The midland journal., 1946-11-01

and speaking in French, II shall re-
main here"
Suddenly cries arose from the di-
rection Of the wharf. A man came
striding along it, man in a spruce
blue suit, with fur coat with black
lamb collar. A man of about forty
years, with trim black moustache,
an intelligent face, lounging, stud
led carelessness in his walk-Hor-
ace Broussac.
Still that silence persisted, until
Broussac came up to where Mark
confronted Madeleine Kinross. He
raised his black lamb cap, and Of
fered Mark his hand. Mark saw
no reason to refuse to take it.
"You gave me fine chase, young
man." said the lawyer. Lucky
had friend who was willing to
lend me his yacht. And I hear you
nearly got drowned last night into
the bargain"
HE says he will not CO." said
Madeleine, wringing her hands.
"How much money does he need
to go, Cousin Horace?"
(Which is precisely the point"
said Broussac, speaking in English
now, which Mark could see nobody,
not even Madeleine or the cure, un-
derstood. He motioned Mark foot
or two away. He shook his finger
in kindly reproof.
Legally nobody can deny your
right to the lease I signed with you
on behalf of my ward last fall," he
said. Madame Kinross is now of
age. That does not cancel the
lease. But she feels so strongly
against the intrusion of outsiders
into st. Victor, against the aliena-
tion of her late husbands lands,
that l am forced to ask you for a
cancellation.
"Since the lease was signed, her
fortunes have improved through a
wise speculation. In brief, Mon
sieur, if you had written me, in
stead of rushing up here, and near
ly losing your life, I should have
offered you five thousand dollars for
the cancellation of that lease"
Mark wondered what other pro-
spective lessee Broussac had got,
and how much more he was willing
to pay, that he should be willing to
make that offer.
'I'm sorry-no," he replied. "The
contract stands" .... .s....,......
Broussac's face grew red. "Un-
derstand, Mr.. Darrell, l am not to
be bargained with," he cried. "If
you are holding out for six, I-might
pay six. Not cent more. Come,
you have lost nothing. What do
you say?"
"The lease stands" answered
Mark. "That's ALL"
That's your last word?"
"It is"
"And how do you think you are
going to run the mill at a profit in
this fishing and sealing country,
when even failed? How are you
going to operate in the face of the
universal opposition of these people?
They don't want outsiders. They
won't work for you. You'll lose ev-
erything."
'That's your last word?" asked
Mark. "Then listen to me. I'll
run that mill, and if I encounter
any opposition from you, or any
more violence, such as has occurred
this morning, l shall hold you per-
sonally responsible, Monsieur Brous-
sac. ! shall likewise take it up with
the Bar Association. My hackers
are not without influence at Quebec.
Now it's up to you."
Broussac's face was a study in
mottled red and white. He began
breathing hard, like man who has
run a race. He watched Marks
face closely.
Every WE'LL" he answered. "Try
to run the mill. There shall be no
opposition from me, no violence. But
try-only try!" He raised his voice
in French. Monsieur Darrell has
come here to work the mill, and to
ship lumber" he shouted. eff any
man here annoys him in any way,
I promise him six months in the
Quebec jail. VOLTA! I trust" he
continued suavely, "that we shall
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