The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-09-15


| agent for the American government in
WAS welcomed by the villagers and at
once made himself very pleasing to
them by adapting himself TO their ways
and entering heartily into their social
activities.
VI. Roussillon was absent when Cap
tain Helm and his party came. Rene
de Ronvile nominally in command of
the fort, but actually enjoying some cx-
cellent grouse shooting with bell
mouthcd old fowling piece on n distant
prairie, could not be present TO deliver
up the post, and as there was no garri-
son Just then visible Helm took pos
session without any forInalities.
Il think. lieutenant, that you'd better
look around through the village and see
If you can scare up this Captain What's
his-name," said the new commander TO
a stalwart young officer who had come
with him. II can't think of these
French names without getting my brain
in a twist DO you happen TO recollect
the captains name. lieutenant?"
Eyes, sir-Gaspard Roussillon it reads
in Colonel Clark's order. but am told
that he's away on a trading tour" said
the young man.
You may be told anything by these
hair tongued parlyvoos," Helm remark
ed. ut won't hurt, anyway, To find out
where he lives and make a formal call,
just for appearance sake. and to in
quire about his health. | wish you
would try it. sir, and let me know the
result"
The lieutenant felt that this was n
peremptory order and turned about TO
obey promptly.
And | say. Beverley, come back So
Der II you possibly can" Helm added
in his most genial tone, thinking it q
great piece of humor TO suggest sObri
ETY. to n man whose marked difference
from the men of that time was his to-
tai abstinence from intoxicating drinks.
Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley was a
Nirginlan Of Nirginians. His family
had long been prominent in colonial
affairs and boosted a record of great
achievements both in peace and in war.
He was the only son of his parents
and heir TO n fine estate consisting Of
lands and slaves; but, like many an
otbcr OF the restless young cavaliers
OF the Old Dominion, he had como in
| search of adventure over into Ken
lucky. along the path blazcd by Dan
lei Boone. and when Clark organized
his little army the young mans
patriotic and chivalrlc nature leapcd
at the opportunity 10 serve his country
under so gallant commander.
Intent upon his formal mission. Lieu
tenant Beverley stalked boldly into the
Enclosure at ROussillon place and was
met on the gallery by Nine Roussillon
in one of her worst moods. She glared
nj him with her hands on her hips, her
mouth set irritably aslant upward. her
eyebrows gathered into dark knot
over her nose. II would be hard to
imagine Il more forbidding counte-
nance, and for supplementary effect out
popped hunchback Jean TO stand be-
hind her. with his big head lying back
in the hollow of his shoulders and his
long chin elevated, while he gawped in
tently up into Beverley's face.
Bon jour, madame" said the lieu
tenant, lifting his hat and speaking
with a pleasant accent. Would IL be
agreeable to Captain Roussillon for
me to see him moment?"
Despite Beverley's cleverncss il us
ing the French language he had a de-
90 nd
curt turn of voice not in the least Gal
lie. True. the soft Nirginian intonation
marked every word, and his obeisance
was as low as If Nine. Roussillon had
been a queen. but the light French
grace was wholly lacking.
What do you want of my husbandT'
Mime. Roussillon demanded.
Nothing unpleasant. l assure you,
madame" said Beverley.
well, he's not ut home. m'sieu': he's
up the river for few days"
She relaxed her stare, united her
eyebrows and even let fall her hands
from her shelfllxe hips.
Thank you. madame" said Bever-
ley, bowling again. Il am sorry not to
have seen HIM"
As he was turning 10 go a simmer
OF brown hair streaked with gold
struck upon his vision from just with
in the door. lie paused, as If in re-
Spouse TO Il military command, while n
pair of gray eyes met his with flash.
The cabin room was i'll lighted but the
crcpuScular dlmness did not seem to
hinder his sight, Beyond the girls
figure a pair of slender swords hung
crossed aslant on the wall opposite the
low door,
The rough frame of the doorway
gave Just the rustic setting suited 10
Alice's costume, the most striking part
of which was grayish short gown
ending Just above her frlnged buck
skin moccaslns. Around her head she
had bound a blue kerchief. wide cor.
ner of which lay over her crown like
n loose cap. Her bright hair hung free
upon her shoulders In tumbled half