The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-06-25
wNU Service
Chapter TX
fE

TUT tSu udyo UAC6SOA, ShC AASCoeA6oe
ing agent, had been Bush McTaggart's
guest at the post, and twice in that
time it had come into Marie's mind to
creep upon him while he slept and kill
him. The Factor himself paid little
attention to her now, fact which
would have made her happy If it had
not been for Gregson. He was enrap-
tured with the wild, sinuous beauty
of the Cree girl, and McTaggart, with
out jealousy, encouraged him. He was
tired of Marie.
McTaggart told Gregson this. He
wanted to get rid of her, and If he
Gregson-could possibly take her on
with him 1t would be great favor.
He explained why. A little later, when
the deep snow came, he was going to
bring the daughter Of Pierrot Du
Quesne to the Post. In the rotten
ness of their brotherhood he told of
his visit, of the manner of his recep-
ton, and of the incident at the chasm.
In spite of all this. he assured Greg
son Pierrot's girl would soon be at
Lac Balm.
1t was at this time that Macdonald
came. He remained only one night.
and without knowing that he was add
ing fuel to fire already dangerously
blazing, he gave the photograph he
had taken of Nepeese to the Factor.
1t was II splendid picture. q
"If you can get it down to that, girl
some day I'll be nightly obliged" he
said to McTaggart. II promised her
one. Her fathers name is Du Quesne
-Pierrot Du Quesne. You probably
know them. And the girl"
His blood warmed as he described
to McTaggart how beautiful she was
that day in her red dress, which had
taken black in the photograph. He
did not guess how near the boiling
point McTaggart's blood was.
The next day Macdonald started for
Norway House. McTaggart did not
show Gregson the picture. He kept it
to himself and at night, under the
glow of his lamp, he looked at 1t with
thoughts that filled him with a grow
ing resolution. There was but one
way. The scheme had been In his
mind for weeks--and the picture de-
termined him. He dared not whisper
his secret even to Gregson. But it
was the one way. 1t would give him.
Nepeese. Only-he must wait for the
deep SHOWS. the midwinter SHOWS.
They buried their tragedies deepest.
McTaggart was glad when Gregson
followed the map-maker to Norway
House. Out of courtesy he accompa-
MED him days journey on his way.
When he returned to the Post, Marie
was gone. He was glad. He sent off
runner with load of presents for
her, people. and the message: Don't
beat her. Keep her. She is free"
Along with the hustle and stir of
the beginning of the trapping season
McTaggart began to prepare his house
for the coming Of Nepeese. He knew
what she liked in the way of cleanli-
ness and few other things. He had
the log walls painted white with the
lead and oil that were intended for his
York boats. Certain partitions were
torn down, and new ones were built !:
the Indian wife of his chief runner
made curtains for the windows, and
he confiscated small monograph
that should have gone ON to Lac la
Biche. He had no doubts, and he
counted the days as they passed.
Down on the Gray Loon Pierrot and
Nepeese were busy at many things, so
busy that at times Pierrot's fears of
the Factor at Lac Balm were forgot
ten, and they went out of the Willows
mind entirely. 1t was the Red Moon,
and it thrilled with the anticipation
and excitement of the winter hunt.
Nepeese carefully dipped hundred
traps in boiling earibou-fat mixed
with beaver-grease, while Pierrot made
fresh deadfalls ready for setting on
his trails. When he was gone more
than day from the cabin, she was
always with him.
But at the cabin there was much to
do, for Pierrot, like all his Northern
brotherhood, did not begin to prepare
+ until the keen tang of autumn was in
the air. There were snowshoes to be
rewebbed with new babiche, there
was wood to be cut In readiness for
the winter storms; the cabin had to
be banked, new harness made, skin
ming knives sharpened and winter
mOccasins to be manufactured; hum
dred and one affairs to be attended to-
He repaired the meat rack at the
back of the cabin, where, from the
beginning of cold weather until the
end, would hang the launches of deer,
caribou and moose for the family
larder and, when fish was scarce, the
dogs rations.
In the hustle OF all this Nepeese was
compelled to give less attention to
BARGE than during the preceding
weeks. They did not play so much !;
they no longer swan, for with the
mornings there was deep frost on the
ground, and the water was turning