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Show I ALICE "oIldI VINCENNES 1 M By MAURICE THOMPSON jj;' , - CopjriKht. 1900, by Ih. BOWEN-MERRILL COMFANr 1 i I I I I I I I I I 1 1 I I I I I I I I I I M 1 II CHAPTER XIV A ritlSO.NKIt OV LOVK ALICE put on her wnrnii'-tt clothe nnd followed Captain Fnnmwortli to the fort, realizing realiz-ing that no plensnnt experience experi-ence awaited her. The wind and ruin still prevailed when they were ready to net forth, and, although It was not extremely ex-tremely cold, a searching chill wont with every throb that marked tho storm's wnvi'.s. No light shone In the village houses. Overhead a gray gloom covered stars and Hky, making the darkness In the watery streets seem densely black. Fnrnsworth offered Alice Al-ice bis arm, but she did not accept It "I know the way better than jou do," she said. "Come on, and don't be nfrnld that I nm going to run. I shall not piny any trick on you." "Very well, mademoiselle, ns you like. 1 trust you." They hastened along until n lantern In the fort shot a hazy gleam upon them. "Stop n moment, mademoiselle," Fninsworth called. "I say, Miss Uous-slllou, Uous-slllou, stop u moment, please." Alice halted and turned, facing him so short und io suddenly that the rapier In his band pricked through her wrap nnd slightly scratched her arm. "What do you mean, nil1?" she demanded, de-manded, thinking that be luul thrust purposely. "Do I deserve this brutality?" brutal-ity?" "You mistake me, Miss Rousslllon. I cannot bo brutal to you now. Do not fear me. I only had a word to say." "Oh, you deem It very polite nnd gentle gen-tle to Jab mo with your sword, do you? If I had one In my hand you would not dnre to' such a thing, nnd you know It very woll." He was amazed, not knowing that the sword point had touched her. He could not see her face, but there was a flash In her voice that startled him with Its Indignant contempt and resentment. resent-ment. "What are you saying. Miss Rousslllon? Roussll-lon? I don't understand you. When did I ever when did I Jnb you with my sword? I never thought of hucIi n thing " "This moment, sir, you did, nnd you know you did. My arm Is bleeding now." She spoke rapidly In French, but ho caught her mennlng nnd for the first became awnre of the rapier In his hund. Even then Hk point was toward her nnd very near her breast. Ho lowered low-ered It Instantly while the truth rushed Into bis mind. "Forgive me," he murmured, bis words barely audible in the tumult of wind and rain, but charged with the Intensest feeling. "Forgive me. I did not know. It was nu accident. I could not do such a thing purposely. Relieve me. believe me, Miss Rousslllon. I did not mean It." "I should like to believe you," she presently sulci, "but I cannot. You English are all, nil despicable, menn, vile!" "Some time you shall not say that," Fnrnsworth responded. "I asked you to stop n moment that I might beg you to believe how wretchedly sorry I am for what I am doing. Rut you cannot understand tne now. Are you really hurt. Miss Rousslllon? I assure you that It was purely accidental." "My hurt Is nothing," she said. "I am very glad." "Well, then, shnll we go on to the fort?" "You mny go where you please, mademoiselle." ma-demoiselle." She turned her back upon him nnd without an answering word wnlked straight to the lantern that hung by tho gate of the stockade, where a sentinel senti-nel tramped to and fro. A few moments mo-ments later Captain Parnsworth presented pre-sented her to Hamilton, who had been called from his bed when the news of tho trouble at Rousslllon place reached the fort. "So you've been raising trouble ngaln, have you. miss?" he growled, with an ugly frown darkening bis face. "I beg your pardon," said Earns-worth, Earns-worth, "SIIss Rousslllon was not to blame for" "In your eyes she'd not be to blame, sir, If she burned up the fort nnd nil of us in It." Hamilton grullly interrupted. "Miss, what have you been doing? What are you hero for? Captain Fnrnsworth, Fnrns-worth, you will pleaso state tho particulars partic-ulars of the troublo that I have Just heard nbout. And I may as well notify you that I wish to hear no special lover's lov-er's pleading In this girl's behalf." Farnsworth's face whitened with nn-ger. nn-ger. He bit his lip, and a shiver ran through his frame, but ho had to con-mier con-mier the passion, In n few words blunt nnd direct ns musket balls bo told nil tho elrcuinstonces of wht hnd taken place, making no concealments to