The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-14

bank into the water. He was swim
mer whose strokes counted for all tina
prodigiOus strength and excellent train
ing could afford. He rushed through
the water with long sweeps, making 8
semieircle. rounding against the cur
rent, so as to swing down upon thG
drowning man
Less than half hour later a rumor
by some means spread through the
town that Father Beret and Lieuten-
ant Beverley were drowned in the Wa.
bash. But when a crowd gathered to
verify the terrible news II turned out
to be untrue Gaspard Roussillon had
once more distinguished himself by an
exhibition Of heroic nerve and muscle.
"Ventrebleu! Quel hommeT ex-
claimed Oncle Jazon, when told that
NJ. Rousslllon had come up the bank Of
the Wabash with Lieutenant Beverley
under one arm and Father Beret under
the other both men apparently dead.
Bring them to my house immedi-
ately," NJ Roussillon ordered, as soon
as they were restored to consciousness;
and he shook himself, aB a big wet ami
NAL sometimes does, covering every
body near him with muddy water
Then he led the way with melodramat
&c strides
In justice TO historical accuracy there
must be a trifiing reform of what ap-
peared on the face Of things to be grand
ly true. Gaspard Roussillon actually
dragged Father Beret and Lieutenant
Beverley one at time out OF the eddy
water and up the steep river bank.
That was truly a great feat; but the
hero never explained. When men ar
rived he was standing between the col
lapsed forms, painting and dripping.
Doubtless he looked as II he had
dropped them from under his arms,
and why shouldn't he have the beneH
OF great implicationI
"I've saved them both" he rOared;
from which, OF course. the ready ere
ole Imagination inferred the extreme OF
possible heroic performance.
Bring them to my house immediate
ly." And II was accordingly done
The procession, headed by NJ Rous
eillon, moved noislly, for the French
tongue must shake of what comes to
Il on the thrill OF every exciting mo
ment The only silent Frenchman is
the dead one.
Father Beret was not only we'll nigh
drowned. but seriously hurt He lay
for a week on a bed In NJ ROussillon's
house before be could sit up. Alice
hung over him night and day. scarcely
sleeping or eating until he was past all
danger As for Beverley. he shook Off
all the effects OF his struggle In little
while Next day he was out, as well
and strong as ever. busy with the
Affairs Of his office. Nor was he less
happy on account Of what the little nd
venture had east into his experience
IL IL good Co feel that one has done an
unselhsh deed, and no young mans
heart repels the freshness Of whnt
comes TO him when a beautiful girl
first enters his life.
Naturally enough. Alice had some
thoughts Of Beverley while she was SO
caring for Father Beret
She had never before seen a man like
him. nor had she read OF one. Beverley
stepped ln for few minutes every day
10 see Father Beret. inyoluntarlly
his visit by a sliding ratio
M he became better acquainted. He
began 60 enjoy the priests conversa-
ton, with It's sly worldly wisdom crop
ping up through feryid religious sentl.
ments aud quaint humor. Alice must
have interested him more than he was
rully aware OF, for his eyes followed
her, as she came and went with a curl.
Gus criticism OF her half savage cos
tune and her springy, dryad-like sup
pleness, which reminded him OF the
shiest and gracefulest wild birds, and
yet a touch OF refinement, the subtlest
and best, showed In all her ways. He
wondered at her Influence over Father
Beret, whom she controlled apparently |
without EFFORT But IN due time he be-
gan 10 feel deeper character. broad |
er intelligence, behind her superficial
sauyagerie. and he found that she
really had no mean smatterlng OF books
In the lighter vein.
A little thing happened which further
opened his eyes and Increased the in
lerest that her beauty and elementary |
charm OF style aroused In him gradu-
ally, apace with their advancing ac-
Father Beret had got well and ne.
turned 10 his hut and his round OF
spiritual duties. but Beverley came to
place every day all the
lame. For wnder, Nine, Rousslllon
liked him and at most times held the
icolding side OF her tongue when he
was present. Jean, too, made friendly
advances whenever opportunity afford.
d. Alice found In Beverley a large tar
get for the missiles OF her clever and
perversity, He In turn
lncticed native dignity and an ac-
luired superiority Of manner 10 excel
ent eject IL was meeting OF Greek
With Greek In new Arcadia. To him
lero was Diana, strong, strange, sim
Ne, even crude almost 20 naturalness.
Iet admirably pure In spirit and I'm,
'ued with highest womanly aspira;
ions. TO her Beverley represented the
.reat outside AREA OF life. He came to
Ier from wonderland, beyond the Wide