White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-05-23
CHAPTER VII
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Claire came to the Mistassini on the
first Of June. 1t was the fifteenth
when they went to what Paul called
the Big gorge, ten miles back in the
rocky forests. This is the date which
will remain long time on the calen
dars of the Supplemented folk north
of Lac st. Jean, because Of the miracle
which happened on IL. 1t Is date
almost to be canonized. Priests speak
Of it, and people point It out, as a
day of infallible proof of the omnip
offence of God.
Lucy Belle Is not remembered,
though 1t was she who planned the
expedition to the gorge. In 1t, besides
herself, were her husband and Paul.
Claire and Carla. For two days pre-
ceding the journey Paul had men on
the rough and narrow trail clearing 1t
of distractions and overhanging limbs
and brush so that they might travel
over I on horseback.
Paul had seen Claire turn white and
tremble at the foamfng unrest Of the
Msstassint beating eternally against
AtS iOShSs JUST as ilC uuJ tCll AOi
shiver. one evening, In deep and
gloomy place in the forest, where the
wind was whistling through the pine
tops over their heads. He had taken
her hand. and her fingers had chung
tightly to his, as If these things which
he loved sent horror through her
On the morning of this eventful fit
teenth OF June, with sunshine and
birds about them, he and Derwent
rode little behind their wives and
(larla, and never had Claire looked
so lovely to him. Her beautiful body
seemed vibrant with the thrill of the
day, her voice was sweet to hear, her
eyes were filled with laughter. until
he could almost make himself believe
she loved the things which she was
facing, and which had so completely
conquered her until now. Her un
halted golden head and Carla's dark
one rode side by side. one shining
radiance in the sun. the other richly
lussrous. with gleaIny pools and seas
of darker shadow in 1t. For half
mile they followed 81 trail so close
to the river that its roaring tumult
drowned fleir voices and cobwebby
drifts OF spray came to wet their
faces Through this Paul rode close
to the side of his wife, and saw her
smile and fight to hide its effect upon
her. Then they struck Indian file int
the narrow. rocky, deeply rooted trait
to tine gorge, with Paul at the head
Of the little procession and Derwent
following last. Occasionally the trail
widened SD that Paul could drop hack
and ride beside Claire. and each time
he noted little more in her face and
eyes the thing she was fighting against
her dislike OF the black forests and
the earthly smelling swamps and the
rock fragments of hills they were
travelling through.
Toward mid-afternoon they came to
the Big gorge. Those who have seen
1t can never forget the spectacle of
It's laundering water tearing Itself out
OF finger of the cavernous Lauren
tians. crashing through the open for
q space in wllirling naelstroms. then
narrowing into sul.en. oily-lnokine
avalanche of irresistible force as II
descends into chasm whose rock
walls become higher and closer. until
at last, its fury and voice disappear
again into the bowels of the Lauren
tians. making the earth tremhle with
it's sllhterranean rumble and roar.