Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-08-11

wrapped In his caribou robe, staring
out through the window at the port
age.
'I'll no go to Winnipeg" said Nc
Donald. "I'll just stay here until I'm
better. I'm thinking the Dog Tooths
will be bringing in their peltries next
week. I'm thinking I'll no buy De-
cember skins this winter"
II was thinking the same. The fall
was too late; they won't be purchas-
able till the middle Of next month.
But the Dog Tooths will want debt"
'9Theyll get no debt" said Melon
aid. "See to 1t, Molly! But suppose
the squaws will get on the soft side Of
We, and 1t takes a man to handle them
I'll have to get WELL" he continued
speaking with feverish energy.
His mind, which had turned from
one idea to another; running from its
fears, now leaped upon them. "Whatll
We do MollyT he demanded roughly.
"There, my lass, l didna mean to put
1t to you like that. But where'll ye
go Ii dinna?"
Don't let us think Of that, father"
AYE, but ye Gamma stay here. /
should have spoken before" In his
distress he fell into his native speech.
"Mony NIGHT I've laid awake think
ing on it, before I had the stroke, In
the windy wacht here. I thocht I'd
brocht We up unspotted frae the warld.
And moo"
She laid her other hand on his. eff
the worst should happen, I can take
care of myself. Don't fear for me, IA
Their" she said.
"If We could have the store. That'd
be best But the company wouldna
have woman factor. The company's
constructive. And the old store'll
last out my days and yours, In spite
Of Joe Bostock's folly. That's what
Mr.. Bowyer called it when he was
here for the moose In October. Joe
Bostockll never cross Big Muskeg.
And If he could, where'd he get his
freight and passengersf
eff ever thiS country's opened up,
Tom Bowyer will put his own line
through. He was telling me so.
But there's naething here but the
moose and caribou and the Indians.
It's always been that way; it always
will be So"
He caught her by the sleeve. "Ye'll
no see VIII Carruthers again. he
shouted.
"Tm not likely to, unless he comes
this way" she answered In con-
strained voice, dreading the outbreak
of violence which she knew would fol-
low.
"Aye, but he'll be here. I ken the
mon and his kind. The sight Of
pretty face is meat and drink to him.
He'll be here, and me lying helpless
abed. tell you I ken the mon. Mr..
Bowyer was telling me about him. His
names bysword among decent folks"
"Well, Mr.. Bowyer's own reputation
isn't the BEST" she retorted, nettled
that she was forced to champion Will
ton. "You know Mr.. Carruthers has
an interest in Joe Bostock's line. OF
course, Tom. Bowyer would try to set
you against theml"
The factors face grew purple with
rage; he choked for utterance
II ken the whole scheme weell |" he
shouted. when you went to Winni-
peg you got In thick with Kitty Bos-
took, and never mail comes in but
fhnr0fu Iaftnp har
Joe are going to get you there, to leave
me here alone. Aye, read that letter
the woman wrote you, telling you that
your life was wasted here. ken what
the warld is; I learned 1t one night
In Toronto, years ago. And, mark me,
I'd rather see We lying dead at my
feet than the plaything of man like
Will Carruthers!"
That had been the burden Of his re-
proaches ever since Tom BoWyer's
visit the autumn before.
Bowyer had poisoned his mind
against Wilton-Molly was sure Of
that. She suspected that Bowyer had
some hold over her father. She knew
that, years before, he had secured him
his position with the company. AS 1t
happened, the company needed men
for training-Scots; for the service
had become a tradition in North
Britain since the days of Mckenzie.
And the company does not pick Its
employees out Of the highways and
byways.
Molly had known Tom Bowyer since
childhood, although his visits to
the trading post had occurred not
oftener than once In two or three
years. She had heard much to his dis
credit In Winnipeg, and had verified It
when he spent day or two at the
portage In October. Bowyer saw big
ger game in prospect than the moose,
and. as beginning, resolved to rid
himself Of a possible rival-Wilton.
Molly had spoken well Of him. and
Bowyer was keen reader Of mind.
When the storm Of her fathers rage
had passed, the girl went down and
stood miserably in the doorway. His
insane outbursts were driving her to