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Show i 11 ALICE of OLD If I VINCENNES :HS By MAURICE THOMPSON i TT J cPl,rih. 13. J7 th BOWEN-MERRILL COMrANT ' chapthk x. 5& K. nOUHSlLI.O.N KMhlirAl.tS COLOWtfc 11AM111U.N A DAY or two after tlio nrrlval of Hninllton the olwent Karri-boh Karri-boh of buffalo hunters slrng-Kleil. slrng-Kleil. brick to Vlneoiiiios nnil wcro duly nworit to dementi themselves ns Inwful milijects of (Stent llrltntn. Itene do Uonvllle was iiiuonj; the first to take tin- onth, nml it promptly followed fol-lowed Unit Hninllton ordered lilm pressed Into service us u woodcliopirer nnd log hauler ilurliiK the erection of a now blockhouse, law bnrrncks and the makliiK of some citenslvo lepalrs of the stocUnile. Nothing could have been more liuuitlltitltiK to the proud youiiB Kreiiehmun. Hvery day he had to report bright and curly to a burly Irish corporal nnd be ordeied about as If he had been a slave, cursed at, threatened and forced lo work until his hands were Mistered and his nuncios Rore. The bitterest part of It all wan that ho had to trudge past both Hotis-stllon Hotis-stllon place and the Uourcler cabin, with the o.ves of Alice and Adrlenne upon hlni Hamilton did not forget M. IEoushII Ion In this connection. The giant or-ntor or-ntor soon found himself face to fnco with a greater trial even than Hone's He was calmly told by the lhigllsh commander that ho could choose bo tween death and telling who It was thnt stole tho tlag. "I'll have you shot, sir, tomorrow morning If you prevaricate about this thing any longer," said Hamilton, with a right deadly xtrnln la his voice. "You told me that you knew every man, woiunn nnd child In Vlnccnurs at Bight. I know thnt Jon saw that girl take the (lag. Lying does not none .vour turn. I give you until this evening to tell me who she Is. If you fall you die at sun-riso sun-riso tomorrow." In fact, It may ho that Hamilton did not really purpose to carry out this bloodthirsty throat most probably ho rolled upon M. Itousslllon's Imagination to torture him successfully but the effect, ef-fect, ns time proved, could not be nc-euratcly nc-euratcly foreseen. Captain I'arnsworth had energy enough for a dozen ordinary men. Ho-fore Ho-fore ho had boon In Vlncenncs twelve hours ho hail seen every nook and corner cor-ner of Its surface. Nor was bis activity duo altogether to military ardor, although al-though he never let pass an opportunity opportuni-ty to servo tho best Interests of his commander. All the while his mind was on tho Htrlklngly benutlful girl whoso saucy countenance hml ho dazzled daz-zled htm from tho roof top of the fort what time she wrenched nway the rebel reb-el flag. "I'll llnd her, high or low," ho thought, I "for I never could fall to recognize that fneo. She's a tramp." It was not in Alice's nature to hldo from tho English. They had held the town nnd fort before Helm came, and she had not found them troublesome under Abbott. .She did not know that M. UotiHsllInu was a prisoner, tho family fam-ily taking It for granted thnt he had gone away to avoid the Imgllsh. Nor was she aware that Hamilton felt so keenly the disappearance of the Hag. VA'hat she did know and It gladdened uer greatly was twit ueveriey nan been well treated by his enptor. With this In her heart she went about Itous-slllon Itous-slllon place singing merry snatches of creolo songs, and when at tho gate, which still hung lopsided on account of Beverley's force In shutting It, she canto unexpectedly face to fnco with Captain Farnsworth, there was no grent surprise on her part. He lifted his hut and bowed very politely, but a bold smile broke over his somowhnt ruddy face. Ho spoko In French, but In u drawling tone nnd with n bad accent. "How do you do, mademoiselle. I nm right glad to see you again." Alice drew hack a pace