Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-12-10

still plucking at his arm. Il cant SEQ Il
thing. and you won't tell me-
ooh, it's nothing" he presently an
swercd rather fretfully. Then he
stopped. lowered his voice and added:
Its Mile Roussillon all dressed up
like Il bride or something. She's got OH
Il buff silk dress that NJ. Roussilon's
mother had in Franco
"How beautiful she must look cried
the girl. Il wish could see h"r.'
Rene put a hand OH each side Of her
slender waist and lifted her high. SO
that her pretty head rose above the
crowding people. Alice CHANGED to turn
her face that way just then and saw
the unconventional performance. Her
eyes met those of !Adriennc and She
gave nod of smiling recognition. 1t
was Il rose bcaming upon gillynower.
NJ. Roussillon naturally understood
that all this stir and crowding to see
was but another demonstration Of his
personal popularity. He bowed and
waved Il vast hand.
But the master of ceremonies called
loudly for the dancers to take their
places. Oncle Jazon attacked his fiddle
with startling energy. Those who were
not to dance formed compact double
line around the wall, the shorter ones
in front, the taller in the rear.
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. When
their dance was ended they followed
the others of their set out into the open
air while a fresh stream of eager dane
ers poured in. Beverley insisted upon
wrapping Alice in her mantle of I'M
lined beaver skin against the searching
winter breath. They did not go to the
ire, but walked back and forth, chat
Ding until their turn to dance should
come again, pausing frequently to ex-
change pleasantries with some Of the
people. Curiously enough both Of them
had forgotten the fact that other young
men would be sure to ask Alice for a
dance and that more than one pretty
creole lass was rightfully expecting a
giddy turn with the stalwart and hand
some Lieutenant Beverley.
Rene de Ronville before long broke
budely 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 a 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.
It was like an eagle dancing with q
Nnnet, or giant with a fairy, when
the big lieutenant led out 10 petite
Adrienne, as everybody called her. The
honor Of Beverley's attention sat un.
appreciated on Adrienne's mind, for oil
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 moment willingly
lost sight of the floating bun gown, the
shining brown hair and the beautiful
face, which formed, indeed, the center
Of attraction for all eyes.
1t was some time before Beverley
could again secure Alice for dance,
and he found it annoying him afro
ciously to see her smile sweetly on
some buckskin clad lout who looked
like an Indian and danced like a 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 virile traits common to vigorous
and worldly minded men, but the con-
trast between Alice and the other g.-ls
present was somehow an absolute bar
to democratic freedom Of the sor: 6,
manded by the occasion. IKE -.
Father Beret and passed few p.
ant words with him.
''They have honored your
son, am glad to see." the l:.
pointing with smile to where. -, ",
corner, the banner that bore .s..~c
name was effectively draped.
Beverley had not noticed it before.
and when he presently got possession
VI AAACC lac 10heO LICK " lCAA AAM IAC
story of how she planted 1t 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 with
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 and
Jean had found him In the mud beyond
the river.
The dancing went on at a furious pace
while they stood there. Now and again
Q youth came to claim her, but she
ea1d abe was tirsd and begged to rest
sWhils. smiling % SEacioualy NOON each
90 that hls r0bu& thr1led him - e it
~ bean tie nast 0Ae4osing at e ten