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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1938-05-19, Page 6PAGE SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1938 Bois Brules "My thanks to my instructor," and catching the spirit of her mockery, I swept her a courtly lbow. "There! There!" she 'cried, dropping raillery as soon as I took it up. You were oross at the window. I was •oross on the Eats. You nearly wrenched my hand off—" Can you Ilalame me?" I asked. "And to pay me back you turned my head and stole my heart—" 'Hush!' she interrupted. 'Let's clean the slate and begin again." "With all my heart, if you'll wear this tartan and stop shivering." I was riot ready to ;consent to an .uncondi- tional surrender. 'I hate your 'ifs' and 'buts' and so much given for so much got," she ex- claimed with an impatient, little stamp, "but—but—" she added incon- sistently, "if—if—y,oull keep one end of the plaid for yourself, I'll take the other." "Ho—hol I like 'ifs' and 'buts.' Have you more of that kind?" I laughed, whisking the !fold about us both. Drawing her hand into min.e. I kept it there. "It isn't so cold as—as that, is it?" asked the voice under the plaid. "Quite," I returned valiantly, tight- ening my clasp. She laughed a low, mellow laugh that set my heart, beat- ing to the tune of a trip-hammer, I 'felt a great intoxication of strength that might have razed Tort Douglas to the ground and ;conquered -the whole world, which, I dare say, other young men have ,felt When the same •kind of weight hung upon their pro- tection. "011! ,Little Statue! Why have you been so hard on us?" I began, "Us?" she asked. "Me—then," and I gulped ,down my embarrassment. 'Because—." "Because what?" "No what. Just because!" She was astonished that her decisive reason did not satisfy,. " "Because! A woman's reason!" I scoffed. Because! It's the best and wisest and most wholesome reason ever in- vented. Think what it avoids saying and what wisdom may be .behind it!" "Only wisdom?" "You be careful! There'll be anoth- er cold plunge! Tell me about your friend's wife, Miriam," she answered, changing the subject. And what I related my strange mis- sion and she murmured, "How 1toble," I became a very Samson of strength, ready to vanquish an army of 'Philis- tine admirers with the jawbone of my inlflarted self-confidence—provided, al- ways, one queen of the combat were looking on. "Are you cold, now?" I asked, though the trembling had ceased. iNo, she was not cold. She was quite comforta'bie, and the answer came in vibrant 'tones which were as wine to a young man's bears "Are you tired, Trances?" and the was accompanied lby 2 little laugh, which spurred more question- ing for no other .purpose than to hear the music of her voice. Now, vahat was there in those replies to cause happi- ness? Why have inane answers to in- ane, timorous 'questions transformed earth into paradise and mortals into angels? "Do you find the way very far— Frances" The flavor of some names tempts repeated tasting. "Very far?" came the response in an amused voice, ".find it very far? Yes I do, quite far—ohl No—I don't. Oh! 1 don't ;know!" She !broke into a joyous .latigh at her 'own .confusion, gaining more self-possession as as I lost mine; and out she slipped from the plaid. wish it were a thousand times farthet," and I gazed ruefully at the folds that trailed empty. What other absurd things I might have said, I cannot tell; but we were at the fort and I had to wrap tbe tar- tan disguise about myself. S'toopin I picked a ,bunch •of dog -roses grow...) scene. A w,ounded man lay on a litter ing by the .path, then !felt foolish, for at the end of the long, low room; and the traders traders sitting on the 'benches stlost the walls, or standing aimless- ly about, were talking in suppressed I tones. Scotchrnen, 'driven from their 1 farms by the Bois-Brules, hung around in anxious groups. The ,lan- terns, suspended on iron hooks from mid -rafter, gave ;but a dusky light, and I vainly scanned many faces for Eric Hamilton. That he was wounded, f knew. I was stealing stealthily to- wards the stretcher at the Ear end of the 'place, when a 'deep voice burred rough salutation in my ear, "Hoo are ye, .gillie?" It was a shaggy-browed, ;bluff Scotehman, who evidently took me in my tartan dis- guise Inc a Highland lad. Whether he meant, "How are you," or "Who ape you," I was not certain. Afraid my tongue might betray me, I mut- tered !back in indistinct response, The Scat was either suspicious, or offend- ed by any churlishness. I slipped off quickly to a .dark corner, 'bet I saw him •eying me closely. A youth brush- ed .past humming a ditty, Which seem- ed 'strangely out of place in those sur- roundings, He stood an ellbovv's length from me and kicked moceas- ined heels against the floor in the way of light-headed lads. Bath the air and the young fellow vaguely recalled somebody, but his back was towards me. 1 was