or two. Sho was quick to understand his allusion, and sho shrank from lilm, fearing thnt ho wns going to tnqulro about tho Hag. "Don't be afraid," ho laughed. "I nm not s.0 dangerous. I never did hurt a girl In all my life. In fact, I am fond of them when they're nice." "I am not In tho least nfrnld," she replied, re-plied, nssumlng nn air of absoluto dismissal, dis-missal, "and you don't look a bit ferocious, fero-cious, monsieur. You may pass on If you please." "Suppose that I don't pass on?" ho presently ventured, with Just n suspicion suspi-cion of Insolence In his attitude, but Inughing until ho showed tooth of remarkable re-markable beauty and whiteness. "Suppose "Sup-pose that I should wish to have a little chat with jmi, mademoiselle?" "I have been told thnt there nre men In the world who think themselves hnndsome and clever and brilliant when hi fact they are but conceited simpletons," sho remarked rather Indifferently, In-differently, mullllng herself In her fur wrap. "You certainly would be a fairly i;ood hitching post for our horses If you never moved." Then sho laughed out of tho depth of her hood, a perfectly perfect-ly merry laugh, but not in tho least nattering to 'nptnln Fninsworth's vnn-Ity. vnn-Ity. He felt tho scorn thnt It conveyed. Kho Inld a shapely hnnd on tho broken bro-ken goto and pushed It open. "I beg your jinrdon, mademoiselle." His manner sortened as ho spoke. "I oeg your pardon, but I came to spenk to you about tho flng-tho ling you took awjiy fmm tho fort." rit-l"M llllltl I I 1 M-l I Slio had boon half expecting this, but she wns quite unprepared, and In spltn of all sho could do showed embarrassment. embarrass-ment. "I have co mo to get tho il.ig. If jou will kindly bring It to mi or tell mo Where It Is I" She quickly found words to Interrupt lilm with, and at the same time by a grent effort pulled herself together. "You huve emtio to the wrong place," Blip Hung In. "1 assure you that I haven't the Mag." "You took It down, mademoiselle." "Oh, did I?" "With bewitching grace you did. mmlcmolicllc. 1 saw nml ndmircd. Will you fetch It, please?" "Indeed I won't." "More- depends upon returning Mint ling than you nre probably ware of," he present!) said In a more serious tone "In fact, the life of one of your townsmen and n person of some Importance Im-portance here, 1 believe, will surely be snved by It. You'd better consider, uindcmolscllo. You wouldn't like to cause the death of a man." "Who Is It V she frankly demanded "It Is the mayor, the big man of your town- M. Itnussillott, 1 think he calls himself. He's got himself Into a tight place. He'll be shot tomorrow morning If Hint Hag Is not produced, (iovernor Hamilton has so ordered, and what he orders Is done." "You Jest, monsieur." "I assure you thnt I speak tho plnln truth." "You will probnbly cntch M. Houssll-lon Houssll-lon before you shoot hint." She tossed her hend "Ho Is nlready n prl-oner In the fort." Alice turned pule. "Monsieur, Is this true'" Her voice hnd lost Its Inippy tone. "Are you telling tell-ing me that to" "You en n verify It, nindeiuolselle, by calling upon the commniider nt the fort. I am sorry that you doubt my veracity If you will go with me I will show jou M. Itousslllon n tightly bound prisoner." Jean hnd crept out of tho goto and wits standing Just behind Alice, with his feet wide npart, his long chin elevated, ele-vated, his hend resting fur back between be-tween his upthriist shoulders, his hands In his pockets, his uncanny eyes gazing htendlly at I'arnsworth. lie looked like a deformed frog ready to Jump. Alice unmistakably saw truth In the captain's countenance and felt It In his voice. Tho reality emtio to her with unhindered effect. M. Itousslllon's Itoussll-lon's life depended upon the return of the ling. Sho put her hnnds togetlier nnd for a moment