Evening times-Republican., 1903-09-16

cherries, eating every one Of them, and
that girl running of somewhere instead
of staying here and picking them she
rallied in answer to the young mans
polite inquiry. II haven't seen her
these four hours, neither her nor that
rascally hunchback. Jean. They're UP
to some mischief, I'll be boundv'
Nine. Roussillon puffed audibly be-
tween phrases, but she suddenly be-
came very mild when relieved Of her
trade.
''Mais entrez," she added in a pleas
ant tone, 'come in and tell me the
news
Rene's disappointment rushed into
his face, but lie managed to laugh it
aside.
Father Beret has just been telling
me-" said Nine. Roussillon, that our
friend Long Hair made some trouble
last night. How about it?'
Rene told her what he knew and
added that Long Hair would probably
never be seen again.
''He was shot, no doubt of it," he
went On. "and is now being nibbled by
fish and turtles. We tracked him by
his blood to where he jumped into the
Wabash. He never came out"
Strangely enough. it happened that
at the very time Of this chat between
Nine Roussillon and Rene, Alice was
bandaging Long Hairs wounded leg
with strips &c her apron. 1t was under
some willows which overhung the bank
Of a narrow and shallow lagoon or
slough, which III those days extended
mile or two back into the country
on the farther side of the river. Alice
and Jean went over in a pirogue TO see
If the water lilies, haunting pond
there, were yet beginning to bloom.
They landed at convenient spot some
distance up the little lagoon. made the
boat fast by dragging it's prov high
ashore, and were on the point OF setting
out across a neck Of wet, grassy land
to the pond. when a deep grunt, not
unlike that of self satisfied pig, at
tracted them. to the willows, where
they discovered Long Hair, badly
wounded, weltering in some black mud.
His hiding place was cunningly
chosen, save that the mire troubled
him, letting him down by slow degrees,
and threa tening to engulf him bodily;
and he was now too weak to extricate
himself. He lifted his head and glared.
His face was grimy, his hair matted
with mud. Alice, although brave
enough and quite accustomed to start
ling expert. ees. uttered cry when
she saw th, snaky eyes glistening so
savagely amid the shadows. But Jean
was quick to recognize Long Hair. He
had often seen him about town. figure
not to be forgotten.
"They've been hunting him every
where he said in half whisper to
Alice. clutching the skirt Of her dress.
Its Long Hair, the, Indian wi.o stole
the brandy. | know him.
Alice recoiled pace or two.
Lets go back and tell 'em," Jean
added. still whispering. ''They want to
kill him; Oncle Jazon said So Come
on.''
IAS give uCi ulCSS q JSl ~ W. SAAN
did not move any farther back. She
was looking at the blood oozing from
wound in the Indians leg.
'He is shot, he is hurt. Jean; we
must help him." she presently said, re-
covering her self control, yet still pale.
I'VE must get him out Of that bad
place.
Jean caught A,ice's merciful spirit
with sympathetic readiness and
showed immediate willingness to aid
her.
1t was difficult thing to do. but
there was will and of course q way.
They had knives with which they cut
willows to make standing place OH
the m,ld While they were doing this
they spoke friendly words to Long
Hair, who understood French little.
and at last they got hold OF his arms.
tugged, rested, tugged again and finally