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Show II ALICE of OLD !i 1 VINCENNES ii m " .... i ::::: By maurice Thompson j - . CcpjriihJ, 190ft, by Ik. OOWEM-iaUtKaL COMTANr ' K M M Ml M -. AVk , (Mil KT7rtmttftttm, CIIArTKU VII. the mayoh'm pvkiy HELM wag n boihI olllccr In mnny respects, mul Ills patriotism pa-triotism was of the best; but lie liked Jollj euiupnny, u glaiis of pomothltig HtroiiK mul a large Bliaro of ease. Detroit lit) many nillos northeastward aeioss tht wilderness, and the English, lie thought, wotilil scarcely eome so fnr to uttiuU his little post, especially now that most or the Indians In the Intervening country Intel declared In favor of tho Americans. Ilecently, too, the weather had been favoring him by cluinging from wet to dry, so that tho upper Wabash and It.s tributaries were falling low and would soon lie very dllllcult to navigate with large but ten tit. Very little was done to repair the Blockade and dilapidated remnant of u blockhouse. Theie were no sulllclent barracks, a mere shed in one angle bervlng for quarters, and the old cannon can-non could not have been used to any effect In case of attacU. As for the garrison, It was a nominal quantity, made up mostly of men who preferred hunting and llshlug to the merest pretense pre-tense of military duty. Gaspanl Uousslllon assumed to know everything about Indian affairs and the condition of the Kngllsb at Detroit. His optimistic eloquence lulled Helm to ii very pleasant sense of security. Beverley was not mi easj to sutisf.v, but his suggestions regarding military discipline and a vigorous prosecution of tcpalrs to the blockhouse and stockade stock-ade were treated with dilatory geniality geniali-ty by his superior olllcer. Tho soft wonder of a perfect Indian summer glorltled land, river and sky. Why not dream nnd bask? Why not drink exhilarating ex-hilarating toddles? Meantime thu entertainment to be given by Gaspurd Uousslllon occupied everybody's Imagination to an unusual extent. Bene de Konville, remembering remember-ing but not heeding the doubtful success suc-cess of bis former attempt, went long beforehand to claim Alice as bis partcnalre, but she llatly refused him, once more reminding him of his obligations obliga-tions to little Adrleune Bonnier Ho would not bo convinced. "You are bound to me," he said. "You promised before, you know, and the party was but put off. I bold you to it. You are my partcnalro and 1 am yours; jou can't deny thnt." "No, you mo not my partcnalre," she firmly said, then added lightly, "Feu moil partcnalre, you are dead and burled as my partner at that dance." Ho glowered In silence for a few moments, mo-ments, then said: "It Is Lieutenant Beverley, I suppose?" sup-pose?" She gave 1dm a quick, contemptuous look, but turned it Instantly Into one of her tantalizing biulles. "Do you Imagine that?" she demanded. demand-ed. "Imagine It! I know It," he said with a hot Hush. "Have I no sense?" "Precious little," she replied with a merry laugh. "You think so." "(io to Father Beret, tell him everything, every-thing, and then ask him what he thinks," she said in n calm, even tone, her face growing serious. There was an awkward silence. She had touched Hone's vulnerable spot. He was nothing If not a devout Catholic, anil his conscience rooted itself it-self in what good Father Beret had taught him. Father Beret was the humble, self effacing, never tiring agent of good In his community. He preached hi a tender ten-der singsong voice the sweet monotonies monot-onies of his creed and the sublime truths of Christ's code He was Indeed In-deed the spiritual father of his people. No wonder Bono's scowling expiesslon changed to one of abject self concern when the priest's name was suddenly connected with his mood The confessional confes-sional twined up before the eyes of his conscience and Ids knees smote together, togeth-er, spiritually If not physically. "Now," said Alice brusquely, but with sweet and gentle firmness, "go to your Ha ncee, go to pretty and good Adrleune, and ask her to be jour partcnalre. Befrcsli your conscience with a noble draft of duty and make that dear little girl overllovv with Joy. (Jo, lteno do Itoinlllo." Bene