Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-08-31
THE BIG MUSKEG
VICTOR ROUSSEAU

You weren't to blame, WILL" sobbed
the girl land the men weren't. don't
think they would have done me any
harm. 1t was the sight of you, WILL
and the fight 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 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. 1t
was the alcohol, acting as a physical
and moral poison on them.
"How did it happen" he asked
presently. "And how long have those
two outlaws been in the campo"
"They came here a week ago, 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
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. tom Bowyer has been here
since I returned. He told me that my
father was very i'll; that he was using
his influence to get him pensiOned,
and that the best thing we could do
would be to leave the portage as soon
as possible.
"He wanted me to 20 to Winnipeg
and study stenography, or anything
else l chose. But I told him I 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 | 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
| 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? l hoped for a letter
every day. Why didn't you write?'
II wasn't quite sure-yOu'd want
me to-" she answered shyly. "You see,
Will, -four engagement-came about
after I nursed you. And I thought,
after You got back to Clayton
thought-that I'd Just wait"
"You thought that I might change,
MolIy?" 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 back here, with you lying
so i'll, 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, VIII. 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 Kittys projected
stay at Big Muskeg 1--WE 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.
81 promise. Will" she answered,
looking at him with shining eyes.
"Never-never, dear"
"Tll have to go, Molly" said Will
ton. "Only until tomorrow, dear. And
sleep quietly, because I'll give those
men the lesson Of their lives in the
morning"