Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-02-18
cHAPTER Ix-continued

Of the effect.
"Pretty words from heem?" Sh
laughed bitterly, "that ees a Joke
No pretty words from heem since III
lady, who will marry Easceftes at Al
bany. drive heem crazee. Ell, Louis? ?
Lafamme scOwled into her mockin
eyes, but was silent. He rose and lee
his guest to the living room. Thei
the sound of voices outside attrGcte'
his attention. and shortly. the 9th
way girl appeared and spoke to hin
In a whisper.
You will excuse me for a LITTLE
while7 / am called to the trade
houseY' At the door he added will
a brutal laugh, Help yourself to the
cigarettes and whisky. And-a-Ros'
Will keep you entertained. no doubt"
Steele wondered If David had run
into trouble If the trader we're fres
with liquor with his men. which
seemed improbable, David might have
been set on, but the 0jibway was toe
wise to imperil his chief or their
plans.
Following the slam Of the outer
door the girl rose, placed her fingers
warningly on her lips and tiptoed out
of the room, leaving Steele curious,
uneasy. He heard talking in low
tones from the direction of the kitch-
en-, then she returned, and walking to
his chair. looked quizzically down.
Are you as much of a man as you
Iook?" she demanded.
How long before Lafiamme sur
prises us, mademoIselle?" he coun-
tered. forcing yawn, having no in
tention of playing into Lafiamme's
hands.
"You theenk Pm working for that
beast? Are you blind? Can't you
see he's done with me?" She began,
dramatically, then, "Why did you
look ut heem that way before dinner2
/ saw you'll You stabbed heem with
your eyes. You needn't deny L. You
hate heeml whyT"
"You are mistaken. mademoiselle. /
never met Lafamme before today"
you Iiel But you are suspicious;
you theenk thees Is a game-theenk
he ees listening. Don't you see hat
ees why l went QUITO learn II he
had left the house? Oh, you can trust
me This ees the naked truth. ]
would kill heem tonight If I could get
away. But you-why c. you hate
heem. too?"
docs Laf'esnme suspect me-" he
asked. ignoring her question.
mo. he ksows you are what you
claim to be-
what do ySu want me TO DOR
Mon Dies, Get me out Of dees
place-take ne with youl He's keep
ing me hers Lecause / know too much.
He's afraid weel talk"
'Talk shout what - the whisky
trader
She lowered her voice to a whisper.
'eFhe WHISKY ees not aIi-you would
not belieys me II told" A door
closed oufEide, and Lafiamme entered
the room.
"Ah. Ihis is most unromantic. mon
eieur," Le protested, hand raised in
mock GESTURE. Il return suddenly, to
nnd y9R still in your chair-aIone."
Ste@is was on his feet. MY man
David In any trouble7 he snapped,
ignorihg the sarcasm.
"Oa. 1t wasn't his fault. Baptiste
fanoies he's strong. and took bold Of
him"
What's happenedT Steele's blood
heated at the possible harm to David.
ten to one at the trade
house
Lafiamme raised deprecating hand.
Nothing. nothing at all. I'm glad OF
III Your man cracked some OF Bap-
tiste's fingers-just squeezed his hand
and Baptiste had enough He always
was a bit yellow"
''But will Baptiste follow this up7
don't want trouble here. Where Is
David now7" Steele was relieved; he
rad feared the worst. But that meant I
hat David and he would leave the {
,ost in the morning. He knew his
II would lie dangerous {
o stay-and as yet nothing had been
earned from the girl
Il sent them all to bed. Baptiste I
WON'T follow 1t up. Antoine is with {
I'm. I'm boss here" laughed the '
raider. s
Then Steele was aware OF the at q
ention Of q pair Of shining eyes "Ah.
/ was magnificent. monsieur-the way {
on looked" said the girl. -YOur eyes
yere like your name-of steel"
~You are embarrassing, mademol- i
ellie"
~You must excuse Rose this eve
Ing" said Lafiamme with q grimace- g
she has not seen q white man In o .
earl Not but what she's sincere, n
az whisky makes her think out loud. n
Oesn't II. Roster"
II the glitter Of black eyes could h
ave killed, Lafamme would have L
ct sudden deafh- Instead. be ~ o.
iad the glasses. willis Steels's nind