felt his soul cowering, even slinking, but ho fnlily maintained n good fao, and went away without saying say-ing another word. "f'lel. del, how beautiful she Is!" ho thought, us be walked along tho narrow nar-row street hi the dreamy sunshine. "But she Is not for me, not for me." He shook himself and tried to be cheerful. In fact he hummed a Creole ditty, something about "La belle Jean-ette, Jean-ette, qu' a brlso nion crcur." Days fassed, nnd at last the time of tho great event arrived. It was a frosty night, clear, sparkling with sturs, a keen breath cutting down from thu noi thtv est. M. Bousslllon, Mine. Bousslllou, Alice ami Lieutenant Beverley Bever-ley went together to tho river house, whither they had been preceded by nl-most nl-most the entire population of Vin-rennes. Vin-rennes. Some Hres hadqL'eeu )illt outside, out-side, tho ciovvd proving ton great for thu building's capacity, as there had to bo ample space for tho dancers. Merry groups hovered around tho (laming logs, while within the house a fiddle sang Its simple anil ravishing tunes. Hverybody lalked and laughed; it was a lively racket or clashing olces and rhythmical feet When the Bousslllon party arrived it attracted condensed attention. Its Important Im-portant c, naturally of the greatest In the assembled popular mind, was enhanced en-hanced as mathematicians would say, to the nth power by the gown of Alice. It was resplendent Indeed In the simple, sim-ple, uuaerustnmed eyes upon w hlch It Hashed with a buff silken glory Matrons Ma-trons stared at It, maidens gazed with fascinated mul Jealous v Wluu, men young and old let their e.ves take full liberty. It was as If a queen, arrayed In a robe of state, had entered that dingy log edifice, an apparition of daz-r.llng daz-r.llng and awe Inspiring beauty. The dancers swung together and stopped In confusion. But she, fortified li.v u woman's strongest bulwark, tho sense of resplendency, nppenrod quite unconscious uncon-scious of herself. Little Adrlemie, hanging In blissful delight upon Bono's strong arm. felt the stir of excitement nnd wondered what was the matter, being too short to see over the heads of those around her. "What Is it? What Is It?" she cried, tiptoeing and tugging at her companion's compan-ion's sleeve. "Tell me, Bene; tell me, I say " Bene wns gazing In dumb admiration Into which there swept a poweiful anger, like a breath of flume, lie recol- 11 uiw a If a quiui hud enured. lected how Alice bad refused to wear that dress when be had asked her, and now she had It on. Moreover, there she stood beside Lieutenant Beverley, lioldi ing bis arm, looking up Into his face, smiling, speaking to him. "I think you might tell me what has happened," said Adrleune, pouting nnd still plucking at bis arm. "I can't see a thing, and you won't tell me." "Oh, It's nothing," ho presently answered an-swered rather fretfully. Then ho stooped, Iovveied his voice and added: "It's Mile. Bousslllon nil dressed up like a bilde or something. She's got on n buff silk dress that M. Boussllloii's mother had In France." "How beautiful she must look!" cried the gill. "I wish I could see her." Bene put a hand on each side of her slender waist and lifted her high, so that her pretty head rose abovo tho crowding people. Alice chanced to turn her face that way Just then and saw tho unconventional performance. Her eyes met those of Adrlemie and she gave a nod of smiling recognition. It was a rose beaming upon a gillyflower. M. Bousslllon naturally understood thnt all this stir and crowding to sec was but another demonstration of his personal popularity. Ho bowed and waved n vast band. But the master of ceremonies called loudly for the dancers to take their places. Oncle Jazon attacked his fiddle with startling energy. Those who were not to dance formed a compact double line around the wall, the shorter ones In front, the taller In the rear. Alice and Beverley were soon In the whirl of the dance, forgetful of everything every-thing but an exhilaration stirred to Its utmof t by Uncle Jazon's music. When their dance was ended they followed the others of their set out into tho open air while a fresh stream of eager dancers danc-ers