White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-08-06

| A slim youth, his face sparkling with
excitement, came running up to
| Father Tenau, as he sat musing on
the log step that edged his house of
God beside the Qu'Appelle.
The good old man, so greatly loved
by all in the lonesome reaches of the
fur country, was looking down con-
tentedly on the trading-post, nestled
in it's high .stockade and stretching
from his step to the great, time-worn
gate which. standing open, Hospitality
babe all the world enter, or, closed,
gave frowning defiance to it's enemies.
But there had been no enemies for
many long year at Fort st. Anne,
and the priests mind was afar in
spiritual fields of asphodel
He looked in mild inquiry at the ex-
cited boy. Oh, Father, come quick (!
Airline Du Bots is come down the
river in his canoe an trouble come
with him."
The boy watched him anxiously.
At mention of that name the priests
wits came back, and he rose and has
ltened after the lad through the gate,
and together they hurried toward the
crowd gathered on the shingly beach.
A canoe lay there, fine and slim
and made with cunning craft, that
looked as if it had been shot from the
water half it's running length by a
mighty and imperious hand.
It's duffel was still within-a rifle
leaning in the bow bale of winter
furs, the antlers of a moose.
And, where agroup of youths had
been idly gambling about blanket
spread on the pebbly stretch, its
owner stood.
He was a splendid figure, tall, broad,
thewed like an OK. His white teeth
cleaned in his handsome face, and his
black hair blew in the wind
He was engaged in riotous bur.
lesque of greeting.
"Bien-Henri," he cried loudly
"how fine it is to see you'll"
He grasped the hands of one youth
in a bone-breaking grip. The boy
paled, but stood his ground.
"An' Pierer La Forget"
Again Du Bots, his black eyes dane
ing, crushed mans fingers in his
cruel clasp.
1t was his old trick, famed afar
wherever the tales of his strength
were told.
"Also my OIL frien' Cosan"-and he
reached once more.
But Cosan, being so addressed
merely laid his fingers on the bowl Of
his pipe, and, looking Du Bots straight
in the eyes, shook his head
The other sobered instantly, his
| laughter died as he stood for a mo
ment undecided.
His black eyes seemed to grow
darker.
49," he said at last, coldly, "yol
refuse me welcome home, M'sieu?
: gone SO long in the loneliness of The
Qu'Appelle? OATS fonny. Come
Cosan-I must teach you better man
ners."
He strobe forward, but Cosan'i
hand slipped to the knife in his sash
Already that trouble which the lac
had prophesied was stirring in st
Anne's.
| Father Tenau, that gentle pourer O
oil on troubled waters, hurried for
ward, but another had arrived before
him.
From the rivers edge, where sht
had been idly casting stones to watcl
their circles on the quiet stream, {
girl came running like flash. TIT
eyes that sparkled in her small fac,
were black as Du Bois' own.
She flew in between the men, ant
faced the newcomer, hands on slim
hips, wrath in her piquant face.
"Bully!" she cried with fine scorn
Coward! Because lie bon Dieu made
you big like the OK you think you cal
run over all others. Non! You can
not. I-even look you down-so-
and bid you mind your own affairs
The hand of Cosan you shall no
crush. / want that hand-I, Marcellt
Morand-to work for me in the flu
ture. You shall not spoil my prop
erty!"
For moment the man stopped
staring at her, then a1e threw back his
huge head and laughed immoderately
"Ah, voila" he cried, re little
ruffle' partridge! She defy re panther
Non, mon enfant, re big cat eat ze
foolish bird" and with one long stride
he swooped forward, leaned down
caught the girl about the knees an6
flunfi her on his shoulder.
Her small feet beat wildly on his
hip and her failing hands were gath
cred in one of his as he strobe away
toward the post, still laughing. There
was movement in the group behind
led by Cosan with his knife. But Du
Bots, as If warned by some seventh
sense, turned sharply round, crouched
and waited, his eyes upon them. AT