Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-12-10


Steele. closely watching the features
Of St. Onge In the dim starlight.
"Who can saygr replied the French
man. with a shrug 1T may be some
crazed beast-wolverine or lynx OF
bear. And then" he looked hard into
Steele's eyes, 1T may be-the Win
digo."
At the words, David. who had been
listening. turned to Michel in surprise.
But the face Of the head man was
wooden. The Ojlbway's narrow eyes
shifted to those Of Steele, and for q
space white man and red held each
others gaze.
Was the Frenchman, after all, su-
perstitious7 Steele wondered. Had his
nerve softened, after what he had now
heard with his own ears; or was he
playing a gamer
Colonel st. -Onge." said the Ameri-
can after a space. ''this thing has got
to be followed up-run down
scotchedl To you. It's vital! To me.
as a scientist, It's the opportunity Of
lifetime With your permission,
David and I will stay here and lend a
hand until the winter threatens to
break"
The factor impulsiNely offered his
hand. Thank you, monsieurl I shall
be most grateful for your aid"
aAnd Mademoiselle ST. Onge7', asked
Steele, deeply curious. "She heard It
all?"
Yes, she called me when II began.
She was very brave, but there have
been so many things lately" st.
Onge suddenly checked himself. "Ml-
chel." he said. swiftly changing the
subject, I'VE must look after the In
dams at once. But what can we tell
them now, after thisT'
I'VE tell dem de Windigo weel- ketch
dem on de rlviere eef dey leave now"
replied the ready-witted head man.
AS Steele again stretched himself on
his cot, he wondered II there would be
sleep that night for the girl down
stairs--what thoughts were hers as she
lay facing the problem of her future
n problem OF which the sole solution
seemed at that moment to rest with
Monsieur Lascelles at Fort Albany.
There was no one In the living room
when Steele entered early the follow
ing morning, but from the direction Of
the kitchen came the sound OF womens
voices. He was examining the shelves
Of French and English classics when
he heard the light football Of mecca
sins behind him. Diffident at meeting
Denise st. Onge whose humiliation OF
the night before must have been deep, |
but naturally curious as TO her mental /
condition after the night waIllng, he
turned with:
Woodworking. mademoiselle We
are all here, you see. safe and sound,
In spite OF the serenade Of our friend"
The fine eyes Of the girl were heavy
with shadows, but TO his relief. were
not unfriendly. She has not slept,
thought Steele. The Windlgo has got
her. too.
Good morning. mademoisellei We
turned In a voice without spirit, and
here was no life In the colorIess face
as she went on: Yes. we are still
Iere, as you say; but after last night
trust you realize what my father
aces in this terrible valley"
1T is most mysterious" he said.
but you must not allow It to get your
lerve. You are an educated woman,
you must hold your
mental grip. NerYe-rackIng1 OF course
I is, but there is a solution-mad wolf
r wolverine probably" AS he spoke. ,
Ie strove TO pierce the reserve Of her
ark eyes to the thoughts they masked.
But II was horribIe-ghastlyi :" she ,
eplIed. Us Il to be wondered at that 7
he Indians are in a panlc-and these
cor women whose-husbands were with
he fur canoe; they are imbeciles from :
error. found them this morning in
cabin. too frightened 10 cook the q
reakfast Of the children" =
$50 you cooked It for them" he haz- 4
rded with a smile. Surely. MademoI-
Ellie st. Onge had not lost her nerve,
she could think Of the children
The girl flushed. -One could not !
ave them suffer. monsieur" Then
18th a fash Of white teeth. went on. r
But We all feel better. now that the II
IN is out" II
Steele smiled at the human touch. II
"Has your father told you that / am II
aging here, with his permission, to L
How up this Windigo7"
She glanced up in surprise. For an
slant her eyes fell. the dark brows
In thought; then she met
8 quIzzicaI look h,
you are goIng-to 6ght-the Win Ia
gog--You. a stranger-who have-no vi
lerest7" ia
ssBut have q very great interest, al
/ am sent into the Geld 10
the museum to study this sort OF hs
ing. Michel, David and are going ~
fght him-and solve him" ia
but you DO not know the daneeris tn
r. face was very grave az she faced IN
ID. sd be now knew that his sur n,