poured In. Beverley Insisted upon wrapping Alice In her mantle of tin-lined tin-lined beaver skin against tho searching winter breath. They did not go to the Are, but walked back and forth, chatting chat-ting until their turn to dnnce should eoiuo again, pausing frequently to c-change c-change pleasantries with some of tho people. Cuilously enough both of them had forgotten tho fact that other young men would ho sure to ask Alice for a danco nnd that more than one pretty Creole lass was rightfully expecting n giddy turn with thu stalwart and hand-some hand-some Lieutenant Beverley. Bene de Ilonvllle beforo long broko rudely Into their selfish dream nnd led Allco Into tho house. This reminded Beverley of his social duty; wherefore, seeing little Adrlemie Bomcler, he made a rush and secured her at a swoop fiom tho midst of a scrambling circle of mutually hindered young men. "Allons, inn petite!" be cried, quite In tho gay tone of tho occasion, and swung her lightly along with him. It was like an eagle dancing with a linnet, or a giant with a fair', when the big lieutenant led out la petite Adrlemie, as everybody called her. The honor of Beverley's attention sat un- ppreclatod on Adrlenne's mind, for all her thoughts went with her eyes toward to-ward Bene and Alice. Nor was Beverley Bever-ley so absorbed hi his partner's behalf that he ever for a moment willingly lost sight of the flouting bulT gown, the shining brown hair and til6 beautiful ! face, which foimoil. Indeed, the center of attraction for all ojoh. It was some time be fine b-verley I could again secure Alice for a dance, I nnd he found It auno.vlug htm utrti-clously utrti-clously to see her smile sweetly on fcoine buckskin chid lout who looked like all Indian and danced like a Parisian Pari-sian Ho did not gieatly eqjoy most of his partners; they could not appeal to any side of his nature Just then. Not that ho at all times stood too much on his ailslocratle traditions, or lacked the v it lie traits loimuou to vigorous nnd worldly minded men, but the contrast con-trast between Alice and the o'her girls present was somehow mi nbsQute bar to a democratic freedom of the sort demanded de-manded by the occasion. He met Father Betet and passed a few pleasant pleas-ant words with him. "They have honored your Hag, my son, 1 am glad to see," tho priest said, pointing with a smile to whole, hi one comer, the banner that bote Alice's name was effectively draped. Beverley had not noticed It before, and vv hen he presently got possession of Alice he asked her to tell him the story of how she planted It on the fort, nlthough he had hoard It to the last detail from Father Beret Just a moment mo-ment ago. They stood together under its folds while she naively sketched the scene for him, even down to her picturesquely pic-turesquely disagreeable Interview with Long Hair, mention of whom led up to the stoi.v of the Indian's race with the Btolen dame Joanne of brandy under his arm on that memorable night and tho subsequent serv Ices performed for him by Father Beret anil her after she and Jean had found him in the mud beyond the river The dancing went on at a furious paco while they stood there. Now and again a youth came to claim her, but she Raid she was tired and hogged to rest aw Idle, smiling so graciously upon each one that his tebuff thrilled htm ns If It had been the most Hattertng gift of tender ten-der partiality, while at the same time he suspected that It was all for Beverley. Bever-ley. Helm In his most Jovial mood was circulating fioely. It was late when fathers nnd mothers In the company began to suggest adjournment. ad-journment. In the open lamps suspended sus-pended here and there the oil was running run-ning low, and the rag wicks sputtered and winked with their yellow tlames. "Well," said M. Bousslllon, coming to where Alice and Beverley stood Insulated In-sulated and Isolated by their groat delight de-light In each other's company, "It's time to go home." Beverley looked at bis watch. It was a quarter to throe! Alice also looked at the watch, and saw engraved and enameled on Its inns-Hive inns-Hive case the Beverley erest, but she did not know what It meant. There was something