measuring my comrade, wondering if I might inquire where Hamilton could be found, when the lad turned, an.d I was face to face with the whiskered babe of Font William. He gave a long, low whistle. "Gad4" he' gasped. "Do my eyes tell lies? As I live, 'tis your very self! Hang it, now, I thought you were one of those solid bodies wouldn't do any I had not the 'courage to give them to her, and ,drop;ped them without her knowledge. She gave the .password at the gate. I was taken for a Selkirk Highlander ahd we easily gained en- trance. A man 'brushed past us in the gloom of the courtyard. He looked impudent- ly down into her face. It was La- plante, and my whole frame 'filled with a furious resentment which I had not guessed could be possible with me. "That .Frenchman," .sh,e whispered, but his figure vanished among the buildings. She showed me the council hall where Eric could be found. 'And where do you go?" I askel stupidly. She indicated the quarters where the settlers h.ad taken refuge. I led her to the door. "Are you sure you'll be safe?" -Oh! Yes, quite, as long as the set- tlers are here; and y'oe, you will let me know when the priest sets out for Pembina?" I vowed more emphatically than the case required that she should know. "Are there no dark halls in there, unsafe 'for you?" I questioned. "None," and she went op the first step of the doorway. • "Are you sure you're safe?" I also mounted a step. "Yes, quite, thank you," and she re- treated farther. "and you, have you forgotten you came to see Mr. ,Hamil- ton?" "Why—so I did," I stammered out absently. She was on the top step, pulling the latch -string of the great door. "Stop! IFrances—dearl" I cried. She stood motionless an.d I felt that this last rashness of an unruly tongue —too frank by far—had finished me. "What? Can I do anything to re- pay you for your troulble is ;bringing me here?" "I've been repaid," I answered, "hut indeed, indeed, long live the Queen! May it please Her Majesty to grant a token to her leal and devoted knight--" "What is thy request?" she asked laughingly. "What token cloth the knight covet?" "The token that goes with good- nights," and I ventured a pace up the stairs. "There, Sir Knight," she returned, hastily putting out her hand, which was not what I wanted, but to which I gratefully paid my devoir. "Art sa- tisfied?" she asked. "Till the Queen deigns more," and I paused for a reply. She lingered on the threshold as if she meant to come down to me, then with a quick turn vanished behind the gloomy .doors, taking all the light of my world with her; but I heard a voice. ,as of some happy bird in springtime, trilling from the hall where she had gone, and a new song. made music in my own ,heart. CHAPTER XI. Time was 'when Tort Douglas rang as loudly with mirth .of assembled traders as ever Fort William's council hall. Often have I heard veterans of the Hu,dson's Bay service relate how the master of revels used to fill an ample jar with corn and quaff a beak- er of liquor for every grain in the drinker's hour -glass, stands the hour -glass?" the governor of the feast, who was fre- quently also the governor of the com- pany, would roar out in stentorian tones, that made themselves heard above the drunken brawl. "High, Your Honor, high," some flunkey of the drinking 'bout would bawl back. Thereupon, another grain was pick- ed from the jar, another ,flagon tossed down and th.e revel went on. 'This was a usual occurrence before an,d after the conflict with the Noe—Westers. But the night that 1 climbed the stairs of the main ware house and, muster- ing up assurance, stepped into the hall as if I +belonged to the fort, or the fort , coned to me, there was a different , turn -coating—" "Turn -coating!" I repeated in am- azement. "One of those .dray -horse, old relia- hies, wouldn't .kick oter the traces, not if the bo aa pumped his 'arms off licking youl Hang it! I'm not that sort! By gad, I'm notl gat too many oats! I can't stand being jawed gee -hawed by Dune. Cameron; so when the old Gov, threatened to dock me for being full, I just kicked up my heels and came. But say! I ,didn't think you •would, 'No?" said I, keeping my own counsel and waiting for the Nor' - West deserted to proceed. 