Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-02-11
CHAPTER Ix-cOntinued


-You met that skunk, did your he
rasDed. his control gone. Then, get.
ting himself in hand. he went on
"And the people at Wailing River
did you stop theref"
Could the free-trader have read the
thoughts Of the man who faced him.
as he asked for news OF the doomed
post he would have started as one
starts at the warning Of rattler. For
the mention OF Wailing River stirred
a fierce desire IN Steele TO mangle
with his bare hands the man who
thought to obtain Denise st. 9nge
by bribery. But the bronzed face OF
the American masked his turbulent
thoughts as he Intentionally draw'ed,
watching Lafiamme's eyes:
swell. it's a long story. Queer case
WailIng River. very interesting to an
ethnelegist-llke myself They've had
a hard summer
Steele knew from the quick interest
IN the others fsce that he had won
that however deep was Lafiamme,s
dlstrust OF his motives In taking the
Ogoke trail, the desire for news Of the
girl at waIllng River. for an inkIing
OF the nature Of st. Onge's answer to
his offer. would result in an invita-
tion to spepd the night at the post.
And he smiled lnwardly as the man
ner OF Lafiamme swiftly CHANGED.
sAIademoiselle st. 0nge-was she
well?"
Why. ms to that, ! hardly know
what to say" Steele answered. Las
celles showed up there Just as ! left"
"What? Lascelles at Wailing Riv-
err exploded Latiamme. patiently
knocked Off his feet at the news
"Wbat-what has happenedl He's
not going to marry her this fallT'
"No. he's not going to marry her
this fall" SO emphatic was Steele's
fone-so final the statement that It
drew from Lafiamme a sldelong glance
of curiosity, In the course of his rest
less pacing of the landing.
what brought him up river then?'
"why, this WindiEo trouble lied
Steele, anxious to learn If Pierre had
brought the news to 0eoke.
The eyebrows Of the Frenchman
lifted in surprise.
"wlndIgo troubIe7 What do you
mean. Mr.. Steele?"
Steele was confident that Lahamme
was descending.
"Why. haven't you heard that the
wailIng valley is overrun by man-eat-
ing WindIgoes?" he laughed. closely
watching Lafamme's dark face. But
though, moment before, the trader
had made no effort to conceal his emo
ton at the mention OF Denise st. 0nge.
Steele now looked into cryptic eyes.
Mon Dieu. no You mean to say
that the Indians are frightened?"
Eyes. you might call 1t that" said
Steele. facetiously, although / think
that would make It a bit stronger.
You don't believe in the Windlgo, Mon
sIeur LafiammeT'
Lafiamme smiled. you are a joker.
Mr. Steele. We will discuss the Indian
superstition tonight over some-a-ex-
cellent whisky. II you like. You wiz
do me the honor TO dine with me-and
my-sister, Mademoiselle Rose La
famine"
THANK you :. And Steele, accom-
panied by Antoine. Of the SCARED face.
returned to the canoe. delighted that
his interview, which had started so In
auspiciously. had closed with an invi-
tation to pass at least one night at the
post.
While he shaved and changed his
clothes In the shack assigned to him.
and whittier Lafiamme. with marked
hospitality, had sent hot water from
his kitchen. Steele held a council Of
war with David. who had made q
hasty reconnaissance Of the post.
did you see PierreT
NO but / smell plenty whisky on
de Injun."
~How many hunters are there here
stin7"
'Seex-seven-tip here Queer
ting. wen ask why dey are not on
de trap lines. one Of dem say dey not |
hunt does long SHOWS"
How many post servants has ne
got-there are eight cabins7"
~Good nance"
did they 4peak Of wailins River or
the windigoT
sNo."
why DO you suppose he Is feeding |
ell these bush IndIans-what Is he
using them for7-
David's dark features gtiffened as
his eyes sought a crack in the floor.
Steele paused In his shaving 70 glance
quIzxicaIly at his friend
sOh. well" he laughed Il suppose
you've promised Michel not to tell
me what you think Of anything you
see here. must wait until Novem-
ber.r
The Ojfbway rose. rested hand on
the shoulder Of his chief. -Eet ees
not 70. boss; but l promise Aiichel
something. Sometam you know
THAT'S all right, David; want you
to keep your promise, bat don't you
me khnf 4 maRhf get more out OF La