Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18
ALICE OF OLD :
VINCENNES
By MAURICE THOMPSON
Copyright, 1900, by the
BOWEN. MERRILL COMPANY
By MAURICE THOMPSON
BOWEN. MERRILL COMPANY

Hamilton, now thoroughly exasper-
inhabitants of Vincennes as all like
NJ. Roussillon and Rene-but waiting
for an opportunity to strike him una
wares. He increased his military Wig
lance ordered the town patrolled day
and night, and forbade public gather
ings of the citizens, while at the same
time he forced them to furnish him
large amount of provisions.
When little Adrienne Bourcier heard
of Rene's terrible act, followed by his
successful escape to the woods and of
the tempting reward offered by Hamil-
ton for his scalp, she ran to Roussillon
place well nigh crazed with excitement.
She had always depended upon Alice
for advice, encourage cement and comfort
in her troubles, but in the present case
there was not much that her friend
could do to cheer her. With NJ. ROus-
sillon and Rene both fugitives, tracked
by willy savages, price on their heads.
while every day added new dangers to
the French inhabitants of Vincennes,
no rosy view could possibly be taken
of the situation. Alice did her best
however, to strengthen her little
friends faith in happy outcome. She
quoted what she considered unimpeach-
able authority to support her optimistic
argument.
"Lieutenant Beverley says that the
Americans will be sure to drive Hamil-
ton out of Nincennes or capture him.
Probably they are not so very far
away now, and Rene may join them
and come back to help punish these
brutal Englishmen. Don't you wish he
would Adrienne? Wouldn't it be ro-
manticf"
Hes armed; l know that" said
Adrienne, frightening a little. "and
he's brave, Alice; brave as can be. He
came right back into town the other
night and got his gun and pistols. He
was at our house, too, and, OH
She burst out crying again. Adrienne's
simple heart could not grasp the ro-
mantle criterion with which Alice was
wont to measure action. Her mind
was single, impulsive, narrow and di-
rect in all its movements. She loved,
hated, desired, caressed, repulsed not
for any assignable reason more solid
or more luminous than because" She
adored Rene and wanted him near her.
"Why couldn't he be quiet and do as
your man, Lieutenant Beverley, did,
she cried in sudden change of mood,
the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Lieutenant Beverley surrendered and
took the consequences. He didn't kill
somebody and run off to be hunted like
bear. No wonder you're happy
Alice. I'd be happy, too, if Rene were
here and came to spend half of every
day with me. r
"Why, what a silly girl you are"'
Alice exclaimed, her face reddening
prettily How foolish you prattle
I'm sure l don't trouble myself about
Lieutenant Beverley. What put such
absurd nonsense into your head
Adrienne:'
Because, that's what, and you know
it's so too. You love him just as much
as l love Rene, and that's just all the
love in the world, and you needn't
deny it, Alice Roussillon"'
Alice laughed and Rugged the wee
brown faced mite of a girl until she
almost smothered her.
1t was growing dusk when Adrienne
left Roussillon place to so home. The
wind cut Jelly across the commons and
moaned as it whirled around the cabins
and cattle sheds. She ran briskly