of the sort In the back of her locket, she remembered with satisfaction. sat-isfaction. Just then there was a peculiar stir la tho Hugging crowd. Some one had arrived, ar-rived, n coureur de bols from the north. Where was tho commandant? Tho coureur had something Important for him. Beverley hoard a remark In a start led voice about the Bngllsh getting icaily for u descent upon the Wabash valley. This broko the charm which thralled him and sent through his nerves the bracing shock that only a soldier can feci vv hen a hint of coming battle reaches him. I Alice saw the Hash In his face. "Where Is Captain Helm? I must see him Immediately. Hxcuse me," he said, abruptly turning away and looking look-ing over the heads of the people. "Yonder "Yon-der ho Is, I must go to him." The coureur de bols, Adolphe Dutrem-blo Dutrem-blo by name, was Just from the bead waters of the Wabash. Ho was speaking speak-ing to Helm when Beverley cainu tip. M. Bousslllon followed close upon tho llotltcunut's heels, as eager as ho to know what tho message amounted to; but Helm took the coureur aside, motioning mo-tioning Beverley to Join them. M. Bousslllon Included himself In the eon- i fcrence. After nil It was but tho gossip of savages that Dtitreinble communicated, communicat-ed, still the purport was startling in tho extreme (iolernor Hamilton, so thu story ran, had boon organizing n large force. Ho was probably now on his way to the portage of tho Wabash with a llotllla of batteaux, some companies com-panies of disciplined soldiers, artillery and a strong body of Indians. Holm llstened'attentlvely to Dutreni-tile's Dutreni-tile's lively sketch, then cross questioned ques-tioned him with laconic directness. "Send Mr. Jazon to me," ho said to M. Bousslllon, its If speaking to a servant. serv-ant. Tho mnster Frenchman went promptly, prompt-ly, reeogiillng Captain Helm's right to command, and sympathizing with his unpleasant military predicament If the news should piovo true. Undo Jazon came In a minute, his flddlo and bow clamped under his arm, to receive a verbal commission, which sent him with some scouts of his own choosing forthwith to the Wabash portage, port-age, or far enough to ascertain what the Kugllsh commuuder was doing. After tho conference Beverley made haste to Join Alice, but bo found that she had gone home. "A fix we'll bo in If Hamilton comes down hero with a good force," sold Ilehn. Beverley was young, en- rgetle, bellicose, nnd to him everything every-thing seemed possible; ho believed In vigilance, discipline, activity, dash; tio had n. great faith In the elllcacy of enthusiasm. en-thusiasm. "Wo must organlzo ttieso French- ' men," he said. "They will make good I fighters If wo can once get them to act ns a body. There's no time to bo lost, but wo have tlmo enough In which to do a great deal before Hamilton can arrive, If we go at It In earnest." "Your tbeory Is excellent, nontenant, nonten-ant, but tlie practice of it won't be worth much," Helm lopllcd with perfect per-fect good na lute. "Pit like to feo you organize theio parlywxis. There ain't a dozen of 'em that wouldn't aiiept the Kugllsh with open arnft. 1 know 'em. They're good hearted, poUle and all that; they'll Inn rail for the Hag that's easy enough but put 'em to the test and they'll Join In vv ith the strongest hldo, see If they don't. Of course theie are a few exception. There's Jazon, he's all right, and I liavo faith In Iloxsoion, and I.ograce, and young Itonville." "Itousslllon" Itevorley began "Is much of a blow-hard," Holm Interrupted, Inter-rupted, with a laugh. "Harks loud, but Iilrt biting disposition Is piohahl) not vicious." "Ho and I'ather Ileret control the whole population at all oventrt," k.ild lleverley. "Yes, nnd such a population!" Wlillo Joining hi Captain Holm's laugh at tho expense of Vlnceiiiies lleverley took leave to indulge in a mental reservation In favor of Alice Ills heart was full of her. She hud surprised his nature and filled It as with a wonderful, haunting song. And yet. In his pride ami It was not a false pride, but rattier a noblo regard for his birthright ho vaguely realized how far sho was from lilm. bow Impossible. Continued N'et Issue |