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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1938-05-19, Page 8PAGE SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1938 ois Brute "My thanks to my inseructor," and catching the spirit of -her enoc;kery, I swept her a courtly bow. "There! There!" she cried, dropping raillery as soon as I took it up. "You were ceoss at the window. I was ,cross on the !flats. You nearly wreacleed my hand off—" 'Can you lelame me?" I asked. "And to pay me hack 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 not 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 adtied incon- sistently, "if—if—youll 'keep one end of the plaid for yonrself, 111 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 hared in'tc mine, 1 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 Port 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. "Oh! Little Statue! Why 'have you been so hard on us?" I began. "Us?" she asked. "Ile—then," and I gulped down my embarrassment. eBecause—" "Because what?" "No what. Jest 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 al" "Only wisdom?" "You be careful! There'll he anoth- er told plun,gel Tell me about your friend's wife, Miriam," she answered, changing the subject. And what I related my strange mis- sion and she murmured, "Haw moble," I became a very Samson of strength, ready to vanquish an army olf 'Philis- tine admirers with the jawbone of my inflated self-confidence—provided, al- ways, one queen of the combat were looking on. "Are you cold, now?" I asked, though the trembling had ceased. No, she was not cold. See was quite comfortable, and the answer came in vibrant 'tones which were as wine to a young man's heart "Are you tired, 'Frances?" aad the was accompanied lby "a little laugh, which spurred more question- ing for no other ,purpose than to hear the music of her voice. Now, what was there in those replies to cause happi- ness? Why have inane answers to in- ane, tim;orous question,s transformed earth alto paradise ,an,c1 mortals into angels? "Do yo,u find the way very far— Frances" The flavor of some names tempts repeated Meting. 'Very ler?" came the response in an amused voice, "find it very far? Yes I -do, quite far—oh No—I don't. Ohl I don't ,knowl" She broke into a joyous laugh at her own .canfasion, gaining more self-possession as as I lost mine; and out she slipped front tht plaid. el wish it were a thousand times friether," and I gazed ruefully at the &Acts that trailed empty. What other absurd things I might have .said, 1 cannot tell; but we were it the font and I had to wrap the tar- tan 'disguise about myself. Stooping I h,ael not the courage to give them to her, and dropped tthem without her knowledge. She gave th'e ,pa,ssword at the gate. I was taken for a 'Selkirk Highlan,d,er ,ahd we easily gained en- trance. A man 'brushed past es in the gloom of the courtyard. He looked impudent- ly down into her face. It was La- planee, and my whole frame :filled with a furious resentment which I had not guessed eould he possible with me. "That Frenchman," she whispered, but his figure vaniehed among the buildings. She showee me the council hall where Eric could be found, "And where do you go?' I ease,' stupidly. , She indicated the quarters where the settlers had taken refuge. I let her te the door. Are you sure you'll he safe?" "Oh! Yes, ,quite. as long as the set- tlers are here; and you, you will le me know when the priest sets out for Pemibina?" I vowed more emphatically than the case required that she should know. "Are there no dark halls in there uns-afe for you?" I questioned. "None," and she went up the first step of ehe 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 a'bsently. She was on the top step, pulling the latch -string of .the great ,door. "Stop! Frances—dear!" I cried. She stood motionless and I felt ehat this last rashness -of an unruly tongue —too frank by far—had finished me. 