favor Alice, but boldly blaming tho officer of tho patrol, Lleutennnt Harlow, Har-low, for losing his head and attacking n young girl In her own home. "I will lienr from Harlow," said Hamilton after listening attentively to tho story. "Rut take this girl nnd confine con-fine her. Show Iter no fnvors. I hold you responsible for her until tomorrow morning. You can retire." There was no room for discussion. Farnsworth saluted nnd turned to Alice. - It 1 II I II I 1 I I 1 I IM I UHW "Come with me." he gently said. Hamilton looked after them as they went out of his room, a curious siulle playing around his firmly set lips "She's the most beautiful vixen that I ever saw," he thought. "She doesn't look to be a French girl either; decidedly decided-ly English." He shrugged bis shoulders, shoul-ders, then laughed dryly 'Tarns-worth's 'Tarns-worth's as crazy as can be, the beggar; in love with her so deep that he can't see out By Joxe, she Is a beauty! Never saw such eyes And plucky to bent the deuce I'll bet my head Harlow Har-low 'II be daft nlmut her next'" Still, notwithstanding the lightness of his luwnrd comments, Hamilton regarded re-garded the incident as rather serious He knew that the Flench Inhabitants were secietly his bitter enemies, yet probably willing, If he would humor their peculiar social, domestic and com nierclal piejudlces, to refrain from active ac-tive hostilities, mid even to aid hltu In furnishing his gnrrlsoti w 1th a large amount of needed supplies. The danger dan-ger Just now was twofold his Indian allies were deserting him, and a flotilla londed with provisions and ammunition ammuni-tion from Detroit hnd failed to arrive He might, If the French rose against him and were Joined by tho Indians, have great dllllculty defending tho fort. It wns clear that M. RotHslllon had more lullucnce with both Creoles and savages than any other person save Father Beret. Urgent policy dictated dic-tated that these two men should somehow some-how be won over. But to do this It would be necessary to treat Alice In such a way that her arrest would aid, Instead of operating against the desired de-sired result a thing not easy to manage. man-age. Captain Farnsworth took his fair prisoner straightway from Hnmtlton'H presence to a small room connectml with a considerable structure In a distant dis-tant nngle of the stockade. Neither he nor Alice spoke on the way. With n huge wooden key he unlocked the door nnd stepped aside for her to enter A dim lamp was burning within, Its yellowish yel-lowish light flickering over the scant furniture, which consisted of a comfortable com-fortable bed, a table with some books on It, three chairs, a small looking glass on the wall, a guitar and some articles ar-ticles of men's clothing banging here nnd there. A heap of dull embers smoldered In the fireplace. Alice did not falter at flic threshold, but promptly prompt-ly entered her prison. "I hope jou can bu comfortable," said Farnsworth In a low tone. "It's the best I can give jou." "Thank you," was the answer, spoken ()ulte as if he hnd handed her a glass of water or picked up her handkerchief. handker-chief. He held the door a moment while she stopped with her bnek toward him In the middle of the room; then she heard him close and lock It. The nlr wns almost al-most too warm after her exposure to the biting wind nnd cold dashes of rain. She east off her outer wraps and stood by the llreplnce. At a glance she comprehended that the place was not the one she hnd formerly occupied as a prlooner, and that It belonged to a man. A long rltle stood In a corner, a bullet pouch and powder born hnnging on a projecting hickory ramrod. A heavy fur topcoat lay across one of the chairs. Farnsworth, who had given Alice his own apartment, took wbnt rest he could on the cold ground under n leaky shed hard by. His wound, not yet nlto-gether nlto-gether healed, was not benefited by the exposure. In due time next morning Hamilton ordered Alice brought to bis otllce, nnd when she appeared he was smiling with as near an approach to affability ns his disposition would permit. He rose and bowed like a courtier. "I hope you rested well, mademoiselle," mademoi-selle," he said In bis best French. He Imagined Hint the use of her language would be aciceable tn bsln with. "I am sorry, monsieur, that I cannot say as much to you," she glibly responded. re-sponded. "If you lay upon a bed of needles the whole night through, j'our rest wns better thnn yon deserved My own sleep wns quite