'What'd y' do it for, 'Gillespie? You're as sober as cold water! Was it old Cameron?" "You're not talking straight, babe," said 1. "You know Cameron doesn't nag his men. What ,did you 'do it for?" "Eli?" and the ;lad gave a labgh over my challenge of his veracity. "See here, old pal, 111 tell you n you tell me" "Go .ahead with your end of the contract!" "Well, then, look here. We're not in this wilderness for glory. I knock down to ;the highest 'bidder--" "Hudson's Bay is not the highest bidder." "Not unless you happen to have in- formation they want." "Oh! That's the way of it, is it?" So the !boy was selling Noe-Westers' secrets. "You can bet your last beaver -akin it 'isl Do you think I was old Cam's private secretary Inc nothin'? Not I! 1 say—get your wares as you may and sell 'ent to the highest 'bidder. So here I am, snugly berthed, with nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs, all through judicious — distribution —of — infor- mation," And the boy gurgled with pleasure over his own cleverness. "And say, ,Gi/lespie. I'm in regular clover! The Little Statue's here, all alone! Dad's gone to !Pembina to the buffalo hunt. I've got ahead of all you fellows. I'm going to introduce a French chap, a friend of mine,' "'You'd much better break hi, bones," was my advice. It needed no great speculation to guess who the Frenchman was; and in the hands of that crafty rake this prattling 'babe would 'be as putty. "Pah! You're jealous, ;Gillespie! I.Ve're right on •the inside track!" 'Lots of confidential talks with her, I suppose?" "Talks! ,Pah I. You gross fatty Why, Gillespie, urhat ,d,o you know of such things? Laplante can win a girl by just looking at her—.French way, you know—he can pose better than a poeml" "Blockhead," T ground out between my teeth, a feeling taking possession of me, which is designated "indigna- tion' in the first person 'but jealousy in the second .an,d third. "You stupid simpleton, that Laplante is a villain who will torn your ad.dled pate and work you as an old wife kneads dough." "What do you know about La- plante?" he 'demanded hotly. know he is an accomplisited blackg,uard," 3 .answered quietly, "and if you want to spoil your chances with fit,hi:sconi eee,Lk.i.tt,pleanStatue, jun,d st prance rouin The lad was too much surprised to "Where's •Hamillton?" I asked. "Find him for yourself," said he -Ging .off in a ;huff. I .edged cautiously near .enough the wounded man to seethat he was not ;Hamilton. Near the litter was a group 14"%iir'lecy's;re one ',clerk was M - forming the others. ''''Cameron sent word he'd have McDonell dead or alive. If be ;doesn't give 'himself up, this .fort'll go .and ;the whole Settle- ment be massacred." "Been altogether too high-handed anyway," answered another. 'I'm loyal to my oompa.ny; but Lord Sel- kirk can't set up a military despotism here. Been altogether better if we'd left the INtor'AVesters alone." "It's all the .fault of that cooky lit- tle martinet," declared a third. "I say," exclaimed a man joining the group, 4d'y' hear the news? All the. chiefs in there—" jerking his thumb towards a side door—" are ad- vising Captain McDonell to give him- self up and save ;the 'fort." "Good• thing. Who'll miss him? He'll only get a Tree trip to Montreal," remanked one of the aggressi•v•es in this group. "I tell you, men, both companies have gone a deal too far in ,this little slap -back game to be :keen for legal investigation. Why, at Sour- is, everybody knows—" He lowered his voice and I uncon- sciously moved .from my dark corner to hear ;the rest. "Roo are ye, ginie?" said the body Scot in my ear. Turning, I found the canny swain had followed me on an investigating tour. Again I gave him inarticulate re- ply and lost myself among other co- teries. Was the man spying on me? I reflected that if the chiefs"—as the Hudson's Bay man had called them— were in the side room, Eric Hamil• ton would be among these conferring with the governor. As I approached the door, I noticed my Scotch :frienc had taken some one into his confid ence and two men were now on nty tracks. Lifting the latch, I gave a gen tle, cautious push and the hinges swung so quietly I had slipped into the room before those inside or ou could prevent me. I found myself in the middle of a long apartment with low, sloping ceiling, ancl deep window recesses. It had evidently been ;parti- tioned off from the main hall; for the wall, ceiling and •floor made an exact triangle. At one end of the place wa, a table. Round this was a group o men 'deeply engrossed in some sort of conference. Sitting on the window sills and lounging round the box stove behind the table were others of our rival's service. I saw at once it would he difficult to have access to .,Hamil- ton. He was' lying on a stretcher with- in .talking range of the table and had one arm in a sling. Now, I ;hold it 1.••• harder for the unpractised man to play 'spy with everything in his favor, than for the adept to act that role againat the impossible. One is with- out the art that foils ,detection. The other can defy detection. So I stood inside with my liand on the door lest the slick of the closing latch should rouse attention, tut had no thought of prying into Hudson's Bay secrets. "Your Honor," began Hamilton in it lifeless manner, which told me his search had been bootless, and he turn- ed languidly towards a puffy, crusty, military gentleman, whom, from the respect shown him, judged to be Governor McDonell. "Duncan Camer- on's warrant for the arrest is perfectly legal. If Your Honor should s;urrend- er yourself, you -will have Fort Doug- las for the Hudson's Bay Company. Besides, the whole arrest