covered her eyes with them. "I will go now, mademoiselle," salil Farnsworth, "but I hope you will bo In great haste nbout returning the ting." Joint took hold of Alice's dress ns she turned to go back Into the house. "Is ho going to take tho ling? t'an he Hnd It? What does he want with It? What did you do with the Hag, Alice?" ho wiilned In his pecullnr, quavering voice. "Where Ls It?" Her skirt dragged him nlong ns she walked. "Where did you put It, Alice?" "Fnther Ileret hid It under his floor," she answered involuntarily and almost unconsciously. "I shall have to take It buck nnd glvo It up." "No no 1 wouldn't," he quavered, dnnciug ncross tho vornndn as she quickened her pace and fairly spun lilm nlong. "I wouldn't let 'out have It nt all." Alice's mind was working with lightning light-ning speed. Her imagination took strong grip on the situation so brletly nnd effectively sketched by Captain Farnsworth. Her decision formed Itself It-self quickly. "Stay hero, Jean. I am going to tho fort. Don't toll Mamma Itousslllon n I thing. Ho ii good boy." j Sho wns gono before Jean could say a word. Sho meant to fneo Hninllton nt once and bo sure whnt dnnger men-need men-need M. Uoussllloit. Of course, tho Dug must bo given up If thnt would snvo her foster father nuy pain, and If his life wore in question there could not bo too great hnsto on her pnrt. She run directly to tho stockade goto nnd breathlessly informed n sentinel that she must see (iovernor Hninllton, Into whose presence she wns soon led Captain Farnsworth had preceded her hut n minute or r?j, and was present when sho end ! tho miserable shed room wheri it.j commander wns having hav-ing anothir "ilk with M. Itousslllon. Tho meeting was a tableau which would have been comical but for tho pressure of Its tragic possibilities. Hamilton, stern and sententious, stood frowning upon M. Itousslllon, who sat upon tho ground, his foot nnd hands tightly bound, a colossal statue of Injured In-jured Innocence. Alice, ns soon as sho snw M. Itousslllon, Itoussll-lon, uttered n cry of sympathetic endearment en-dearment nnd Hung herself tow mil him with open anus. Sho could not roach around his great shoulders, but she did her bewt to Include tho whole bulk. "I'npnl I'npn UouBslllon!" sho chirruped chir-ruped between tho kisses that sho showered upon his weather beaten face. Hamilton and Farnsworth regarded tho Bcoito with curious und surmised Interest M Itousslllon began spenk. fiig rnpldly, but being n Frenchman he could not get on well with his tongue while his hnnds were tied. Ho could shrug his shoulders! thnt helped htm some 'i am to be shot, ntn petite," ho pathetically pa-thetically growled In his deep bass voice, jhol like a dog at sunrise to morrow " Mice Mssed M. Housslllon's rough cheek mice moro nnd sprang to her feet facing Hninllton. "iou nro not such n Hend and brute ns to kill 1'tp.i Itousslllon," she cried "Why do you want to Injure my poor, good pupa?" ' I believe you nro tho young lady that stole tho Hug?" Hamilton remarked, remark-ed, smiling contemptuously. She looked nt lilm with a swift Hash of Indignation as ho uttered these words. ' I nm not n thief. I could not ste.il what was my own I helped to make that ling. It was untiled after mo. I took It because It was mine You understand me, monsieur." "Toll where It Is and your father's life will be spared." She glanced nt M. Itousslllon ".No, Alice," said he with a jiathelle-ally jiathelle-ally futile effort to make a Mue gesture, ges-ture, "don't do It. I am brave enough to die You would not have me net the coward." No onlooker would have even remotely remote-ly HiisHcted the fact that M. Itousslllon Itoussll-lon had ehancisl to overhear a conversation conver-sation between Hninllton anil Tarns-wortli. Tarns-wortli. hi which Hamilton stated that he teally