'What? Can I do anything to re- pay yen for your trouble ie bringing ole here?" "I've ,been repaid," I answered, ebta 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. "T'here, Sir Knight," she returned, hastily putting out her band, w,hice was not what 1 wanted, but to ,which I gratefully paid my devoir. "Art ea - defied?" she asked. "Till the .Queen deigns more," and I paused for a reply. She lingered on the thre_sholci as if she meant to c.oine ,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 mice, ,as of some happy bird in springtime, trilling front the hall where she had gone, and a new song made music in my own heart. CHAPTER XI. Time was when Port Douglas rang as loudly with mirth .ai assembled traders as ever Fort William's council hall. Often ;have I heard veterans of the Hudson's Bay service relate bow 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. eleow stands the hour -glass?" the governor of the feast, who was fre- quently also the governor of the com- pany, w-ould roar out in stentorian tones, that made themselves heard ab,ov,e the drunken ,brawl. "High, Your Honor, high," some flunkey .of the drinking 'bout w;ould bawl back. Thereupon, another grain was pick- ed :from ehe jar, another ,flagon tossed down an,d the revel 'went on. 'eais was a ,usual oecurrence before and after the conflict 'with the Nora-Westers. But the night that I -climbed the stairs af the main ware house and, muster- ing up assurance, stepped into the ,hall as if 1 belonged to the fort, or the fort belonged to me, there was a different I picked a ;Winch of .dog.roses erow_f scene. A wounded man laY on a litter in,g by the path, then ;felt foolish, aor at tee end of the tong, low room;' and the traders ,sitting on .the benches a, 11 S t the walls, or .standing aimless- ly about, were talking in su-ppresse,d tones. Sc,otehmen, ,driven from :their farms by the Bois-Brales, hang around in anxious 'groups. The lan- terns, suspended on iron hooks from mid -meter, gave but 'a -dusky and I vainly scannerl many laces or Eric Hamilton. That he was ,watincled, I knew. I was stealing stealthily to- wards 'the stretcher at the far end of the ;e1-a-ce, when a deep voice Iburre-d rough saentation in .my ear. "Hao are ye, genie?"It was a ahaggyebrowed, bluff Scatchenan, who evidently took me in my tartan dis- guise for a Highland lad. Whether he meant, "How ,a,re y,ou," or ',Who are you," I was not certain. Afraid my tongue plight betray me, I ;mut- tered :back in indistinct response. The Scat was either suspicious, or offen,e- ed by my chureishness. I slipped off quickly to a dark corner, 'bat I sa,vv 'him tying me closely. A youth brush- ed pest humming a ditty, wbieh seem- e,d strangely ,out of place in those sur- roundings. He stood an ellbow's length from me and Sacked meccas- ined heels against th.e ;floor in the way of Eghtehead,e.d lads. Both the air apd the young fellow vaguely recalled somebody, but his back was, towards me. .1 -was measuring eny comrade, wondering if I might inquire where Hamilton could 'be femme ashen the lad turned, an,d I was face to face with the whiskered ;babe Of Poet William. He gave a long, low whistle. "'Ga;d4" he ;gasped. "Do my eyes tell lies? As I ive, eis' your very self! Hang it, now I thought yau 'were one of those solid bodies wouldn't do any turn -coating--" eTern-coatin.g1" I repeated in am- azement. One of those 'dray -horse, old'relia- ;bles, wouldn't kick oeer the traces, not if the 'boss pumped his arms off licking you! Hang it! I'm not that s,ort! By gad, I'm not! :ree got too many oats! I can't stand being jawed gee -hawed by D,unc. Cameron; so when the old Gov. threatened to ,doc,k me for being full, I eust kicked up my heels and came. But -say! I 'didn't think you would, 'Gillespie!" "No?" said I, keeping my own counsel and waiting for the Nor' - ,West deserted to proceed. • aWbeed y' do it for, 'Gitlespie? You're as sober as cold ,water.1 Was it old Cameron?" "You're not talking weight, bake," said I. "You 'know Cameron doesn't nag his men. What did you ,do it for?" "Eh?" and the :lad gave a laugh over my challenge of his veracity. "See here, ale pal, 1'11 tell you tf you tell Inc." '"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! 'reat's the way of it, is it?" So the :boy was selling NereWestera secrets. 'You can bet your ,last beaver -skin it 'is! Do you think I was old ,Cam's private secretary for nothin'? Not I! I say—get your wares as you may and sell 'ent to the highest ;bidder. So bere 1 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, 'Gillespie, Ien 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 his bones," was nty advice. It needed no great 'pe'culation to guess who the Frenchman was; and in the hands of that crafty rake this prattling 'babe would be as putty. "Pahl You're jealous. ,Gillespiel We're rig -ht 00 the inside track!" -Lots of confidential talks with her, I suppose?" "Talks! Pahl. You gross fatty! Why, Gillespie, what d,o you 'know of' such things? Laplante