will prove a farce. The law in Lower Canadapro- vides no machinery for the trial of cases occurring----" Here Hamilton came to a -blank and unexpected stop. for his eyes suddenly alighted on me with a look that :forbade recognition and fled furtively .babk to the group at the table. I under:stood and kept si- lent. "For 'the trial of cases occurring?" asked the governor sharply. "Ocourriug—here." added Haroil-. ton, shooting out the last word- as if his arm. had given him a sudden twinge. "And so I say. Your Honor will lose nothing by giving Yoursei up to the Nor'-Westers. and will save Port Douglas for the Hudson's Bay." "The doctor tells me it'; a com- nound fracture. You'll find it painful, Mr. Harni.lton," said 'Governor Mc- D•onell sympathetically, and• he turn- ed to the papers over which the group were conferring, "I'm no great hand in 'winning victories by showing the white !flag," .began the gallant 'cap- tain, "but if a free trip from here to Montreal satisfies those 'fools, VII -"go." "Well saki! Brava! 1Your 'Honor," exclaimed a shaggy metniber of the council, 'bringing his fist 'clown on the table 'with a thud. "I' call that diplo-, macy, outmanoeuvring th.e enemy! Your Home sets an ,example for abid- ing by the laws you obey the warrant. They must follow the example and leave Fort Douglas alone," 4'Besid.es, 1 tan - let His Lorciship know from Montreal jnst what rein- forcements are .needed here," ;contin- ued Captain., McDonell, with a -curi- ous disregard for the lawwhich he orofessed be obeying, ,and a faith- i;u1 zeal for Lord Selkirk. .Hamilten was looking anxiously at me with an expression of warning which I .could not fully read. Then I felt, what every 'one must have felt at some time, that a third „person 'was watching us lboth. Folio.wing glance do a dark 'window -recess ;direct- ly ;oppoSite the door where 1 stood, I was .1.1crrified and rivited by the heady, glistening,' insolent eyes of 'Looks La- plante, gazing out of the dusk with an expression of rakish anrusernent, the antusement of a spider when a ;fly walks into its .welb., Taken unawares I have ever been more or less of what Mr. Jack MacKenzie was wont' to call "a stupid loon!" lOn ,dis.c.overing. La- plante I promptly .sustained my repu- tation by le•tting the door fly to with a sharp click that startled the whole room -full. !Whereat Louis ,Laglante gave a low -soft laugh: ' ' • ' • . . • . "What do you want here, man?" de- mancled Governor -"McDonell's sharp voice. • Jerking off my cap, I saluted. "My ma•n, Your Honor," intenjected Eric ;quietly. "Come here, Rufus," he commanded, motioning me to his side with the hauteur of a master towards a servant. And Louis Laplante rose and tip -toed after me with a tigerish malice that recalled the surly squaw. "Olt, 'Eric!" I 'cried out eagerly. "Are you hul-t, and at 'such a time?" Unconsciously I was .playing into Louis' hands, for he stood ;by the stove, laughing nonchalantly. Thereupon Eric ground out some imprecation at my stupidity. "There's been a shuffling of allegi- ance, I hear," he said with a queer misleading took straight at Laplante. "We're recruits from Fort Gibraltar" Eric's words, curiously enough, ba- nished triumph from Laplante's face and the Frenchman's expression was one of puzzled suspicion. kFrcnn Eric's impasSive features, he could read no- thing. What Hamilton was driving at. I should 'presently learn; but to find olit I would no mare take my eye, from 'Laplante's than 1 ront a tiger about to spring. At once, to .g•et my attention, Hamilton brought a stick clown on my toes with a sharpness that made me leap. By all the codes .of nudges and kicks an.c1 such signaling, it is a principle that a blow at one end of human anatomy drives 'through the density of the other extremity. It dawned on me that Eric was trying to persuade Laplante I had deserted the Noe-Westers Inc the H,udson': Bay. The ethics .of his attempt I .do not defend. It was after the facile fa- shion of an intriguing era. A sharper weapon was presently given tie 'against Laplante; for when I grasped Eric's stick to stay the raps against my feet, / felt the handle rough with carving. "What are these carvings, may I in- quire, Sir?" I ask -ed, assuming the strangeness, which Eric's signals had directed, but never moving my eyes from Laplante. 'Phe taillain. who had befooled me in the gorge and eluded me in the forest, and now tonnentec' Frances Sutherlan,d, winced under my watchfulness. . "The carvings!" 