did not Intend to hurt M Itousslllon In any event; he merely purposed pur-posed to humiliate the "big $ltid bag!" "Ah. no; let me die bravely lor honor's hon-or's sake. I fear death jar less than dishonor! They can shoot "mo, my little one. but they cannot break my proud spirit" lie tried to stilke his breast over his heart "I'erlmps It would be Just as well to let hint be shot," said Hamilton gtullly, and with dry Indifference. "I don't fancy that he's of much valuo to the community at best. He'll make a good target for it squad, nnd we needliu centuple ce-ntuple " "I o you mean It? You ttglj Fngllsh brute Would you murder lilm?" Shu stamped her foot. "Not If I get that Hag between now nnil siiudow n. Otherwise I shall cer 1 "Why dn io it ii'iiti to Injure my poor, good jKipuf tnlnly have him shot. It Is all In your hands, mademoiselle. You can tell mo where the flag Is." Hamilton smiled again with exquisite cruelty. Farnsworth stood by gazing upon Allen In open admiration. Her presence pres-ence had power In It to which he was very susceptible. "You look like a low, dishonorable, soulless tyrant," she said to Hamilton, "and If you get my Hag how shall I know thnt you will keep your promise nnd let I'npn Itousslllon go free?" "I am sorry to say that you will havo to tiust me, unless you'll take Cnptniu Fninsworth for security. Tho cnptnlu Is n gentleman, I nssitre you, Will you stand good for my veracity nnd sincerity, Captain Farnsworth?" The young man smiled nnd bowed. Alice felt the Irony, nnd her perfectly frntik untitle preferred to trust lather than distrust the sincerity of others. She looked at Farnsworth, who smiled encouragingly "The Hag Is under Father Herat's lloor," sho said "Under tho church floor?" "No, under the floor of his house." "Where Is his house?" She gave full directions how to reach It "Untie the prisoner," Hninllton ordered, or-dered, und It was quickly done. "31. Itousslllon, I congratulate you upon your narrow escape, f Jo to the priest's house, monsieur, nnd bring mo that tlag. It would lie well, I assure you, not to bo very long nliout It. Captain Farnsworth, you will send u guard with M Itousslllon, a guard of honor, fitting his olllclal dignity, a corporal nnd two men. Tho honornhlo mnyor of this Importnnt city should not go nlono upon so Importnnt nn errnnd. Ho must hnvo his ntteuduuts." 'Tomtit mo to go myself nnd get it," snld Alice. "I cnu do It quickly. May I, please, monsieur?" Hamilton looked sharply at her. "Why, certainly, mademoiselle, certainly. cer-tainly. Captain Farnsworth, you will escort the young lndy." "It Is not necessary, monsieur." "Oh, yes, It ls necessary, my dear young lady, very necessary; so lot's not hnvo further words. I'll try to eutertnln his honor, tho mayor, whllo you go nnd act tho flag. I feel sure, mademoiselle, that you'll return with It In n few minutes. Hut you must not go alone." Alice set forth Immediately, nnd Fnrnsworth, try as hard as ho would, could never reach her side, so swift wii.t herjjii!L. (' cntlntied on oth page WEeri tUpy HtTlycd nt Father Beret's cnbln, Blip tunieil nnd wnlil with Im-perlouH Im-perlouH ho verity: "Don't you como In You Htny out here "I'll get It In n mlniitn." Knrnsworth oboyeil her coniiiiiitnl Tho door was wide open, hut Father Huret win not Inside; ho hud Rone to see a nick child In tlio otitHklrtx of tlio vllhik'P. AIlco looked about nnd hesitated hesi-tated SIio knew the very puncheon that covered the linn, hut r!io Hlirauk from llfthiK it. There seemed nothlni rise to do, however, ho, after so! i trouble with herself, hIic knelt upon the floor and turned the heavy slab over with a trrent thump. The IIiik did not appear. She peeped under the other puncheons It was not there. Tim only thine visible was a llttlo ball of paper fragments not larger than nil