Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-06

stTAoe f1g s7eaaEs not conoe.doace s0oe Gfs
 fassl horoT.@
 was almost blowing away in the cold wind-~that nag shaH not come down save4in full honeT."
 His speech sounded preposteEously boestful. and hollow, but he was man fully in earnest. Every word came from his rbraza sheaRt.
 Father Beretls gEtn smile returned, ligsat4ng up his strongly marked face with the strangest expression imagina- ble.
 we will get ail~theswomen inside the fort, Helm beganvtosSay.
 Where the Indaans wfM find them ready penned up&and at their mercy" quickly interpolated the priest. That will not do. z
 Well, then, what scanybe done" Rev. erley demanded, turning with fierce stare upon Father Beret. Don't stand there objecting to everything, with not suggestion of your own to offer
 T know what issbest for my people" the old man rephed ssoftly, still smil- ing. "I have advisedsthem to stay in side their houses and, take no part in the military event. 1t is the only hope of ayerting an indiscrinninate massacre and things worse"
 The curt phrase things worse" went like a bullet stroke through Rev. erley's heart. It flashed an awful pic ture upon his vision FatherBeret saw his face wfriten and his ips+set them selves to resist great emotion.
 Do not be angry with me, my son," ]" he said, laying a hand on the young mans arm. "I may be wrong, but I act upon long and convincing experi- ence''
 Experience or no experience" Helm [ exclaimed, with an oath, ''this fort must be manned and defended. am commanding herep'
 "Yes, recognize your authority re- sponded the priest in firm yet defer ential tone, land I heartily wish you had garrison. But where is your com mand, Captain HelmY' Where is my garrison, you ask! Yes, and can tell you. It's where you might expect gang of dad blasted l Jabbering French good for nothings l to be, off high gannicking around shooting buffaloes instead of staying here and defending their wives, c11il- dren, homes and country! The few I have in the fort will sneak off, sup pose"
 1 'grhe French gave you this post on easy terms, captain" blandly retorted Father Beret.
 41. Hamilton, you think, on the same basis, s,' cried Helm, ''but I'll show you! I'll show you, MT. Priestr'
 Pardon me, captain The French. are loyal to you and to the flag wonder. They have sworn it. Time will prove it. But in the present desperate dilem- ma we must choose the safer horn"
 Saying this Father Beret turned about and went his way He was chuckling heartily as he passed out of the gate
 ''He is right" said Beverley after a few moments of reflection, during which he was wholly occupied with Alice, whose terrified face in his an. ticipation appealed to him from the midst of bowling savages, smoking cabins and mangled victims of lust and massacre. His imagination painted the scene with mercfless realism that chilled his blood. All the sweet TO nance fell away from vincennes.
 Well, sir, right or wrong, your duty | is to obey orders" said Helm with bru tai severity.
 ''We had better not quarrel, cap tain,' Beverley replied T have no1 signiied any unwf1Iingness to obey your commands. Give them, and yot will have no cause to grumbIe.s'
 Forgive me, old fellowH' cried ths Ampulsive commander. 'T know yor are true as steel. I s'pose I'm wount up too tight to be, polite But the tim, is coming to do something. Here WI are with but five or six mem
 He was interrupted by the arrival o two more half breed scouts.
 Only three miles away was a larg, hotilla of boats and canoes with can the British flag hying-tnat was m report
 ''They are moving rapidly" said tn spokesman, land will be here ver1 soon. They are at least 600 strong, al we'll, armed"
 Push that sgunsto the gate and Ioaa it to, the-nazzie, .lieute Beverley, Helm ordered wath admirable firm ness, the purple flush In ahis face, gfvin ] l way to a grayish. paIlor. we are .gc } ing to die Eight slaere or sha EesSttev vhen