Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1903-11-28
You Jest. monsieur

Il 80 EAEaAkAL kAkLa ~ ~
Ion before you shoot him" She tosse
her head.
"Hs is already a prisoner In u
fort"
Alice turned pale.
Monsieur, Is this true7" Her volc
had lost its happy tone. Are you tell
ing me that to-
You can verify IT, mademoiselle. b,
calling upon the commander at th
fort. am sorry that you doubt VI,
veraeity. II you will go with me
will show you NJ. Roussfllon a Tight,
bound prisoner"
Jean had crept out OF the gate ant
was standing Just behind Alice, Will
his feet wide apart, his long chin eie
waited, his head resting far back be
tween his upthrust shoulders. hi,
hands In his pockets, his uncanny eyes
gazing steadily mt F~urnsworth. lie
looked like a deformed frog ready "a
jump.
Alice Enthusiastically saw truth in the
captains countenance and felt It in
his voice. The reality came to hcr
with unhindcred effect. NJ. Roussil-
Ions life depended upon the return Of
the Tag. She put her hands together
and for a moment covered her eyes
with them.
IL will 20 now, mademoiselle," said
Farnsworth, but / hope you will be
in great haste about returning the
flag"
Jean took hold Of Alice's dress as she
turned to go back into the house.
"Is he going to take the flag2 Can
he find III What does he want with
III What did you do with the flag.
AllceY' he whlned in his peculiar.
quavering voice. Where is itY'
Her skirt dragged him along as she
walked.
Where did you put II, Alice2"
"Father Beret hid II under his floor"
she answered inyoluntarily and almost
uncOnsciously. Il shall have to take
It back and give It up"
"No~no-I wouldn't" he quavered,
dancing across the veranda as she
Q~uickened her pace aud fairly spun
him along. 81 wouldn't let 'em have
II at all"
Alice's mind was working with light
ming speed. Her Imagination took
strong grip on the situation 80 briefly
and effectively sketched by Captain
Farnsworth. Her decision formed H.
self quickly.
"stay here, Jean. l am going TO the
Don't tell Mamma Roussillon q
thing. BE a good boy"
She was gone before Jean could say
a word. She meant to face Hamilton
nj once and be sure what danger men
Rced NJ. Roussillon. or course, the
Gag must be given up II that would
ave her foster father any pain. and
Il his life were I'm question there could
not be too great haste on her part.
She ran directly TO the stockade gate
md breathlessly Informed a sentinel
hat she must see Governor Hamilton. |
nto whose presence she was soon led.
Farnsworth had preceded her
)ut a minute or two. and was present
when size entered the miserable shed
DOM where the commander was hay
ng another tnlk with NJ. Rousslllon.
The meeting was a tableau which
would have been comical but for the
PRESSURE Of Its tragic possibilities.
Hamilton, stern and sententious, stood
ROWING upon NJ. Roussillon, who sat
lpon the ground, his feet and hands
lightly bound. a colossal statue OF In
ured innocence.
Alice. as soon ns she saw NJ. Roussii-
on, uttered n cry Of sympathetic en-
earment aud lung herself toward him
1ith open arms. She could not reach
round his great shoulders, but she
Ill her bcst 10 include the whole bulk.
Papa! Papa ROussillony' she CHR
uped between the kisses that she
lowered upon his weather beaten
ace.
Hamilton ana Farnsworth regarded
be scene with curiogs and surprised
NJ. RousSlllon began speak.
~ rapidly. but being a Frenchman
g could not get ON well with his
)ngue while his hands we're tied. lie
ould shrug his shoulders; that helped
i'm some.
4 hm 10 DC snot' ma peule, ne pa.
ietically growled In his deep bass
dice; "shot like a dog az sunrise TO
lorrow."
Alice kissed NJ. aOusslllon's rougn
heck once more and sprang TO her
'et facing Hamilton,
"You are not such a aend and brute
TO kill Papa Rousslllon." she cried.
Why do YOU want 70 InJure my poor
,Od papar'
Il believe you are the young lady
al stole the hagY' Hamilton remark
!, smiling CONTEMPORARY.
She looked at him with a swift fash
Indignation as he uttered these
Ords.
Il am not a thief, I could not steal
bat was my own, | helped to make
az dag. IL was named after me.
ok Il because Il was mine, You .
iderstand me, monsieur"
Tell where Il IL aud your fathers
. win be spared"
~. .t...,r - A. n...ut.- i