Ktf. Tanisworth heard her utter n low-cry low-cry of surprise or dismay, and was on the point of koIiik In when I'.ttlier Beret, eiinilliK iiromnl Hie niriier of tho cabin, eonfionleil him 'I lie nns'tliij, wns so sudden and unexpei ted that both men recoiled sllulitly. and then, with a mutual sturl. saluted "I came with i 3 vh-.k lady to sret Ihe flat;," said rnmsworth "Sh H In-Bide. In-Bide. I hope theie Is no serious In-truslnu In-truslnu She sujs (he llni; is lilildeii under your lloor " rather Beret said uottiim;. hut fiown lnir as If much amio.ed, steiped tliroUKh the dooiwny to Allie's side, nnd stoophiK whete site Unell, laid a hand 011 her shoulder as she glanced lip and reeounled llllli "What me you 1I0I111;, my child?" "Oh, father, where Is the Hiik''" It was nil that she could sny. "Where Is the IIiik?" "Why. Isn't It there V" "No, j nu see It Isn't tlune! Where is It?" The priest stood as if dumfotllldiMl, Riilnc Into the vacant space unioveteil by the puncheon. "Is It Kone? Has some one taken It nwnj ?" The turned up all the lloor to no avail l.,t h.inniere d'Allce Itoiisslllou had dlsappeansl ami Captain Karus-woilh Karus-woilh went forthwith to leport the fact to his commander When he reached the shed at the allele of the fort he found lioveinor Hamilton sit-1 sit-1 tluu stupid and (hicil on the Krouud. ! One J.tw was Inllnmisl and swollen and an eje was half closed and bloodshot blood-shot He tuniisl his heail with a painful, pain-ful, irregular motion and his ehln sauced. rarnswotth sprang to him nnd lifted htm to his feet, but he could scarcely stand He licked his lips clumsily. "What is the matter? What hurts you'" The governor rubbed his foiehe.ul, tryiilK to tecollect. "He stunk me." he presently said with dllllcultj "lie hit me with his lUt. Where w hero is lie?" "Wlio?" "That I1I1; I'reneh idiot that ltotis-slllon. ltotis-slllon. (!o after lilm, take him, shoot him ipilck' I have been stunned. I don't know how Inn;; he's been gone. (Jive the alarm-do somethhiK!" Hamihon. as he withered his wits together, begun to foam with rage, and ills passion gave his htuiseil and swollen swoll-en face a lertible look Tho Mor wns shoit and may he ipiickly told M. itoussillon had taken advantage of the llrst moment when ho and Hamilton were left alone. One herculean IniiYet, a swinging smash of his enormous list on the point of the governor's Jaw, nnd then he walked out of the lull unchallenged, doubtless on account of his lordly and mnsteifiil air. "ZIliT' he exclaimed, shaking himself and lifting his shoulders when ho li.nl passeil beyond hearing of the sentinel nt the gate, ".iff! I can punch a goon sinr stioke yet, M. le Uouverueur. Ah, zirf!" and he blew like a porpoise. Kverj eltort was piomptly made to recupttlle M. Itoussillon, hut ills ills-nppear.uni' ills-nppear.uni' was absolute, liven tho roward offered for his scalp by Hamilton Ham-ilton only gave the Indians great trouble; trou-ble; they could not llnd the man. Stub 11 beginning of ills administration administra-tion of nffahs at Vincennes did not put , Hamilton into a good humor. He was ovei beating and irascible at best, and ' under the Irritation of small hut ox- ' ccedlugly unpleasant icperleiices ho ' made life well nigh tincudurnblo to those upon lnmi his dlsllko chanced to fall Ilexerlej iiuiekly felt that It was going to he ery dllllctllt for him and Hamilton lo get along ngreeahly. With Helm it was iulto different, smoking, drinking, phi tug cards, telling good stories- In a word, rudo and not Infrequently Infre-quently boisterous convlvinllt drew him and tho commandant together X'niler Captain I'nrnsworth's Immediate Imme-diate supervision tho fort was soon In excellent repair and a large blockhouse and comfoitublc'qunrtcrs for the men were built. Kory day added to the strength of the wolks