can win a girl by jus•t looking at her -French way. you ,know—he can pose better than a poem!" "Blockhead," I ground out between my teeth, a -feeling taking possession of me, which is 'designated "ineigna- eon" in the first ,person 'but jealousy in the second and third. You stupid simpleton, that Laplante is a villain who will turn your addled pate and work you as an ,otd wife kneads dough." "What do you • 'know a'bout La- plante?" be deman.ded hotly. "I know he is an accoenplislfed blackguard," I ;answered quietly, "and if you want to spoil your .chances with the Little Statue, just prance round in his company." ,The led was too much surprised to speak.. . "Where's Hamilton?" I asked. "Find • him :for yourself," said lie -aingeoff in a 'h'uff. atori. Near the litter was a group ocie:rkIgse.d cautiously near .en,ough the t al,arn wounded man to pee that he w,as "They're .focas," .one ,clerk was in - orating the others. "Cameron sent word heel have McDonell dead or; alive. If ,he ,cloesna give himself ;up. this forte] go' and ,the wihole settle ment be massacred." "Been altogether too high-handed anyway," answered ,anether. 'Pt)t loyal to ,my company; but Lord Sel. lark can't sot up a military ,despotisn here. Been altogether :better if we';dt left the lallor'eWesters atone." "It's 'all the .fault of that ,cecky lit- tle mactinet," ,cleciare,d a third. "I say," exclaimed a man joining the ,group, ed'y' ;hear the news? Am' the' c'hielfs in there—" eerking his thumb towards a 'side ,door—" are -ed_ vising Captain McDotell to give him- self 'up and save the 'fort." 'Good' thing. ndss bim? , Heel o-nly .get free trip to :Montreal,, rernenked one ,of the aggeessiv;es in this ;group. "I tell you, men, both companies have gone a 'deal too far in this little slap-baok game to he 'keen for legal investigation. Why, at Sour- is, everybody knows---;—" He lowered his voice and I uncon- sciously moved from my dark corner to her the Test "Hoo are ye, gillie?" said the :burly Scot in 'my ear. Turning, I found tbe canny swain had •falleveed 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 refleeted that if "the ,chiefs"—as the Hudson's Bay man bad 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 ;friend had taken some one into his confi,c1- ence and two men were now on my 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 out could prevent nte. I founa myself in the middle of a long apartment with low, sloping ceiling, 'and deep window recesses. It 'had evidently been parti- tioned off from the main hall; for tee wall, ceiling and floor made an exact triangle. eat one .end of the place was a table. Round this was a group of men ,deeply en,grossed in some sort <a' coaference. 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 be 'difficult to have access ;to ton, He was' lying on a stretcher with. in galking range of the talbte and tied one arm in a sling. Now, I :hold it Ls harder for the unpractised man t play ,spy with everything in eis favor. than for the adept to act that role against the impossible. One is with- out the art that foils -detection. The other can 'defy detection. So I stood inside with my 'Amid on the door lest the .click of the eloeing latch shoeld rouse attention, but had no thought of prying into Hudson's Bay secrets, "Your Honor," began Hamilton in a lifeless manner, which told me his search lied been bootless, and he turn- ed languidly towards a puffy, crusty, military gentleman, whom, from the res,pect shown him, .I ju.dged to be Governor elcDonell, "Duncan Camer- on's warrant for the arrest is perfectly legal. If Your Honor should sueren-de er yourself, you will leve Fort Dong - las for the Hudson's Bay Company. Besides, the whole arrest will prove a farce. The law in Lower Canada pro - sides no machinery for the trial of cases occurring----" Here Hamilton came to a blank and unexpected stop, for his eyes suddenly alighte.c1 on me trial a look what ;forba,de recognition and fled furtively baek to the group ai the taele. I understood and kept si- lent. -"For -the trial of .cases occurring?" aeked the „governor sharply. eOcc,urrieg—here," added 'Hanel ton. shooting out the last word • as i his ace. had given him a' eudden twinee. "send se I say. 