Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-12-03
CHAPTER Ir-cOntiinued

)AAHAA = AaAe - ~Nf~AA -AAAeASA
-
She shook her head, wistfully. "At
the Conservatoire they had planned
for me-a career. sut father was COM
ing out to Canada-and 1 could not
have him come-alone"
"She was the favorite pupil Of the
great Mario, announced st. Onge.
proudly, -but her love for her old Ia
Their could not suffer a separation, so
she is sharing with me-" the French
man rose and nervously paced the
room. then, with a gesture Of hope
lessness finished. 'the loneliness and
the-hell OF this spirit-rIdden valley"
Steele's eyes were on the tine profile
of the girl as she followed her fathers
nervous pacing. Frankly ignoring his
presence, she made no effort to con-
ceal the sollcitude pictured by her
sensitive face. What a sacrifice she
had made To give up career. life
all that people. cities. civilization
mean to the artlst-how could st.
Onge have permitted it, What a trag-
edy he had stumbled on at Walling
River
1--WE told David he could go down
the river with Michel, sir" Steele
hastened to change a too painful sub
ject.
They win find nothing. monsieur"
HAS Michel told you exactly what
they are going to look for, Colonel st.
ongeG"
The factor stopped his pacing.
''Why. what is there to seek. monsieur.
except the evidence which has es-
capped usT'
"Based on a familiarity with the
way Davld's mind works, coupled with
an idea Of my own. my guess is that
they will not spend much time follow
ing the shore"
St. Onge's black eyebrows lifted in
surprise "what do you mean; they
are going into the back countryT
Precisely"
"what forT'
''To find a traili I"
"A trail--through the muskeg7 But
they couldn't get out that way. A
trail leading where1-
That's what puzzles me, colonel
"Oh, you are wrong My men never
stole that fur. We shall find some
thing yet to prove they were broken
up in the big rapid"
And then, father. 1t may be too
late" added the low voice OF Denise
St. Onge.
The bronzed face Of the old soldier
noticeabIy Redeemed at the remark.
but he avoided his daughters eyes.
II was Greek 10 Steele-thIs innuen-
do. and besides. he was hungry for
music. please, mademoiselle, Just a
little more-if you are not too tired
he legged. Il
But the gay mood was not TO be re-
captured. She shook her head. put
aside her bow and violin, and with /
him In hand sat with broodlng eyes on =
he bearskin rug at her feet AS the '
actor talked OF the trade. the glance 8
II his guest shifted constantly to the g
masses OF the girls hair. stray ten r
Irils Of which caught and held the
light OF the candles: TO the hand OF {
he artist. with Its taperfng fingers. c
Which masked her cheek 20 the trim b
oct. In the house moccasin, and q
,ounded ankle; and within him was
0rn the determination to help this e
fri in her secret trouble, II the aid o
r q stranger were possible. "
Shortly, sim a few words Of apol- ID
~ she babe them good night b
VIA sigh. as she left the room. n
he NfgctQF went to a cupboard and
reduced bottle and two glasses. d.
you viii honor me. monsieur. by a
'Ining me In a glass OF cognacf d
his. and the books. insisted on hav- b.
g II were to be exfled to this val OF
y" CO
Steele pou-ed himself modest ~
Ink. IL Is not right. colonel. that II
- should squander this good stuff 4
ION me. In q few weeks I shall be
New York. while your supply Ia hi
nIted.- In
1T is not wasted n appreciated bu
'ofested St Onge. but / fear you
we a suspicion OF IL; Jon have hard kn
q taste there" and he deliberately bu
led bis 0wn glass, and raising Il 20
IN the toast. ~YOur health. mon 70
.ur. and the devil take the Wlndig0
q fhslE friends 7" swallowed the
zndy. SEA