Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-12-03
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....>. Say. n;everiI!, CONT: p;;ch So
Der it you possibly cam" Helm added
in his most genial tone, thinking it Il
great piece of humor to suggest sobri-
ETY. to man whose marked difference
from the men of that time was his to-
tai abstinence from intoxicating drinks
Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley was a
virginian Of Nirginians. His family
had long been prominent in colonial
affairs and boasted Il record of great
He was the only son of his parents
and heir to fine estate consisting of
lands and slaves: but, like many an
other of the restless young cavaliers
Of the Old Dominion. he had come in
search of adventure over into Ken
lucky. along the path blazed by Dam
iel Boone, and when Clark organized
his little army the young mans
patriotic and chivalric nature leaped
at the opportunity to serve his country
under so gallant commander.
Intent upon his formal mission, Lieu
tenant Beverley stalked boldly into the
Enclosure at Roussillon place and was
met on the gallery by Mime. Roussillon
in one of her worst moods. She glared
at him with her hands on her hips, her
mouth set irritably aslant upward. her
eyebrows gathered into a dark knot
over her nose. 1t would be hard to
imagine a more forbidding counte-
nance, and for supplementary effect out
popped hunchback Jean to stand be-
hind her, with his big head lying back
in the hollow of his shoulders and his
long chin elevated, while he gawped in
tently up into Beverley's face.
"Bon jour, madame" said the lieu
tenant, lifting his hat and speaking
with a pleasant accent. "Would it be
agreeable to Captain Roussillon for
rue to see him moment?'
Despite Beverley's cleverness in us
ing the French language he had a de-
cided brusqueness of manner and a
curt turn of voice not in the least Gal
lie. True, the soft Virginian information
marked every word, and his obeisance
was as low as if Nine. Roussillon had
been a queen, but the light French
grace was wholly lacking.
"What do you want Of my husband?'
Mime. Roussillon demanded.
Nothing unpleasant. l assure you,
madame" said Beverley.
"Well, he's not at home, m'sieu'; he's
up the river for Il few days."
She relaxed her stare, united her
Lot al ho nd
from her shelflike hips.
'sThank you. madame" said Bever-
ley, bowling again. Il am sorry not to
have seen him.
AS he was turning to so simmer
Of brown hair streaked With gold
struck upon his vision from just with
in the door. He paused, as If in re-
pair Of gray eyes met his with flash.
The cabin room was i'll lighted but the
crepuscular di1nness did not seem to
hinder his sight. Beyond the girls
figure a pair of slender swords hung
crossed aslant on the wall opposite the
low door.
The rough frame of the doorway
k0S0 just luc IuSlS SClkluS OullCO ~
Alice's costume. the most striking part
of which was a grayish short gown
ending just above her fringed buck
skin moccasins. Around her head she
had bound blue kerchief, wide cor
ner of which lay over her crown like
a loose cap. Her bright hair hung free
upon her shoulders in tumbled half
curls.
Beverley could not stare at the girl,
and no sooner had he turned his back
upon her than the picture in his mind
changed like scene in kaleidoscope.
He now saw a tall, finely developed
figure and face delicately oval, with
a low, wide forehead, arched brows, a
straight, slightly tip tilted nose. a
mouth sweet and full, dimpled cheeks
and strong chin set above faultless
throat. His imagination in casting OF
its first impression was inclined to ex,
aggerate Alice's beauty and to dwell
upon its picturesqueness. he smiled
a. he walked back to the fort and
even found himself whistling gayly
snatch from a rollicking fiddle tune
that he had heard when boy.
>.i..i'4 En vi.
o.. y FENCING EoUT.