Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-17
ALICE OF OLD vINcENNEs.
CONTINUED on Fourth Page.)

shock of mingled surprise and fear.
He was guilty. and the guilt showed
in his eyes and paralyzed his tongue,
so that he sat there before Alice with
his under jaw sagging ludicrously.
Don't you rather think, NJ Rene
de Ronville." she presently added in
calm, advisory tone. that you had
better quit trying to say such foolish
things to me and just be my very good
friend? If you don't do. which comes
to the same thing. What's more,
won't be your partenaire at the dance
unless you promise me on your word
of honor that you will dance two
dances with Adrienne to every one
that you have with me. DO you prom
ise?"
He dared not oppose her outwardly,
although in his heart resistance
amounted to furious revolt and riot.
II promise anything you ask me to-"
he said resignedly, almost sullenly
Anything for YOU
well. l ask nothing whatever on
my own account" Alice quickly replied,
"but do tell you firmly that you shall
not maltreat little Adrienne Bourcier
and remain friend of mine. She loves
you, Rene de Ronvllle, and you have
told her that you love her. If you are
a man worthy of respect you will not
desert her. Don't you think l am
right?"
Like q singed and crippled moth vain
~ trying to rise once again to the al
Turing yet deadly fame. Rene de Ron
vile essayed to break ont of his en-
barrassment and resume equal footing
with the girl so suddenly become his
commanding superior. but the effort
disclosed 10 him as we'll as to her that
he had fallen to rise no more. In his
abject defeat he accepted the terms
dictated by Alice and was glad when
she adroitly changed her manner and
tone in going on to discuss the APP
preaching dance.
Now let ME make one request OF
YOU" he demanded after awhile. "It's
Il small favor May ask it!'
Yes, but don't grant it in advance
II want you to wear, for my sake, the
buff gown which they say was your
grandinotller's."
mo, I won't wear it."
''But why, AliceY
'sNone of the other girls have anything
Hike such dress. 1t would not be right
for me to put it on and make them all
feel that had taken the advantage Of
them. just because I could. That's
WHY
But. then none Of them is beautiful
and educated like you" he said. "YOu'll
outshine them anyway"
"Save your compliments for poor
pretty little Adrienne." she firmly re-
sponded. Il positively do not wish to
hear them. l have agreed to be your
partenaire at This dance Of Papa Rous-
sillons, but it is understood between us
that Adrienne is your sweetheart.
am not. and I'm not going to be either.
So for your sake and Adrienne's, as
well as out Of consideration for the rest
of the girls who have no fine dresses, l
am not going to wear the buff brocade
gown that belonged to Papa Roussil-
Ions mother long ago. shall dress
Just as the rest do
1t is safe to say that Rene de Ron
vile went home with troublesome bee
In his bonnet. He was not bad heart
ed fellow. Many a right good young
man before him and since has loved an
Adrienne and been dazzled by an Alice.
A violet is sweet, but a rose is the gar
den's queen. The poor youthful from
tiersman ought to have been stronger,
but he was not, and what have we to
say?
The dance did not come of It had
to be postponed indefinitely on account
Of grave change in the political rela-
tons Of the little post. A day or two
before the time set for that function
rumor ran through the town that
something of Importance was about to
happen. Father Gibault, at the head
of small party, had arrived from
KaskaslSia, far away on the Mississippi,
with the news that France and the
American colonies had made common
cause against the English in the great
war Of which the people Of Vincennes
neither knew the cause nor cared a
straw about the outcome.
1t was Oncle Jazon who came to the
Roussillon place to tell NJ. Roussillon
that he was wanted at the river house.
Alice met him at the door.
Come in, Oncle Jazon,' she cheerily
said. you are getting to be stranger
at our house lately. Come in. What
news do you bring? Take off your cap
and rest your hair, Oncle Jazon."
The scalpless old fighter chuckled
and bowed to the best Of his
ability. He not only took off his queer
cap, but looked into it with startled
gaze, as if he expected something in
fnitely dangerous to jump out and
seize his nose.
"a thousand thanks. m'am'selle," he
said. Twill We please tell
Msieu' Roussillon that would wish
to see imp
EYES, Oncle Jazon; but first be seated
and let me offer you just drop OF eau
dc vie. some that Papa Roussillon
brought back with him from Quebec.
He says it's old and fine"
She poured him full glass, then,
setting the bottle on little stand, went
to find M. Roussillon. While she was
absent Oncle Jazon improved his OPP
portunity to the fullest extent. At least
three additional glasses OF the brandy
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