The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-16
CHAPTER w

Jim Stuart watched the distant
islands masking the Northwest COM
pany post slowly clear in definition as
his peterboro rode the liquid miles.
Behind him, squatted on his heels,
padded the worried Pierre Migwan.
In the stern, the thick arms of Omar
Boisvert, in unbroken cadence, pried
the long paddle off his thigh. 1t had
not been easy, the persuasion of Mig
wan, but the promise of absolute pro-
lection from Paradis and food for his
family through the long SHOWS, with a
company job for his dog-team, had at
last prevailed against his fears. AS
for Jim Stuart, his heart beat high
with elation, for, after all, he was to
see her again before she went south
again watch that intriguing smile
break from the corners of her mobile
mouth and her dusky eyes light with
mockery.
And this smooth city man, Mac
Lauren, was he after her as Omar
warned him, or was it merely bust
ness trip to his string Of posts?
The peterboro finally slid between
two islands and "Bonne Chance" as
LeBlond called his fur post, lay before
them, in a large clearing across q
mile of strait. The two-storied, white
washed trade and store-house was
even larger than that at Lake Expanse,
while the number Of cabins struggling
along the shore indicated large staff
of company Indians.
Jim smiled stiffly at the thought of
what Christie demanded of his own
little trading station across the lake
with his two aids, Omar and Esau, in
competition with the resources Of
Louis LeBlond. Then the realization
that within the hour, he might see,
talk to her, drove his business worries
from his mind.
The coming of the peterboro was
drawing curious stragglers to the
beach. Jim saw the door of the large
trade-house open and two men APP
pear, to stand, hands to faces, as II
studying the strangers through binocu-
lars. He turned to the men behind
him. The face of the Indian was har-
ried with fear. Omar grinned while
his Sits Of eyes, buried between
bushy brows and bullying cheekbones,
glinted with the light of anticipation.
That day he should see Louis Lee
Blond humbled, threatened with the
coming of the Provincial police and
his head man, with the sweat of fear
on his face at the story Pierre should
tell.
The canoe slid in to the beach to
chorus of yelps from the post sled
dogs who were driven off by the COM
pany servants gathered to inspect the
arrivals Then LeBlond, accompanied
by MacLauren, reached the beach.
"Good day, Mr.. Stuart" said Lee
Blond coldly, glancing curiously at the
Indian who pressed closely to the
square bulk Of Omar.
Stuart shook hands with the two
men. II have some business with you
gentlemen he said, (which will re-
quire the presence Of my man and
this Indian. Can we talk in the trade
rOom?'
"Of course" answered LeBlond
with a nod toward Pierre. Il know
this man."
"Yes, but your man Paradis knows
him better" added Jim drily. "Can
we have Paradis present at this talk;
he might wish to ask Migwan some
questions?"
"Yes, If you want him." LeBlond
looked quizzically at the speaker,
then sent an Indian in search of
Paradis.
whats all the mystery, Stuart"
demanded MacLaureR with a laugh.
"Goin' to accuse somebody Of muir
derr'
You're a good guesser, MacLauren.'
bit off Jim, and the CLINT in his gray
eyes caused the partners to exchange
surprised looks.
When they stood behind the closed
door of the large trade-room, LeBloni
asked: "Now, to what do we owe the
honor Of your call?'
I'm law courts believe the de-
PENDANT is entitled to be confronted
by his accuser. Well wait for Para
dis" Jim turned to the nervous In
dian whose uneasy eyes alternately
sought the faces of the white men and
shifted appealingly to the wooden
visage of Omar. Now, Pierre, you're
going to tell this story just as you
told 1t to us. Paradis is not going
to put a hard on you or bother you
on the way to the canoe. II he tries
it"
The blood famed into the dark face
of LeBlond as he broke in: You're
pretty free with your talk here.
Stuarti'
Jim's cold, gray gaze met the frown
of the other. "Yeu'll understand when
you hear this story" he said quietly.
ITO BE CoNTINuEDl