Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-07

and stammering. N
 'AOhy thunder! What do care? An swer my questions, sirr' Hamilton grufly interrupted. ."TeM me the num- Der of American troops at the fort, sfr.'
 q don't know exactly. have not had adm1ttance;to the fort. I might be deceived as to numbers. But they're strong, I believe, M. le Gouverneur; at least they make great show and much noise."
 Hamilton eyed the huge bulk before him for moment, then, turning to subaltern, said:
 'sPlace this fellow under guard and see that he doesu't get away. Send word immediately to Captain Farms worth that I wish to see him at once."
 The interview thereupon closed ab- ruptly HamiIton's emissaries had giv- en him a detailed account of M. Rous- siflon's share in submitting Vincennes to rebel dominion, and he was not. in the least inclined toward treating him graciously.
 "I would suggest to you, M. le Gou- verneur, that my official position de- mands''- M. Roussillon began. But he was fastened upon by two guards, who roughly hustled him aft and bound him so rigidly that he could scarcely move finger or toe. @
 Hamilton smiled coldly and turned to give some orders to a stalwart, rud- dy young officer who in canoe had just rowed alongside the batteau.
 Captain Farnsworth," he said, ac- knowledging the military salute, you win take fifty men and make every thing ready for a reconnaissance in the direction of the fort. We willsmove down the river immediately andschoose place to land. Move livelyA We have no time to lose.'
 In the meantime Beverley slipped away from the fort and made hurried call upon Alice at Roussillon place. There was not much, they could say to each other during the few moments at command. Alice showed very little excitement. Her past experience had fortified her against the alarms of frontier life But she understood and perfectly appreciated the situation.
 What are you going to do?' Bever- ley demanded in sheer despair. He was not able to see any gleam of hope out of the blackness which had fallen around him and into his soul. What shall you do?" he repeated.
 "Take the chances of war;" she said smiling gravely. Tt will all come out wall, no doubt"
 'T hope so, but-but fear not" His face was gray with trouble, s'Helm is determined to fight, and that means''
 "Good!' she interrupted, with spirit. "'I am so glad of that. I wish could 20 to help him. If were a man I'd love to fight. think it's just delight ! ful.''
 But it is reckless bravado. It is worse than foolishness," said Beverley, not feeling her mood. t'What can two or three men do against an armyF" l Flight and die like men, she replied, her whole countenance lighting up. 'tBe heroic!''
 i we will do that, of course. We-l ] do not fear death, but you-you"- Ills voice choked him. ! A gunshot rang out clear in the dis. tance, and he did not finish speaking. 1 That's probably the beginning" he added in. a moment, extending both hands. to her. "Goodby. must hurry to the fort Goodby."
 She drew quick breath and turned 1 so white that her look struck him like a sudden and hard blow. He stood for l a second, his arms at full reach, then:
 My God, Alice, I cannot, cannot leave youy' he cried, his voice again breaking huskily.
 1 She made little movement as if to take hold of his hands, but in an in. stant she stepped back pace and said
 Don't fear about me. I can take care of myself. I'm all right. You'd I better return to the fort as quickly as you can. It is your country, your flag not me, that you must think of now" l She folded her arms and stood boldly erect.
 Never before in all his life had he felt such rebuke. He gave her g straight strong look in the eyes.
 You are right, Alice" he cried, and .I rushed from the house to the fort
 She held her rigid attitude for little while after she heard him shut the front gate of the yard so forciblys that 1t broke in pieces, then she flung hel arms wide, as if to clasp something and ran to the door, but Beverley was out of sight She turned and dropped into chair. Jean came to her out o1 the next room. His queer little face was pale and pinched, but his jaw was set with the expression of one who has known danger and can meet it some how
 ''Are they going to scalp usT he hall whispered presently, with shudder ing lift of his distorted shoulders.
 Her face was, buried in her hands and she did not answer. Childlike ht turned, from one question to another inconsequently.
 Where did Papa Roussillon go to? he next inquired. ITS he going tt fghtT'
 She Shook her head tSrThaV'1l +anr down fha forf xuny,s