and to tho im-I im-I portanci of tho post as a strategle position po-sition for tho advance guatd of the 1 HrltMl army. Hamilton was ambitious to piovo himself conspicuously aluablo to his country, lie was dreaming vast dreams and laying large plans. The Indians were, soon nnxlous to gain ids favor, nnd to bind them securely to him he ottered liberal pay In rum and lire-arms, lire-arms, blankets, ttlnkets and ammunition ammuni-tion for the scalps of teliels. Ho kept this as secret as posslhlo from Ids prisoners, pris-oners, hut Hexurley soon suspected that 1 n "trallle in hair," as tho terrible business busi-ness had been named, was going on. Savages enmo in from far away with scalps yet scarcely dry dangling at their belts It tnndo the oung Virginian's Vir-ginian's blood chill in his 'heart, and ho regretted that ho had given Hamilton Hamil-ton his parole of honor not to nttonipt to escape. Among the Indians occasionally reporting re-porting 10 Hamilton with tliolr glmutly but vnlunblo trophies was Long Hnir. wlio slipped into tlio fort nnd out again rather warily, notTiavTng much confl-denco confl-denco In those Frenchmen who had otico upon n time given him a incin-ornble incin-ornble mn for his life. Winter shut down, not cold, but damp, chnngenhlo, raw. The work on the fort was nearly completed, anil Hone do Itonvlllo would hnvo soon leen relieved of his servile nnd exasperating exasperat-ing emplomont under tlio Irish corporal, cor-poral, but Just at tho point of time when only a few days' work remained for lilm he became furious, on necoiint of nn Insulting remark, and struck the rorporal over the head with a handspike. hand-spike. This hnppened In a wood some miles from town, whole he was loading logs upon n sled There chanced to be no thhil person present when tho deed was done, and some hours pnssed before they found the ofllcer quite cold and stiff Ik'sIiIo the sled. His head wns crushed to a pulp ifntnllton, now thoioughly' exasperated, exasper-ated, began to look upon the French Inhabitants of Vluionno.s ns all like 7.1. Itoussillon nnd Hone but walling for an oppottunlty to strike him unawares. una-wares. He Increased his mllltai b:-llnneo, b:-llnneo, oidoied the town patrolhiidiiy and night, awl forbade public g. r lags of the citizens, while at the s.ime time he forced them to furnish him a large amount of provisions. When Utile Adilenne Bourcler he.tiil of Bono's terrible act, followed by his Miocossful escape to the woods and of the tempting toward offered by Hamilton Hamil-ton for his scalp, she ran to Koiisslllou plnie well nigh crazed Willi excitement. She had alvays deondod upon Alice for aiUlce, encouragement and eomfott In hiy tumbles, but In the present case theie was not much that her friend could do to cheei her. With M Itoussillon Itous-sillon and Bene both fugitives, tracked by wily savages, n price on their heads, while every day added new dangers to the French Inhabitants of Vincennes, no rosy lew could possibly lie taken of the situation. Alice did her best, how ox or, to strengthen her little friend's faith In a happy outcome She quoted what she considered unimpeachable unimpeach-able authority to support her optimistic nrgument. "Lieutenant Beverley says that the Ameilcans will he sure to dtlve Hamilton Hamil-ton out of Vincennes or capture him. rtohably they are not so very far away now, and Bene may Join them nnd come back to help punish these brutal Fngllshmen. Don't you wish he would. Adrlenne? Wouldn't it be ro-mautli ro-mautli '!" "He's nrmed; I know that," aid Adrlenne, brightening a little, "and he'H brine, Alice; brave as can be. Ho came light hack Into town the other night and got Ids gnu and pistols He I was at our house, too, and, oh"--I She hurst outcrying again. Adrlenne' t 'simple heart could not grasp the ro mantle