refreshing, thank you." Instantly Hamilton's choler rose. He tried to suppiess It at first, but when ho saw Alico actually laughing, and Farnsworth, who had brought .her In, biting his lip furiously to keep from adding an uproarious guffaw, he lost nil hold of himself. "I might have known better thnn to I-xpect decency from n wench of your character," he said. "I hoped to do you a favor, butI hoe that yi.u are not capable of accepting kindness politely " "I am sure, monsieur, that I have but spoken the truth plainly fo you. You would not have me do otherwise, I hope." Her voice, absolutely witching In Its softness, freshness and suavity, helped tho assault of her eyes, while her dim ples twinkled and her hair shone. Hamilton felt his heart move strangely, but he could not forbear saying In English: Eng-lish: "If you are so very truthful, miss, you will probably toll mo when, tho flag is that you stolo and bid." It was always tho missing banner that camo to mind when ho saw her. "Indeed, I will do nothing of tho port," she promptly replied. "When you seo that lliig.ognln yoii-WlU Usui prisoner, nnd I wtir wave It high over your head " She lifted a hand as she spoke and made the motion of slinking a banner above him It was exasperation sweet ened nltnost to delight that took hold .f the sturdy Briton. He liked pliuk. especially es-pecially In a woman, all the more If She was licautiful, J'et the very fact that he felt her charm falling upon Mm set It I tn hard against her. not as Hamilton tin man, but as Hamilton the commander at Vlncenncs "You think to lllng yourself upon me ns jou have mihiii Captain Farnsworth," Farns-worth," he said, with tin Insulting leer and In n tone of prurient Innuendo. "1 nm not susceptible, mi dear " This more for Farnsworth's bencllt than to Insult her, albeit he was not In a mood to care "You are a coward and a liar'" she exclaimed, her face Hushing with hot shame. "You stand here," she quickly added, turning llereely upon Farn -worth, "and quietly listen to such words! You. too. lire u oiwat If you do not make him retract! Oh, jou I'ug llsh are low brutes!" Hnmlltou laughed, but Farnsworth looked d.i i k anil troubled, his glance going back and forth from Alice to h's commander as If another wind would cause lilm to do something terrible "I rather think I've heard all that I care to hear from you. miss," Hamilton Hamil-ton presently said. "Captain Farnsworth, Farns-worth, jou will see that the prisoner Is confined in the proper place, which, I suggct to jou, Is not your sleeping (mutters, sir" "Colonel Hamilton." said Farns worth In a liuskj- voice, "1 slept on the ground under n shed last night In order that Miss Kousilllon might be some what com! (ii table." "Humph' Well, see that you do not do It again This girl Is guilty of hnr-borlng hnr-borlng a spj and resisting a lawful attempt at-tempt of my guaiils to' capture him. Confine her In the place prepared for prisoners and see that she stays there until I am leady to fix her punishment punish-ment " "Theie Is no place fit for a young girl to staj In," Farnsworth ventured. "She can havo no comfort or" "Take her along, sir. Any place Is good enough for her so long ns she behaves be-haves like a" - "Verj well," Farnsworth bluntly Interrupted, In-terrupted, thus saving Alice the stroke of a vile comparison. "Come with mo, please, Miss Rousslllon." He pulled her toward the door, then dropped the arm he bad grasped and murmured nn npologj- She followed him out, holding her hend high. No one looking on would have suspected that a sinking sensation sensa-tion In her heart made it dlHlcult for her to walk or that her eyes, shining like stars, were so inwardly lauded with dlstresA that she saw her way but dlmlj. It was a relief to Hamilton when Helm a few minutes later entered the room with something breezy to say. "What's up now. If I ninj- ask?" tho Jolly American demanded. "What's this I hear about trouble with the French women? IIno they begun a revolution?" "That elephant Oaspard Rousslllon came back into town last night," said Hamilton sulkily. "Well, he went out again, didn't he?" "Yes, but" "Stepped on somebody's toe first, eh?" "The guard tried to capture him, nnd that girl of his wounded Lieutenant Barlow hi the neck with a sword. Rousslllon fought like a tiger, and the men swear that Sntan himself appealed ap-pealed on the scene to help the French, man out." "Moral: Be generous In your dealings with Frenchmen nnd French women and so get the