had that burden
to keep your blood stirring"
as Happy alive" asked Pierre.
Doctor Renaud glanced at him
through narrowing eyelids.
"You have been carrying a corpse
for the last couple Of hours, Pierre"
he answered. "Who killed himT
81 killed him." groaned Pierre,
with my fist. Sol" He made q
motion to explain, but the arm
dropped helplessly at his side. "We
had quarreled, and he came at me
with his knife. I struck him on the
jaw"
Here is your knife?" said Doctor
Renaud.
Pierre glanced down at his glrdle.
81 have it. There is no blood on 1t.
You could not have killed Happy with
your knife" said the doctor.
mo, with my fist" grOaned Pierre.
and told the doctor the whole story.
When he had ended Renaud laid his
hand on his shoulder.
"Pierre," he said, "Hamy died from
q stab through the heart. Your blow
was nothing. He was practically dead
even before you struck him. And you
carried him fifteen miles through the
forestl You did this for the man
who sought your life"
"No," answered Pierre happily. II
did 1t for Mignonnep