The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-08-05
CHAPTER XVI.
Father Beret's Old Battle.

ton in one Of the four angles Of the
stockade. II had no windows and but
two oblong portfolios. made to accom-
modate a small swivel, which stood
darkly scowling near the middle Of the
floor. From one of these apertures
Alice could see the struggling roofs
and fences Of the dreary little town,
while from the other a long reach of
watery prairie, almost a lake, lay under
view. with the rolling. muddy Wabash
cleaning beyond. There seemed 70 be
no activity OF garrison or townspeople.
Few sounds broke the silence OF which
the cherries prison room seemed 10 be
the center.
Alice felt all her courage and cheer
fulness leaving her. She was alone in
the midst of enemies No father or
mother, no friend--a young girl at the
mercy OF soldiers, who could not be
expected to regard her with any SYM
Hpathy beyond that which is accom-
panied with repulsive Ieers and hints.
Day after day her loneliness and help
lessness became more agonizing.
Farnsworth, 1t is true, did all he could
to relieve the strain of her situation;
but Hamilton had an eye upon what
passed and soon fnterfered. He ad-
ministered a bitter reprimand, under
which his subordinate writbed in
speechless anger and resentment.
Adpldln fdInhNDIlns he
said in conclusion. you will distinctly
understand that this girl is my prison
Ell, not yours; that 1, not you, will di-
rect how she is to be held and treated,
and that hereafter 1 will suffer no
interference on your part. ] hope you
fully understand me. sir. and will gov
ern yourself accordingly"
Smarting, or rather smothering, I'M
der the outrageous insult of these re-
slyI-e. .. f7safa
mined to fling his resignation at the
governors feet and then do whatever
desperate thing seemed most to his
mood. But a soldiers training is apt
to call a halt before the worst befalls
In such a case. Moreover, in the pres
ent temptation Farnsworth had a spe-
cial check and hindrance. He had had
a conference with Father Beret, in
which the good priest had played the
part of wisdom in slippers, and of gen.
tleness more dove-like than the doves
A very subtle impression, Illuminated
with the "hope that withers hope" had
come of that interview; and now
Farnsworth felt its restraint. He,
therefore, saluted Hamilton formally
and walked away.
Father Beret's paternal love for Alice
we cannot characterize it more nicely
than TO call it paternal-was his jus
LITIGATION for certain mild sort of cor
Tuption insinuated by him into the
heart of FarnsWorth. He was a crafty
priest, but his craft was always used
for a good end. Internationally Jes-
uitic was his mode of circumventing
the young mans military scruples by
Offering him a puff Of fair weather
with which to sail toward what ap-
peared to be the shore of delight. He
saw ar a glance that FarnsWOrth's love
for Alice was a consuming passion in
very ardent yet decidedly weak
heart Here was the worldly lever
with which Father Beret hoped to raze
Alices prison and free her from the
terrible doom with which she was
threatened.
The first interview was at Father
BeFef's cabin, TO which, as will be re-
nembered, the priest and Farnsworth
went after their meeting in the street.
1t actually came TO nothing, save an
indirect understanding but half sug-
gested by Father Beret and never
openly sanctioned by Captain Farms
worth. The talk was insinuating on
the part of the former, while the latter
slipped eyasiVely from every PROPOSE
ton, as if not able to consider it on
account of a curious obtuseness of
perception. Still. when they separated
they shook hands and exchanged a
searching look perfectly satisfactory TO
both.
The memory of that interview with
the priest was in Farnsworth's mind
when, boiling with rage. he left Ham
ilton's presence and went forth into
| the chill February air. He passed out
through the postern and along the
sudden and queachy edge of the prairie
| inVoluntarily making his way to Fa-
| Their Beret's cabin. His indignation
| was SO great that he trembled from
| head to foot at every step. The door
| of the place was open and Father
| Beret was eating a frugal meal OF
scenes and sour wine (of his OWL
make, he said, which he Hospitality
| begged to share with his visitor. A fire
stone showed, by the grease smoking
over its hot surface, where the cakes
had been baked.
Come in, my son." said the priest
| 'and try the fare of poor old man
( 1t is plain, very plain, but good" He
smacked his lips sincerely and fingered
/ another scone. Take some, take
| some'
| Farnsworth was not tempted. The
acid bouquet of the wine filed the
room with a smack of vinegar, and the
| smoke from rank scorching fat and
| wheat meal did not suggest an agree
! able feast
We'll, well, if you are not hungry
my son, sit down on the stool there
| and tell me the news"
Farnsworth took the low seat with
out a word, letting his eyes wander
| over the walls. Alice's rapier, t..
| mate to that now worn by Hamilton
hung in its curiously engraved scab
bard near one corner. The sight o.
| it infiamed FarnSworth.
| Its an outrage he broke forth
| Governor Hamilton sent a man I,
RoussiIlon place with orders TO bring
| him the scabbard of Miss RoussiIlont
| sword, and he now wears the beautiful
| weapon as if he had come by IL hon.
| estly. Damn HIM"
| Ny dear. dear son. you must no
| soil your lips with such language
! Father Beret let fall the half Of z
| well bitten cake and held up boil
hands.
Il beg your pardon. father; I know
| I ought to be more careful in you
| presence; but-but-the beastly, hell.
| ish scoundrel-"
| BAH doucement, mon fills. douce
| ment." The old man shook his head
and his finger while speaking. Easy
my son, easy. You would be a flint
| tarket for bullets were your words t
| reach Hamilton's ears. You are no
permitted to revile your commander
| Yes. know; but how can a mar
| restrain himself under such abomina.
bic conditiOns?"
| Father Beret shrewdly guessed that
| Hamilton had been giving the cantaiF