'Your Honor vill lose nothing by giving yoursef up to the NoreWesters, an,d will save Fort Douglas for the Haelsote's Bay." "The doctor tells rne it's a com- 'pound fracture, You'll find it painful, Mr. 1-Intelton," said Governor' Mc Donell 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 rflag," began the gallant 'cap- tain, "'hut if a free 'trip from here bo Montreal satisfies those fools, "Well said! Brava! Your Honor," exclaimed a shaggy meinther 'of the council, bringing his ,fi,st ,d,own ,on the ta,ble with a th;ue. 'I c,all ;that diplo- macy, outmanoeuvring the enemy! Your Honor sets an ,example for abid- ing by the lawe you obey 'the warrant. They must follow the example and leave ,Fort Doisalee alone.," -"Besides, I .eam, let .a-Iis Lordship' know front Montreal jpst what rein, UedCap:MM. McD,oneile. 'with a euri- orcements are ,n,ee..ded here," jeontin- (los disregard for the law' winch ,he orofessed to he obeying -and ,a'faith- ' u I - zea at' Lord Selkirk. Hamilton was looking- 'anxiously. at, me with an expression . of warning which I coned not folly read. Then I felt, wh.at every one most have felt at some time, that a third ,person was watching us both. Follewing Eric's glance to a dark 'window' recess 'direct- ly 'opposite ;the door where I ,stood, I was horrified and rivited lby :the beady, glistening,' insotent eyes ,of 'Looms La - Mame, gazing out of .the dusk with an expression of ra'kis'h amusement, the amusement of a spider when a fly walks into its ,web. Taken unawares I have ever been more or less of 'whet Mr. ;Pack MacKenzie was wont to call "a stilted loonl" On ,disecevering. La- plante I promptly 'sustained nty zepa- tation by ;letting the ,door fly to with a sbarp cliok that startled the whale room -fele Whereat Louis 'Laela,nte gave a low -set lategb: ' .. .... - "What ,do you wane here, man?" dea mand.ed Governor a\lcDeneles ,sharp n'icere. Jrlcin,g. off My cap, I saluted. "My man, Your Honor," inteejected Eric 'quietly, "Come here, 1Rufu,s," he commanded, motioning me to 'his side with the hauteur ef a master towards a servant. And Louis Laplante rose and tipathed after me with a tigerish malice that recalled the surly squaw. "Oh, Eric!" I ceded ,aut eagerly. "Are you hetet, mg] at 'mita a time?" Uncons;cioesly. I was playing into Louis' 'hands, for he stood ay the stove, l'au'ghing nonchalantly. Thereupon :Eric ,groond out some imprecation at my stupidity. "There's been a shuffling of allegi- ance, I hear," -he said with a <peer misleading look straight at Leplante. "We're recruits front Fort :Gibraltar." Eric's words, curiously enough, ba- nished triumph :from Laplante's lace and the Frenchman's expression was one of puzzle.d suspicion. :From Eric's impaseive features, he could read no- thing,. What Hamilton was driving at. I should 'Presently learn; 'bat to find Mg I would no more take' my eyes from, Laplante's than from a tiger about to spring, At once, to get my attention, Hamilton 'brought a slick down on my toes with a eharpnest that made nte leap. By all the codes of nudges and kicks and such signaling-, 11 15 a principle that a blow at one end of hymen anatomy drives 'through the density of 'the other extremity. It dawned ,on me that Eric was trying to persuade Leplante I had deserted the NoreWesters for the Hudson': Bay. The ethics of his -attempt I .clo not defend. It was after the facile fa- shion of an intriguing erae.A :sharper weapon was 'presently ,giren 11, against Laplante; for when I grasped Eric's &tick to stay the raps against my feet, / felt the handle rough with o carving. "leihat are these carvings, may I in- quire, Sir?" I ,asked, assuming the strangeness, which Eric's signals had directed, but never moving my eyes from Laplante. The *Main, who had befocded me in the gorge and eluded me in the forest, and now tormentec' Frances Sutherland, winced under my watchfulness. "The carvings!" answered Eric. an noyed that I sikI lot return his .plain signals and determined to get my eye. "Pray look four Yeurself I Where are your eyes?"- , "I can't see in •thia poor light, Sir; bed 'I also have a strangely carver' thing—a spear -head. Now if this head has no handle arid this 'han'dle has re heate—thW , might -,fit:e I went on watching Laplante. whose saucy as- surance was ;deserting him. "Spearehea;d1" exelihned Hamilton, beginning to understand I too had my clesign."Where did you find it?" "Trying to 'bury itself in my'bead," leknave. smiled graeiouely in my .aery face. thrned. At ehis, La..plarite, the "But it didn't succeed?" "asked H,a- milton. • "No—it mistook me for a. tree, missed the mark and 'went into the tree; justaas another friend of min, mistook me for a tree, hit the mark and ran inge me," and I smiled