Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1903-11-19

custom when hc called. They sat to-
cether In the main room Of the house,
where NJ. RouSsillon kept his books, his
curiosities Of Indian manufacture col
lected here and there. and his surplus
firearms, swords. pistols and knives.
ranged not unpleasingly around the
walls.
or course, along with the letter. Rene
bore the news. 50 interesting 10 him
self. of the boats tempting cargo just
discharged at the river house. Alice
understood her friends danger-felt IL
I'm the intense enthusiasm of his voice
and manner She had once seen the
men carousing on a similar occasion
when she was but child. and the i'm
preston then made still remained in
her memory. lnstinctively she resolved
20 hold Rene 10y one means or another
away from the river house If possible.
So she managed to keep him occupied
eating pie. slipping watered claret and
chatting until night came on and Nine.
Roussillon brought in a lamp. Then
he hurriedly snatchcd his cap from the
floor beside him and got up 10 go.
Come and look at my handiwork.'
Alice quickly said; my shelf Of pies,
| mean" She led him TO the pantry.
where dozen or more Of the cherry
pates were ranged in order. Il made
every one OF them this morning and
baked them; had them all out Of the
oven before the rain came up. Don't
you think me a wonder of cleverness
and Industry Father Beret was polite
enough TO hatter me: but you-you just
eat what you want and say nothing!
You are not polite. NJ. Rene de Ron
Vile"
i've been showing you what
thought OF your goodies" said Rene.
"Eaung's better than talking. you
know. so I'll just take one more" and
he helped himself Isn't that compli-
ment enoughT"
"A few such would make me another
hot days work" she replied, laughing.
Pretty talk would be cheaper and
more satisfactory in the long run.
Even the -four in these pates ! ground
WIFI lily ONH manu- III an luNlldll lllhl
tar. That was hard work too
by this time Rene had forgotten the
river house and the liquor. With sof-
tening eyes he gazed at Alice's rounded
cheeks and sheeny hair over which the
light from the curious earthen lamp
she bore in her hand tlickered most eff
fectivcly. He loved her madly, but his
fear Of her was more powerful than
his love She gave him no opportunity
to speak what he felt. having ever ready
quick, bright change of mood and
manner when she saw him plucking up
courage 10 Address her i'm a sentimental
way. Their relations had long been
somewhat familiar, which was but nat
ural. considering their youth and the
circumstances of their daily life, but
Alice somehow had kept certain dis
lance open between them, SO that very
warm friendship could not suddenly re-
solve itself into n troublesome passion
on Rene's part
We need not attempt 10 analyze a
young girls feelings and motives in
such a case. What she does and what
she thinks are mysteries even To her
own understanding. The influence most
potent in shaping the rudimentary
character OF Alice Tarleton (called
RoussiIlon) had been only such as a
lonely frontier post could generate.
Her associations with men and women
had, with few exceptions. been unprOf-
At a In, oil xtra Nxrhf h..H
reading in NJ Roussillon'S little library
could not have given her any practical
knowledge of manners and life.
Her affection for Rene was interfercd
with 10y her large admiration for the
heroic, maSterful and magnetic knights
who charged through the romances OF
the Roussillon collection. For although
Rene was unquestionably brave and
more than passably handsome, he had
no armor, no war horse, no shining
lance and embossed shield-the differ
ence. indeed, was great.
Perhaps II was the light and beat of
Imagination shining out through Alice's
face which gave her beauty such fas
chatting power Rene saw it and felt
its electrical stroke send a sweet shiver
through his heart while he stood before
her.
"You are very beautiful tonight,
Alice" he presently said, with a sud
denness which took even her alermess
by surprise A flush rose TO his dark
face and Immediately gave way to n
grayish pallor. His heart came near