Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-08

Alice and Beverley were Soon IN the
whirl Of the dance, forgetful OF every
thing but an exhilaration stirred to its
utmost by Oncle Jazon's music. " hen
their dance was ended they fo..1wed
the others of their set out into the open
air while q fresh stream Of eager dane
ers poured in. Beverley insisted upon
wrapping Alice in her mantle OF un'
lined beaver skin against the searching
winter breath. They did not go to the
fire, but walked back and forth, chat
ting until their turn to dance should
come again. pausing frequently to ex-
change pleasantries with some of tie
people. Curiously enough both of them
had forgotten the fact that other young
men would be sure to ask Alice for
dance and that more than one pretty
creole lass was rightfully expecting
gddy turn with the stalwart and hand
some Lieutenant Beverley.
Rene de Ronville before long broke
rudely into their selfish dream and led
Alice into the house. This reminded
Beverley Of his social duty; wherefore,
seeing little Adrienne Bourcier, he
made rush and secured her at a
swoop from the midst Of scrambling
circle Of mutually hindered young men.
GALLONS, ma petite" he cried, quite in
the gay tone Of the occasion, and swung
her lightly along with him.
1t was like an eagle dancing with a
linnet, or a giant with a fairy, when
the big lieutenant led out la petite
Adrienne, as everybody called her. The
honor Of Beverley's attention sat un'
appreciated on Adriennes mind, for aE
her thoughts went with her eyes to-
ward Rene and Alice. Nor was Bever
ley so absorbed in his partners behalf
that he ever for Il moment willingly
lost sight of the floating buff gown, the
shining brown hair and the beautifu.
face, which formed, indeed, the center
of attraction for all eyes.
1t was some time before Beverley
could ag;dn secure Alice for dance,
and he found it annoying him afro
ciously to see her smile sweetly Oh
some buckskin clad lout who looked
like an Indian and danced like Pari-
sian. He did not greatly enjoy most
of his partners; they could not appeal
to any side of his nature just then.
Not that he at all times stood too much
on his aristocratic traditions, or lacked
the yirile traits common to vigorous
and worldly minded men, but the con-
trast between Alice and the other girls
present was somehow an absolute bar
to democratic freedom of the sort de-
manded by the occasion. He met
Father Beret and passed few pleas
ant words with him.
"They have honored your flag, my
son, am glad to see," the priest said
pointing with smile to where, In one
corner the banner that bore Alices
name was effectively draped.
Beverley had not noticed 1t before
and when he presently got possession
of Alice he asked her to tell him tile
story of how she planted it on the fort
although he had heard 1t to the last
detail from Father Beret just mo-
ment ago. They stood together under
its folds while she naively sketched the
scene for him, even down to her pic
turesquely disagreeable interview Will
Long Hair, mention Of whom led up to
the story of the Indians race with the
stolen dame jeanne Of brandy under his
arm on that memorable night and the
subsequent services performed for him
by Father Beret and her after she ano
Jean had found him in the mud beyond
tho river