bacls at Laplante. His face clouded: That reference to the 'scene on the teach where his 'Hudson's Bay despatche, were stolen, was too much :for this he blood. "Here it is," I continued, puul- ing the spear -head out of my 'plaid. I had brought it 16 Hamilton, hoping to identify our enemy, ,and we did "Please see if t'hey fit, Sir? We might identify our—friendsl" ,and I searchet. the fertive, guilty eyes of the:French- maJ1. Dat frien'," muttered Louis with a threatening look at me, "dat frien' of Mister Hamilton the spike good Eng- lish for Scot' youth." Now Louis, as I remembered from Leval 'days never. mixed his English and French, except when 'he Was in passion Ifurioes beyond all control. "IFit!" cried Hamilton. "They!re perfect fit, and both carved the same too," 'With' what?" "Eagles," answered Eric, puzzled at my drifts and Louis Laalante wore the last look of the tiger !before it springs 'And eagles," said I, defying ' the spring' 'gnify that 'both tbe spear- heae and ate spear -handle belong to -PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. E. A. Mclee.AIST'ER—Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, Univers- ty of Toronto, and of the New Yort Post Graduate Sehool an,d Hospital. Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Office on leteh street. Phone 27. Office fully equip'ped' for x-ray diagnosis and for ultra ,short wave electric treatrnent, uttra violet sun lamp treatment and infra red electric treatment. Norse in attendance. DR. GILBERT C. JARROTT — Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, Un- iversity of VVesteen Ontario. Member of College of Physicians and Surgeons af Oaterio. Office 43 Goderich street west. Phone 37, Hours 2-4.30 pan., 7.30-9 (ether hours by appoint- ment. Successor to De, Chas. Mackay 'DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician a,nd Surgeon Late of London Hos. pital, London, England. Special at- tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose are throat. Office end eesidence bellied Dominion Bank, Office Phone No 5; Residence Phone 104. DR. F. J. BURROVVS, Seaforth, Office and residence, Godericb street, east of the United Chuech. Coroner for the County of Huron. Telephone No. 46. DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose a'nd Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- nic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- als, London. At Commercial Hotel, ;eaforth, third Wednesd'ay in each nonth from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. DR. W. C. S-PROAT Physician - Surgeon 'hone 90-W. Office John St, Seaforte Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed kuctioneer for the County of Huron. errangements 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, Saes Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, 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„ SEAFORTH, ONT. .All kiwis of Insurance risks effect- ed at 'lowest rates in First -Class Companies, THE McKILLOP Molual Fire Insurance Co HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea' forth; Vice Piesidene, Wiliam Knox, Londesthoro; Secretary Treasurer, ef A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. MeKereher, RR.% Dublin; John E. Pepper, R,R..1, Brucefield; E. R G. jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wen, Yeo, DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Sea,forth No. 3e james Sholdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Lonclesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornbalm No. 1; Frank McGregor, Olinbon No. 5; Jemes Connodly, God- eirich; Alee. McEwing, Blyth Ne. 1: themes Moylan, Seafterth No. 5; sVm. R. Archibald, Sealorth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact calier business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above • named officer: addressed to their respective post - offices. the Sio.ux chief whose daughter"—and I lowered my voice to a whisper which only Laplante and Hamilton could, hear —"is married—to Le— ,G,rand—Diable!" "What!" came 'Hamilton's low cry of agony, iFongetting the :fractured arm, be sprang erect. And Louis Laplante staggered back in the dark 'as if we 'had struck "Laplantel Laplante! Where's that Frenchman? Bring :him .tip here!" cell- ed Governor McDonell's thissy, angry tones. • Coming when it slid, "this .demend was to Louis a bolt of judgment; and . he joieed the conference with a face as gray as ashes. (To be continued) Send us the names of your visitors.