Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-08
The dancing went on at furious pace


one that his rebuff thrilled him as If 1t
had been the most fiattering gift of ten
der parfiality, while at the same time
he suspected that it was all for Bever-
ley.
Helm in his most jovial mood was
circulating freely.
It was late when fathers and mothers
in the company began to suggest ad-
journment. In the open lamps sus-
pended here and there the oil was run
ming low, and the rag wicks sputtered
and winked with their yellow flames.
WELL" said NJ. RoussillOn, coming
to where Alice and Beverley stood in
sulated and isolated by their great de-
light in each others company, its
time to 60 home"
Beverley looked at his watch. 1t was
O quarter to three!
Alice also looked at the watch, and
saw engraved and enameled on Its mas
sive case the Beverley crest, but she
did not know what it meant. There
was something Of the sort in the back
of her locket, she remembered with sat
isfaction.
Just then there was peculiar stir In
the tagging crowd. Some one had ar
rived, a coureur de bOis from the north.
Where was the commandant? The
coureur had something important for
him.
Beverley heard remark in a startled
voice about the English getting ready
for descent upon the Wabash valley.
This broke the charm which thralled
him and sent through his nerves the
bracing shock that only soldier can
feel when a hint Of coming battle
reaches him.
Alice saw the flash in his face.
"Where is Captain Helm? l must
see him Immediately. Excuse me- he
said, abruptly turning away and look
ing over the heads Of the people. "1on-
der he is; must 90 to him."
The coureur de bois, Adolphe Dutrem-
BILE by name, was just from the head
waters Of the Wabash. He was speak
ing to Helm when Beverley came VI.
NJ. Roussillon followed close upon the
lieutenant's heels, as eager as he TO
know what the message amounted to:
but Helm took the coureur aside, mo-
tioning Beverley to join them. NJ.
Roussillon included himself in the con-
ference.
After all it was but the gossip OF
savages that Dutremble communicat-
ed, still the purport was startling III
the extreme. Governor Hamilton, Sd
the story ran, had been organizing Il
large force. He was probably now Oh
his way to the portage Of the Wabash
with flotilla of batteaux, some COM
panies Of disciplined soldiers. artillery
and strong body Of Indians.
Helm listened attentively to Dutrem'
ble's lively sketch, then cross que';
toned him with laconic directness.
"Send Mr.. Jazon to me-" he said to
NJ. Roussillon, as If speaking to a serv'
ant.
The master Frenchman went prompt.
ly, recognizing Captain Helms right To
command, and sympathiZins with hi
unpleasant military predicament If the
news should prove true.
Oncle Jazon came in minute. hii
fiddle and bow clamped under his arm.
to receive q verbal commission. which
sent him with some scouts of his own
choosing forthwith to the Wabash port
age. or far enough to ascertain what
the English commander was doing.
After the conference Beverley made
haste to join Alice, but he found that
she had gone home.
"a fix We'll be in II Hamilton
comes down here with a good force. >
said Helm. Beverley was young, en-
ergetic, bellicose, and to him every
thing seemed possible; he believed in
vigilance, discipline, activity, dash; he
had great faith in the efficacy Of en-
thuSiasm.
1--WE must organize these French
men," he said. "They will make good
fighters If We can once get them to act
as body. There's no time to be lost,
but we have time enough In which to
do a great deal Sefore Hamilton can
arrive, If We 90 at it in earnest"
"Your theory is excellent. lieuten.
ant, but the practice of it won't be
worth much" Helm replied with per-
|, feet good nature. 'I'd like to see you
organize these parlyvoOs. There amt
q dozen of 'em that wouldn't accept
the English with open arms. l know
'em. They're good hearted, polite and
all that; they'll hurrah for the
fag-that's easy enough-but put EN-
to the test and they'll join in with the
strongest side; see if they don't. or
course there are few exceptions.
There's Jazon, he's all right, and l
have faith in Bosseron, and Legrace,
and young Ronville."
"ROussillon"- Beverley began.
rs much of blowhard." Helm inter
rupted. with laugh. "Barks loud, but
his biting disposition is probably mol
vicious.
HE and Father Beret control the
whole population at all events said
Beverley.
eyes, and such population"
While joining in Captain Helms
laugh at the expense of Nincennes
Beverley took leave to indulge in Il
mental reservation in favor of Alice
His heart was full Of her. She had
surprised his nature and filled 1t as
with wonderful, haunting song. And
yet, in his pride-and it was not false
pride, but rather noble regard for his
birthright--he vaguely realized how Ia
she was from him, how impossible.