'answered Eric, an noyecl that I did not return his plain signals and determined to get my eye. "Pray look four yOurselfl 'Where are your eyes?" "I can't are in 'thie: poor 'light, Sir; 'but "I also have a strangely carver' 'thing—'a spear -head, Now if this head has no handle and this ;handle has n, head—thy, might' fit," I went on watching Laplante, whose saucy as- surance was deserting him, "Spear-headl" exclaimed Hamilton, beginning to understand I too hat.1 my degign."Where did you find it?" "Trying to 'bury itself in my head" knave, smiled .gracionsly in my very turned. At . this, Laplante, the "But it didn't succeed?" "asked Ha- milton. "No—it mistook me for. a tree mi --ed the mark and went into the tree: just -as another friend of min, mistook rne for a tree, hit the mark and ran into me," and I smiled back at Laplante. His face clouded: That reference to the 'scene on the •beach where his Hudson's Bay despatche. were stolen, was too much :for his ho blood. ''Here it is." I continued, pull; Mg the spear -head out of my plaid. .1 had brought it t� Hamilton, hoping to dentify our enemy, and we did 'Please see if they fit, Sir? We might d,entify our—friends!" .and I searche( he furtive, ,guilty eyes of the /French- man. ' "Dat hien'," muttered Louis with a hreatenin,g look at me, "dat frien' of Mister Hainilton the spike good Eng- ish ;for Scot' youth." Now Louis, as I remembered from Laval days never mixed .his 'English nd French, except when he was in assion !furious beyond all •control, 'Wit!" cried Hamilton, "They:re a erfect fit, and both carved the same. oo." "With' what?" "Eagles," answered 'Eric, puzzled al my drift, and Lotis Laplante wore the last loolc of the tiger before it springs "And eagles," said I, defying ths spring,'Signify that 'both the ,spear - hear' and the spear -handle belong to PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. E. A. McMASTER—Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, Uaivers- ity of Toronto, and of the New York Post Graduate School and Hospital. Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Office on High street. Phone W. Office fully equipped for x-ray diagnosis and Inc ultra short wave electric treatment, Ara violet sun lamp treatment and infra red electric treatment. Nurse in attendance. DR. GILBERT C. JARROTT — Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, Un- iversity of Western Ontario. Member of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Office 43 Goderich street west. Phone Hours 2-4.30 p.m., 7,30-9 p.m °shec hours by appoint- ment. Successor to Da Chas. Mackay 'DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at- tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose arsi throat. Office and aesidence behind Dominion Bank. Office Phone No 5; Residence Phone 104, DR. F. J. RURROWS, Seaforth. Office and residence, Goderich street, east of the 'United Church. Coroner Inc the County of Huron. Telephone No. 416. DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye gar, Nose rand Throat, Graduate in Vledicine, University of Toronto 1897, Sate Aesistant New York Ophthal- •nic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's I Eye. and Golden Square throat hospi- als, London. At Commercial Hotel, •Ieaforth, third Wednesday in each nonth from 1.30 pm. to 5 p.m. DR. W. C. SPROAT Physician - Surgeon 'hone 90-W. Office John St. Seafortt• Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed auctioneer for the County of Huron. krrangements can be 'made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction- eer for Perth and Huron Counties, Sales Solicited. Terms on Application, Farm Stook, chattels and reel estate property. R. R. No, 4, Mitchell, Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office, . WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SE,AFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies, THE McKILLOP Moho, Fire Insurance Co HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OPFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M A. Reid, Seaforth. .. • AGENTS F.*McKercher, R.R.d, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R. G. jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Hohnesville. DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3;' James Sholdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, 'Llondesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No. 1; Frank Mr.rGregor, Clinton No. 5; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex McEwing, Biyth No. 1; rhomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; vVm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance ir transact otlier business, will 'be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above • named officer: addressed to their respective post - offices. the Sioux chief whose daughter"—and I loweted my voice to a whisper which ;only Laplante and Hamilton could hear —"is married—to Le— Grand—Diable!" 'What!" came ;Hamilton's low cry of agony, 'F'orgetting the fractured arm, he sprang erect. And Louis Laplante staggered back in the dark aa if we .had struck him. 'Laplantel Laplantel Where's that Frenchman? Bring !him ;up herd" call- ed Governor MeDonell's fussy, angry tones. . Coming when it did, "this ,demand was to Louis a bolt of judgment; and he joined the eonference with a face as gray as ashes. (To be continued) Send us the names of your visitors. os6