Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-04-08

In the morning Steele with dlficulty
| persuaded fearful Little Jacques to
accompany him to the bear trap on
the ridge. The Cree with much muir
murlng and many mlsgivings, cast a
hurried look at the twisted features
Of the thing In the trap and turning.
led Steele a mad pace back 70 camp
Then Jacques started with his dog
team for Mailing River with the news
OF the victory.
Before dawn. Michael and David
had left for the scattered camps at
the head Of the lake to dispatch dog
runners east. south and west with the
word that the dreaded Windig0 lay
frozen In bear trap ut Portage lake
for the eyes of all who would jour
ney there to see.
But what. after all. did this victory
this thwartlng OF LafIamme's scheme
to terrorize and depopulate the val
ley-mean to him. Steele asked him
self as he sat beside his fire OF birch
logs that late November morning.
There was no doubt that the Indians,
once they looked at the body Of
Pierre and learned that the 0goke
trader was at the bottom OF Il all
had loosed In their country a madman
with orders, not only to drive them
from their hereditary hunting grounds,
but to kill-would be keen for sen
geance. There would be no lack OF
volunteers among the trappers for
campaign against the free-trader. But
there would be no help from the gov
eminent until spring, and the situa-
tIOn at Walling River demanded Inn
mediate action. No, there was MOTH
Ing to do but pull Lafiamme's teeth at
once. and notify the government later.
But then the defeat OF Lafiamme did
not mean the salvation Of the post
far from II. Lascelles could close |
the post, even In the face Of profit
able future. for the loss of the fur
canoe had put the place badly In debt
to the company. So, with Lafamme
Denise st. Onge seemed no
nearer. Whether he kept the post In
operation or not, the inspector would
never release her from her promise.
The only solution was her fathers
breaking with Revlllon Freres-but
would he do TT Would she allow him
70. knowing the hopeless alternative
le would face7
Then the wind-burned features Of
he man who sat thinking by the fire
contracted with pain as he realized
he presumption. the futiiIty, 30 far
IL he was concerned, of his solicitude
or the future Of those at Wailing
river. Already she had thrust him
rom her. She had condemned him
without hearing In the end. II they
Vou out for st. Onge, and. owing to
THAT had been told the Revlilon people I
{ Montreal. Lasceifes dared not close
he post, he, Steele. would have her
rntitude-her gratitudel when once :
he had come to him with her heart {
D her eyes-had vlbrated like the
trtDg OF a violin TO his touch. had
urned lnstinctiveIy TO him IN her
espairl
In two days Michel and David re-
armed with hunters from the head
the lake keen for a look at the
ody OF the masquerader who had
IT q trail OF terror throughout the
alley Of the WaiIIng. And when they y
~ the thing which had been sent by :
aElamme TO drive them from their
np-lines TO new and strange hunting .
'untry in the upper valley where Q
Ieir trade would go TO 0goke. there .
as a clamor for vengeance. Later
hen dog teams. from the Little Cur =
ut 10 the Medicine hills, had an
Fered the call OF runners from Port
e lake. Michael marshaIed the Glib y
avs at the trap on the ridge aad cd
essed them dramatically In their ma
70 tongue. =
GRO BE coNTTNUED.l ~