Middletown transcript., 1922-09-02
The Big Muskeg
By
VICTOR ROUSSEAU
nrwAssTrYESSSs srESS san,.r

ut lpks to me-" he ruminated, "as
II them two snakes'll get the line.
Joe must have been mad, or mighty
hard put, when he hypothecated them
shares" He turned to Wilton. "What
dye want to worry about 1t for. any
way?" he asked. "If Joe took chance
like that, he couldn't have felt too
strong about it."
He laid his hand on Wilton's
shoulder. "Whisky's good" he said
In his odd way. "So's ginger pop.
But the mixtures h-ll. Sos women
and business, boy. I'd help ye with
that loan IL 1 could see my way. But
l can't. I've been stung too bad al
ready, and I've got grandson to
look after. Ye'd better make terms
with Phayre."
This was one of the worst blows
that had fallen. If Belts had lost
faith. who would have kept 1t? He
understood the allusion to Kitty. Belts
thought he was in love with her. Then
SO must other people.
| He was due at the court that day.
and gave his evidence. The half
breeds received each six months in
the penitentiary-a light sentence, on
the jury's recommendation. Afterward
Wilton had talk with Quain.
The two men had sullenly refused
to give any reason for their flight. If
the outlaw Hackett had advised them,
they did not put in that plea.
The jury had believed that one Of
them had accidentally shot Joe, and
that this had been the cause Of their
disappearance. So did Quain, ap-
parently.
I'm afraid. VIII, that we can't hope
for anything fresh upon that subject"
he said.
This business done, Wilton went to
see Kitty, swallowing his pride. After
all. 1t was for Joe that he was plead
ing. Kitty received him in the old
friendly manner, with touch Of re-
serve that should have put him on his
guard. But he began eagerly.
kitty" he said, 'you know we've
crossed the Muskeg."
Then Kitty showed her claws.
81 was so glad when l heard of It.
WILL" she said. you've been trying
to do that all the summer, haven't
your"
"Why-yes, of course" said Wilton
looking at her in astonishment.
She put her hand on his arm with Q
caressing gesture. do tell me wha,
muskeg is, WILL" she said. ''rve
heard you speak of it so often, and
can never remember the meaning o.
those words"
And with that the last of Wilton:
illusions fell from him, leaving hin
face to face with stark reality. Ii,
faced Kitty very gently.
:Kitty, listen to me now," he said
"I've been in this game for Joe-an,
for you. When Joe died l saw tina
we'd have to fight hard to keep tn
line. l saw a lot of money in it, later
and meanwhile you'd have enough t.
live on, so that we could use you
capital and your control to carry GU
/ Joe's plans"
"Yes, WILL" said Kitty, with til
air of one who listens wearily to
| lesson.
"Joe's borrowing on those shares ha
changed everything. The loan has t
, be repaid before the year is out.
| it isn't, you lose the line. They
J wreck it, and they'll wreck your fol
/ tune, and that Of the other investor.
Then they'll reconstruct. When tn
: line has ceased to have any value q
all, Bowyer and Phayre will have
new line of their own. Do you under
stand?"
I'm trying to, WILL" said Kit.
"But what do you want me to do?"
I'm proposing this for your SAX,
Kitty. If you sell your property
Winnipeg you can raise three or fou
hundred thousand. / believe l coul
borrow the rest. That will me,
Phayres loan, and you'll hold the lin
It's the only way, because no bar
would lend you money on the re.
campaign against us. And he's mac
the most of the subsistence. 1t
speculative-what I'm suggesting. Bl
Joe would have done it. And in
few years it'll mean millions"
"Are you sure, WIFI" asked Kit
eagerly.
mot sure, Kitty, but nearly sure
"Will, you are Joe's executor. I
YOU advise me to take that risk?"
"Nor said Wilton sharply.
"But you just said"
"As Joe's executor, l can't. It's n
sound business. An executor dar
not advise throwing away certain
for speculation. AS Joes executor
mol"
"Then why did you advise me to
asked Kitty innocently.