devil on your side." "I've got the girl a prisoner, nnd I swear to you that I'll have hor shot this time If" - "Why not shoot her yourself? You oughtn't to shirk a dirty Job like that and force It upon your men." Hamilton Inughcd and elevated Ills (boulders as If to shake off an annoying load. Just then a young oltlcer with a white bandage around bis neck entered nnd saluted. He wns a small, soft linlred, blue eyed man of reckless bearing, bear-ing, with marks of dissipation sharply cut Into his face. lie saluted, smiling l.elf consciously "Well, Harlow," said Hamilton, "the I Itten scratched you, did she?" "Yes, slightly, and I don't think I've' Is'n treated fairly In tho matter, sir." "How so?" "I s'tood the brunt, and now Captain Farnsworth gets the prize." He twisted twist-ed his mouth In mock expression of maudlin disappointment. "I'm always cheated out of the sweets. I never get anything for gnllnnt conduct on the field." "Poor boy! it Is a shame. Hut I say, lieutenant, bus Rousslllon really escaped, es-caped, or Is he hidden somewhere In town? Have you been careful?" "Oil, It's the Indians. They all swear lp- theso Frenchmen. You can't get any help from them ngnlnst a fellow llko Rousslllon. In fact, they aid him. He's nmongthem now " "MornI ngntn," Helm Interposed. "Keep on the good sldejf the French." "That's sensible talk, sir," assented Barlow. "Bah!" exclaimed Hamilton. "You might ns well talk of keeping on the good side c the American traitors. A bloody murrain seize the wholo race!" "That's what I say," chimed In the lieutenant, with it sly look at Helm. "They havo been telling me n cock and bull story concerning tho affair at tho Rousslllon cabin," Hamilton sr.'d, changing his manner. "What Is this about n disguised and wonderful man who rushed In and upset the whole of j'ou? I want no romancing. Otve mo the facts." Barlow's dissolute countennnce became be-came troubled. "The fncX" ha said, sr.eaklnwHi Continued on Sixth page BH Blindness Result of Destiny. BH lillnduess la Hitpposeil, according to BK the ancient Caellc beliefs. Invariably BKV - IcatI to Fomo Htrangu and obscuro BH destiny, dim to ttto fact that the tin- BKV fortunatu perHon was horn tinder that HB' Iark star which may occasionally bo BB' descried in Uy heavenH on a partlrii- BV 'arly brilliant moonlight nlgut. BBb' B 'I BBBBk BBH,BBBBBBBBL- B BBBBBBflEir "' - HaPaVaVaVaVJaVaVaVaVaVaVaVaPflBVaVa Alice of Old Vincennes nerious deliberation, "nro "not clear tl was Ilko n clap of thunder the way that mnn performed. As yon any, lie did fling the whole ftqnnil nil of n heap, nnd It van done that quickly," he anapped lit thumb nnd fliiRer demon-Ftratlvely demon-Ftratlvely with n Hharp report, "noliody could undeMtand It." Hamilton looked nt his subaltern with a smile of unlimited contempt and wild: "A pretty offleer of his majesty's nr-my nr-my you are. Lleiilenant Harlow! I'lrst n slip of a ilrl shows herself yniir sti-imrlor sti-imrlor with the swonl and wounds you, then a sliiKle man wipes up the llnor of n hoiisi' Willi you and your cimrd. ile-prlvlliK ile-prlvlliK you nt the saltie time of Iwitli vision and memory, so that you cannot even describe your assailant!" "lie was dressed like a priest," muttered mut-tered Harlow, evidently frlKlitencd at his commander's scntliliiK comment. "That was all there w:is lo sco." "A itrlcsi: Some or the I say the devil. I wonder" Hamilton besllafed nnd looked at the llnor. "This Pnlher llerel, he Is too old for such a thlnir. Isn't he?" "I have thoimhi of him II was like him- but b" is. as you say. very old to lie so tremendously slrniu; and ae- ?S i r 'li ') ' J The fun iiira stitml with a tluhl (;rp lirtwcrn them. tlvc. Why, I tell you that men went from his hands aalitst the walls ami lloor as If shot out of a mortar. It was the strangest and most astounding thing I ever heard of." A little later Harlow seized a favorable favora-ble opportunity and withdrew. The conversation was not to Ills liking Hamilton sent for Father Heret and hail n long talk with him, but the old man looked so childishly inoffensive In spirit anil so collapsed physically that It seemed worse than foolishness to accuse ac-cuse him of the exploit over which the entire garrison was wondering. Karns-worth Karns-worth sat by during the Interview, lie looked the good priest curiously and critically over from head to foot, remembering, re-membering, but not mentioning, the most unclerical punch In the sido received re-ceived from that energetic