Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-11-24

ing shrewdly at NJ. Roussillon out Of
the tail Of his eye.
"Its on the back of his shoulder y
quickly spoke up NJ. Roussillon. "and
you know priests never use looking
glasses. The mark is quite invisible
therefore so FAR as Father Beret is con.
cernedv'
"You never told me Of your birth
mark before. my daughter" said Fa-
ther Bcret. turning 10 Alice with sud.
den interest! 1T may some day be
good fortune to you.'
"Why so. fatherT
"If Your family name Is really Tarle.
ton. as you suppose from the inscrip-
tion on your lockct. the birthmark. be-
ing of such singular shape. would prob
ably identify you. 1t IL said that these
marks run regularly in families. With
the miniature and the distinguishing
birthmark you have enough to make a
strong case should You once find the
right Tarleton family"
"You talk as they write in novels"
said Alice. "I've read about just such
things i'm them. Wouldn't It be grand
If should turn out to be some great
parsonage In disguise"
The mention of novels reminded
Father Beret Of that terrible book
which he last saw in Alice's possession,
and he could not refrain from men,
tioning It I'm voice that shuddered.
crest easy. Father Beret." said Alice.
"That Is one novel have found Who'll
~ dIstasteful to me. tried to read II,
but could not do it. flung 1t aside
in utter disgust. You and Mother
ROussillon are welcome to hide 1t deep
as a well for ali care. don't enjoy
reading about low. vile people and
hopeless unfortunates. l like sweet
and lovely heroines and strong, high
souled, brave heroes.
"Read about the blessed saints, then.
my daughter. You will find in them
the true heroes and herOines Of this
world" said Father Beret.
NJ. RoussillOn changed the subject,
for he always somehow dreaded to
have the good priest fall into the strain
of argument he was about to begin. A
stray sheep, no matter how refractory,
feels touch of longing when 1t hears
the shepherds voice. NJ. Roussillon
was Catholic. but a straying one, and
he had promised the dying woman
who gave Alice to him that the child
should be left as she was, Protestant,
without undue influence to change her
from the faith of her parents. This
promise he had kept with stubborn per-
sistence. and he meant to keep it as
long as he lived.
A few weeks had passed after NJ.
Roussillon's return when that big
hearted man took 1t into his head to
celebrate his successful trading ven
lures with moonlight dance given
without reserve to all tine inhabitants
of Vincennes. 1t was certainly dem
O, ratio function that he contemplated.
and motley to a most picturesque ex-
tent.
Rene de Ronville called upon Alice a
day or two previous to the occasion
and duly engaged her as his partenaire,
but she insisted upon having the en-
gagement guarded in her behalf by
condition so obviously fanciful that he
accepted it without argument.
"If my wandering knight should ar
rive during the dance, you promise to
stand aside and give place to him."
she stipulated. You promise that?
You see, I'm expecting him all the
time. dreamed last night that he
came on a great bay horse and, stoop'
ing, whirled me up behind the saddle
and away we went"
There was a childish, half bantering
air in her look, but her voice sounded
earnest and serious, Notwithstanding
its delicious timbre Of suppressed play
fulness.
"You promise me?" she insisted.
"Oh, / promise to slink away into
corner and chew my thumb the mo-
ment he comes!' Rene eagerly assent
ed. "Of course I'm taking great risk,
III know, for lords and barOns and
knights are very apt to appear sudden
" in place like this"
"You may banter and make light II
you want to-" she said, pouting ad-
mirably. II don't care. All the same,
the laugh will jump to the other corner
of your mouth; see II 1t doesn't. They
say that what person dreams about
and wishes for and waits for and be-
lieves in will come true sooner or
later"
"If that's sO," said Rene, 'yOu and
will get married, for I've dreamed II
every night of the year, wished for II,
waited for 1t and believed in 1t, and
"a very pretty twist you give to my
words, must declare" she said, but
not new by any means. Little Adrienne
Bourcier could tell you that. She says
that YOU have vowed to her over and
over that you dream about her and
wish for her and wait for her, precisely
as you have just said to me-"
Rene's brown face flushed to the tem-
pies, partly with anger. partly with the
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 Ronvllle," 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.
T promise anything you ask me TO-
he said res;gnedly, almost sullenly.
Anything for you"
"Well, / ask nothing whatever on
nv own account" Alice quickly replied,