Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-15
Alice Of Old Vince1lnes
Continued From Fourth Page.)

he helped himself isn't that compl-
ment enough?'
"a lew such would make me another
hot days work" she replied, laughing.
Pretty talk would be cheaper and
more satisfactory in the long run
Even the -four in these pates | ground
with my own hand i'll an Indian NOR
tar. That was hard work too
By This time Rene had forgotten the
river house and the liquor. With sof-
! tening eyes he gazed at Alice's rounded
| cheeks and sheeny hair, over which the
| light from the curious earthen lamp
she bore in her hand flickered most eff
fectfvely. He loved her madly, but his
| fear Of her was more powerful than
| his love. She gave him no opportunity
to speak what he felt, having ever ready
a quick. bright change of mood and
manner when she saw him plucking up
courage to address her in sentimental
| way Their relations had long been
somewhat familiar, which was but nat
| ural. considering their youth and the
circum stances Of their daily life, but
| Alice somehow had kept certain dis
| lance open between them. so that very
warm friendship could not suddenly re-
solve itself into troublesome passion
on Renes part.
We need not attempt to analyze a
young girls feelings and motives In
such case. What she does and what
she thinks are mysteries even to her
own understanding. The influence most
| potent in shaping the rudimentary
charac,sr OF .ies .iarieten tcaii~e
RoussilIon had been only such as q
lonely frontier post could generate.
Her associations with men and women
had, with few exceptions. been unprof-
liable in an educational way. while her
reading in N isonssillon's little library
could not have given her any practical
knowledge OF manners and life.
Her affection for Rene was interferea
with by her large admiration for the
heroic, masterfsil and magnetic knights
who charged through the romances of
the Roussillon collection. For although
Rene was unluestionably brave and
more than passably handsome. he had
no armor. no war horse, no shining
lance and embossed shield-the differ
enca. indeed. was great
Perhaps 1t was the light and heat of
Imagination shining out through Alice's
face which gave her beauty such fas-
cinatins power Rene saw it and felt
it's electrical stroke send sweet shiver
through his heart while he stood before
her.
"You are very beautiful tonight,
Alice" he presently said, with sud-
denness which took even her alertness
by surprise. A flush rose to his dark
face ana Immediately gave way to
grnyish pallor. His heart came near
stopping, on the instant. he was so
shocked by his own daring. but he laid
a hand ON her hair. stroking it softly.
Just 81 moment she was at loss,
looking trifle embarrassed; then,
with merry laugh, she stepped aside
and said:
"That sounds better, NJ. Rene de
Ronville; much better. You will be as
polite as Father Beret after a little
more training"
She slipped past him while speak
ing and made her way back again to
the main room, whence she called to
him:
"Come here. I've something to show
you"
He obeyed, sheepish trace on his
countenlnce betraying his self con-
seriousness.
When he came near Alice, she was
taking from Its buckhorn hook on the
wall lapier, one Of beautiful pair
hanging side by side.
papa Roussillon gave me these" she
said, with great animation. He bought
them OF an Indian who had kept them
long time Where he came across
them he would not tell. But look, how
beautiful! Did you ever see anything
SO fne?
Guard and hilt were of silver; the
blade, although somewhat corroded,
still showed the fine, wavy lines OF
Damascus steel and traces of delicate
engraving, while In the end Of the
hilt was set large oval turquoise.
a VeIy queer pIS6cuS " SlsS q
girl" said Rene. what can you do
with the1n7"
A captivating flash Of playfulness
came into her face and she sprang
backward, giving the sword semi
circular turn with her wrist. The
blade sent forth keen hiss as 1t cut
the air close, very close to Rene's nose
He jerked his head and flung up his
hand.
She laughed merrily, standing beaud-
fully poised before him, the rapier's
point slightly elevated. Her short skirt
left her feet and ankles free to show
their graceful proportions and the per-
feet pose in which they held her supple
body.
You see what I can do with the
colechemsrle, Ell, NJ Rene de Ron
Vile. she exclaimed, giving him a
smile which fairly blinded him. NO
tice how very near to your neck can
thrust ana yet not touch 1t. Now"
She daIted the keen point under his
chin and drew it away SO quickly that
the stroke was like CLINT Of sun
light
what do you think Of that as nice
and accurate piece Of skill?"
She again resumed her pose, the
right foot advanced. the left arm well
back, her lissome. finely developed