right arm now lying so tlabbily across the old man's lap. When the talk ended and Father He-ret He-ret humbly took his leave, Hamilton turned to Farusworth and said: "What do you think of this affair? I have cross questioned all the men who took part in It, stud every one of them says simply priest or devil. I think old Heret is both, but plainly he couldn't hurt a chlcKcn; you can see that at a glance." Farusworth smiled, rubbing Ids side remlniseently, but he shook bis bead. "I'm sure It's puy.xliug. indeed." Hamilton sat In thoughtful silence for awhile, then nhruptlt changed the subject. "I think, captain, that you had better bet-ter send out Lieutenant Harlow and Rome of the best woodsmen to kill some same. We need fresh venison, and, by Cloorge, I'm not going to depend upon these French traitors any longer. I have set my foot down. They've got to do better or take the consequences." Ho paused for a breath, then added. "That girl has done too much to escn; Heverest punishment. The garrison will be demoralized If this thing goes without an example of authority rigidly rig-idly enforced. I am resolved that there shall be a startling and effective public display of my power to punish. Slio shot you. You seem to be glad of It. but It was a grave olTeuse. She has Htabbed Harlow. That Is another serious se-rious crime; but. worst of nil, she aided aid-ed a spy and resisted arrest. She must be punished." Fnrnsworth knew Hamilton's nature, nnd he now saw that Alice was In dreadful danger of death or something even worse. No sooner hail he left headquarters and given Harlow ids Instructions In-structions touching the hunting expedition expedi-tion than his mind began to wander amid visions and schemes by no means consistent with his military obligations. In ordr 1 rwdMijf ujjuVuiJbeji t,lt went forth Into the dreary, lanelike streets of Vincennes and walked aimlessly here und there until he met Father Heret. Fnrnsworth saluted the old man and was passing him by when, seeing a sword In his hand half hidden In the folds of his worn and faded cassock, he turned and addressed him: "Why are you armed this morning, father?" he demanded very pleasantly. "Who Is to suffer now?" "I am not on the warpath, my son," replied the priest. "It is but n rapier that I nm going to clean of rust spots that are gathering on Its blade." "Is It yours, father? Let me see It." Ho held out his hand. "No; not mine." Father Heret seemed not to notice Fnrnsworth's desire to handle the weapon, and the young man Instead of repeating his words reached farther, nearly grasping tho scabbard. "I cniinot you take ltfc ni ann 4 -. -v - nnld Father Here! "You have Its mate. Thnt should satisfy you." "No; Colonel Hamilton took It," Farusworth quickly replied. "If I could I would gladly return It to Its owner. I am not a thief, father, nnd I nm nshnmeil of-of-what I did when I was drunk." The priest looked sharply Into Fnrnsworth's Fnrns-worth's eyes and read there s ethlng thnt reassured him. Ills long experience expe-rience had rendered Idin ndept at taking tak-ing u man's value at n glance. Ho slightly lifted Ills face and said: "Ah, but the poor little girl! Why do you persecute her? She really does not deserve It. She Is a noble child, (ilve her back to her home nnd her people. peo-ple. Do not soil nnd spoil her sweet life." It was the singsong voice used by Father Heret In his sermons and prayers, pray-ers, but something went with it Indescribably Inde-scribably touching. Farusworth felt a lump rise In his throat, nnd his eyes were ready to show tears. "Father," he said with dlllleulty, making his words distinct, "I would not harm .Miss Uoussillon to save my own life, and I would do unythlng" He paused slightly, then added with passionate force, "1 would do anything, no matter what, to save her from the terrible thing that now threatens her." Father Herd's countenance changed curiously as he gazed at the young man ami said. "if yuii really mean what you say you can easily save her, my son." "Father, by till that Is holy, I mean Just what I say." "Swear not nt nil, my son, but give me your hand." Th" two men stood with n tight grip between them nnd exchanged a long, steady, searching gaze. A drizzling rain had begun to fnll again, with a raw wind creeping from the west. "Come with me to my house, my son," Father Heret presently added, and together to-gether they went, the priest covering Alice's sword from tho ruin with tho folds of his cassock. Continued Next Issue. |