Middletown transcript., 1922-09-23
The Big Muskeg
By
VICTOR ROUSSEAU


and shrank back against the wall. A
cry broke from her lips.
ut isn't true, father!" she begged,
fixing her eyes in terror upon the fac
tors. 'Tell him It isn't true. You
didn't kill that man who insulted my
mother! And. If you did. you did 1t
to protect her. Tell him it's lie"
The factors whimpering means
were all her answer. They ceased,
and for full minute there was not |
the least sound in the room. Slowly |
Molly raised her head, and the look |
that had come into her eyes at last
was one that Bowyer had seen in
the eyes of many men and women be-
fore. He knew that the time OF his
triumph had come.
"Unless marry you, Tom Bowyer,"
said Molly, "you will betray my father,
who trusted your"
"I'll give him up to justice" Bow
yer shouted. "Tll fight with what
weapons I've got. wouldn't any man
who was a man fight for what he
wanted most of all in the world? II
you don't give up, l swear he'll hang.
You know what Canadian law Is. l
swear to you I'll have him hanged In
Yorkton inside Of six months If you
don't agree to what I'm asking OF
you"
"And If l do agree?" asked Molly,
shuddering.
The sudden glance of hope in the
factors eyes went to her heart. But
Mcdonald, crushed under his servi-
tude, had q flicker of manhood after
all.
Don't do it, Molly lass!' he shout
ed. "Tll hang!" He turned to Bow
yer. "Ill hang!" he shouted, and then
his voice broke into a whimper.
"Shut up, you old fool!' said Bow.
yer contemptuously. "If you agree
Molly" he said, "the past will all be
.and I'll be true to you. I'll give yot
everything you want, and I'll make
Mcdonald home as long as he lives
D-n it! You look as if l was asking
something awful of you! What's tn
matter with me? Amt l good enough
for your
. She looked up, to see Bowyers re-
! face peering into her own. She shiv
II cred, as If with mortal cold.
"Ill marry you" she said.
The slow smile that spread owe
Bowers face was indescrbable. II
turned to Mcdonald. "Well, that's Sc
tied at last" he said, rubbing hi
e hands together in gloating self-sati
ie faction. Get to bed, Mcdonald! Mol
H. and l will sit up while and talk ovt
y the details of our honeymoon tri
II. That amt your business. Maybe We
III do q little love-making on the sid
'e too, but not too rough. l guess kno
how to handle a girl y
III He strobe toward the door al
er opened it, The factor stood stock-st
er for a moment. Then, at Bowyer's ca
III he stumbled toward it, and Bowy
III led him across the passage into n
=. other room.
Al you'll be comfortable in here, NJ
Donald" Bowyer shouted, slappi1
Ill the old man ON the back. And dol
you fear for Molly. I'll take Nigh
en- good care of her."
Id. There followed his returning fo
ho steps, and the sharp, sudden click
key. Then came furious rattli
he from within. Bowyer turned angril
ere "Go to bed, you old fool!'
log shouted. "Didn't l tell you I'd ia
care of her?'
ON The rafting ceased, but Molly hei
the factors feet shuffling as he ste
r.! irresolutely behind his door, listeni
Bower came back and slammed
ou, door behind him. He put his hand
a Molly's shoulder.
the I'm glad that's all settled at las
ote' he said. Cd, you've led me ch;
'h Molly! Hardest I've ever had; bu
lie knew I'd get you In the end"
"When do you wish me to ma
you?" asked Molly in II whisper.
Bowyer threw back his head
laughed, Now you're talking" he
swered. That's the point l was c
NJ ing to. I'm business man, and
M used TO paying what l have to
mi what | want. But I've been think
III that when two people are agreed
the same thing and there's no
\ out of it, unless you want the old |
NJ TO swing-why, it mghtnt be ne
III sary for you and me to get mar
~ at ALL"
lie slid his arm about her waist
bent his red face toward hers. Fo
instant the girl misunderstood. 1
~ she leaped to her feet, her eyes
N ing.
~ "Get out of my way, Tom Bow
If you try to stop me I'll murder y
she screamed.
She ran round behind the di
lEM snatched up the empty rifle, and
&fM Bowyer followed her, brought
wi the stock with all her strength.
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