criterion with which AIlco was wont to measure action Her mind wns single, Impulsive, narrow and direct di-rect in all Its movements. She loved, hated, desired, caressed, repulsed not for an assignable lensou more solid or moie luminous than "because." She adoi ed Itene and wanted lilm near her. j "Why couldn't lie be quiet nnd do as I your man. Lieutenant Beverley, did?" she cried In a sudden change of mood, 1 the tears streaming down her cheeks. I "Lieutenant Beverley suriendeted nnd took the consequences He didn't kill somebody 11 ml run off to be hunted like n bear. No wonder you're happy, Alice I'd be happy, too, If Bene were bete nnd came to spend hnlf of every day witli me. I" "Why, whnt n silly girl you are!" Alice exclaimed, her face reddening prettily. "How foolish you prattle! I'm sure I don't tiouble myself about Lieutenant Beverley. What put such ubsutd nonsense into your head, Adrlenne?" "Because, that's what, and you know lt's'so too. You love him Just ns much ns I love Hone, nnd that's Just all the love In the world, nnd oil needn't deny It, Alice Itoussillon!" Alice laughed and hugged the woo, brown faced inlte of a girl until she almost smothered her. It was growing dusk w lion Adrlenne loft ItoiiHstllim place to go home The wind cut Icily neross the commons and I moaned as It w hilled around the cabins 1 nnd cattle sheds, She ran briskly, I ' tih, Ititlur Ih-ref Hc() mc'" inullled in a wrap, parti through fear and partly to keep warm, and had gono two thirds of her way when sho was I brought to an abrupt stop by the arms of a man. Sho screamed sharply, and Fnthor Beret, who was coming out of n cabin not far away, heard and knew the v olee Ho, ho, my llttlo lady!" cried Adrlenno's captor in a hteozy, Jocund tone. "You wouldn't run over a fellow, would you?" Tho words were French, hut tho voice was that of Captain Farnsworth, who Inughed while ho hX'oUo. "You Jump Ilko nraUbli1m darling! Why" wllaf n livcfy llttlo chick of a girl It Jsl" Adrlenne screamed and struggled recklessly. "Now, don't rouso tip the town," coaxed the captain. Ho was Just drunk enough to be quite a fool, yet sufll-ilently sufll-ilently sober to lmnglno himself tho most proper person In tho world. "I don't mean you nny hnrm, mado-molselle. mado-molselle. I'll Just see ou safo home, you know; 'scort you to your residence. Come on, now that's a good girl." Father Beret hurried to the spot, nnd when In tho deepening gloom ho saw Adrlenne Hinging herself violently this way and that, helplessly trying to es-cupo es-cupo from tho clasp of n man, he did to perfection whnt a priest Is Btipposed to be the least fitted to do. Indeed, consldeilng his nge nnd leaving his vocation vo-cation out of the reckoning, his performance per-formance wns amazing. It is not certain cer-tain that the blow dealt upon Governor Govern-or Hamilton's Jaw by M. nousslllon wns a stlffer one than that sent straight from tho priest's shoulder right Into the short ribs of Captain Farnswoith, who thereupon released a mighty grunt and doubled himself up. Adrlenne recognized her assailant nt the llrst and used Ids name freely during dur-ing the struggle. When Father Beret npiKNtrod she ciled out to hint: "Oh. Father Father Beret! ILdp me! Help me!" When Farnsworth recovered from the breath expelling shock of tlio Jab In his side nnd got himself once more In a vortical position, both girl and priest were gone. He looked this way and that, rapidly becoming sober nnd beginning be-ginning to wonder how the thing could havo happened so easily. Ills ribs felt ns If they had been hit with a heavy hammer. "By .love!" he muttered nil to himself. him-self. "The old prayer singing heathen! By Jove!" And with this very brilliant and relevant observation ho rubbed his sore side nnd went his way to the fort. Continued Next Issue. |