The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-10-31

"ThereT bea JolIy time Of Il tonight
Rene o. Ronville remarked; "a roaring
time" ~
why do you say that my sonT' the
priest demanded
"The wine and the liquor" was the
reply. "Much drinking win be done.
The men have all been dry here for
some time, you know, and are as
thirsty as sand. They are making
ready 20 enjoy themselves down at the
river house"
"Ah, the poor soulsr' sighed Father
Beret, speaking as one whose thoughts
were wandering far away.
"why don't you read your letter,
Fatheri" Rene added
The priest started. turned the soiled
square OF paper over In his hand, then
thrust il inside his robe.
1T can wait" he said. Then, chang
ing his voice: "The squirrels you gave
me were excellent, my son. II was
good of you TO think OF me" he added.
laying his hand ON Rene's arm.
"Oh. I'm glad II | have pleased you,
Father Berct for you are 50 Kind to
me always. and 10 everybody. When
killed the squirrels ! said 20 myself:
'rhese are young. Juicy and tender;
Father Beret must have these 20
brought them along"
The young man rose TO 80, for he
was somehow impressed that Father
Beret must wish opportunity to read
his letter and would prefer 70 be left
alone with It. But the priest pulled
him down again.
"Stay awhile" he said. II have not
had talk with you for some time"
Rene looked trine uneasy.
"YOu win not drink any tonight. my
SON." Father Beret added "You must
not DO you hearT
The young mans eyes ana mouth at
once began to have sullen express
sion. Evidently he was not pleased and
felt nbelllous, but II was hard for him
TO resist Father Beret whom he loved,
as did every soul IN the post. The
priests voice was sweet and gentle.
yet positive to a degree, Rene did not
say word.
Promise me that you win not taste
ilquor this night" Father Beret went
on. grasplug the young mans arm
firmly promise me, my son; promise
me-"
still Rene was silent The men did
not lool, al each other but gazed away
across the country beyond the Wabash
20 where a glory from the western sun
famed on the upper rim OF great
cloud fragment creeping along the hori-
zon.
"Eh bien. must no." said Rene pres
entity. getting 60 his feet nlmbly and
eyadlng Father Beets hand. which
would have held him.
"Not 70 the river house, my sonf"
said the priest appeahngly.
"No, not there. have another letter;
one for M'sleu' Rousslllon. II came by
the boat too. I 90 TO give " TO Nine
Roussillon."
Rene dc Ronville was a dark, weather
stained young fellow. neither tall nor
short. wearing buckskln moccaslns,
trousers and mnic Hls eyes were dark
brown. keen, quick moving, set well
under heavy brows. A razor had prob
ably never touched his face. and his
thin. curly beard erinkhd over his
strongly turned checks and chin, while
his mustachcs sprang out quite fierceiy
above his fun Tipped, almost sensual
mouth lie looked wiry and active. a
man not 60 be lightly reckoned with In
trial Of bodily strength and viii
power.
Fnther Beret's face and voice chang
ed on the instant. lie laughed dryiy
and said. with sly gleam In HIS eyes
You could spend the evening pleas.
nntly with Nine. Il0usslllon ana jean.
jean you know, h n very amusing fell
low"
Rene brought forth the letter Of
which he had spoken and held u up be-
fore Father Borets face.
Maybe yOu think I haven't any let.
Ter for MsieT RoussiDon," be blurted.
"and maybe You are qnlte certain that
! am not going 70 tbe hOsse ~ take the
letter"
IN. ROussillon n absent. yOu know. {"
Father Beret suggested. "Hat cherry
piles ARE just as good whtle he's gone
aa when he's at home, and I happen TO
know that there are Some particularly
delicious ones IN the pantry Of Nine.
R0ussillon. hlle. Ahce gave me a
juicy sample but then ! dale say YOU
do not care 10 have your pie served by
her hand. II wonld Interfere with
your appetite. Eh my sonr
Rene turned short abouts wagging
his head ana mughng, ana 40 with his
fnck to the priest he atrode away along
th" We pa'h leading to the Roussilion
place.
Father Bcrct Gnzed after him. his
face relnxing 20 serious expression
In which trace Of sndAess ana gloom
spread like an elusive twilight lie
took out his letter. but ana not glance
at H. simply holding II tightly gripped
In his slnewy right hand Then hts
old eyes stared vacantly, ~ eyes do
when their sight II cast back many.
many years into the past. The mis-
aiVe wis from beyond the sen-h he