Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-01

Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley was
Virginian of Virginians. His family
had long been prominent in colonial
affairs and boasted record Of great
achievements both in peace and in war.
He was the only son Of his parents
and heir to q fine estate consisting OF
lands and slaves; but, like many an
other of the restless young cavaliers
of tie Old Dominion, he had come In
search of adventure over into Ken
tucky. along the path blazed by Dan
iel Boone. and when Clark organized
his little army the young mans
patriotic and chivalric nature leaped
ut tic @! ao::.:::::li:y to serve his country
under so gallant commander.
In,cn; Gpan lis formal mission. Lieu
tenant Beverley stalked bodily into the
inclosu.e at Roussillon place and was
met on the gallery by Nine. Roussillon
in one OF her worst moods. She Slared
at him with her hands on her hips, her
mouth set irri,ably aslant upward. her
eyebrows gathered into dark knot
over her n.sc. 1t would be hard to
imagine more forbidding counte-
nance. and for supplementary effect out
popped hunchback Jean to stand be-
hind her, with his big head lying back
in the hollow of his shoulders and his
long chin elevated, while he gawped in
tently up into Beverley's face.
"Bon jour, madame" said the lieu
tenant, lifting his hat and speaking
with pleasant accent. would it be
agreeable to Captain Roussillon for
me to see him a moment!"
Despite Beverley's cleverness in u.s.
ing the French language he had a de-
cided brusqueness Of manner and a
curt turn of voice not in the least Gal
lie. True, the soft Virginian intonation
marked every word, and his Obeisance
was as low as if Nine. Roussillon had
been queen, but the light French
grace was wholly lacking.
"What do you want Of my husbandT
Nine. Roussillon demanded.
Nothing unpleasant. / assure you
madame" said Beverley.
"Well, he's not at home, m'sieu'; he's
up the river for few days"
She relaxed her stare, united her
eyebrows and even let fall her hands
from her shelflike hips.
Thank you, madame" said Bever-
ley, bowing again. 81 am sorry not to
have seen him."
AS he was turning to 60 simmer
of brown hair streaked with gold
struck upon his vision from just with.
in the door. He paused, as If In re-
Spouse to a military command, while a
pair of gray eyes met his with flash.
The cabin room was Ill lighted, but the
crepuscular dimness did not seem to
hinder his sight. Beyond the girls
figure a pair Of slender swords hung
crossed aslant on the wall opposite the
low door.
The rough frame Of the doorway
gave just the rustic setting suited to
Alices costume, the most striking part
of which was a grayish short gown
ending just above her fringed buck
skin moccasins. Around her head she
had bound Il blue kerchief, wide cor
ner of which lay over her crown like
loose cap. Her bright hair hung free
upon her shoulders in tumbled half
curls.
Beverley could not stare at the girl,
and no sooner had he turned his back
upon her thar the picture in his mind
changed like q scene in kaleidoscope.
He now saw tall, finely developed
figure and face delicately oval, with
a low, wide forehead, arched brows. a
straight, slightly tip tilted nose, a
mouth sweet and full, dimpled cheeks
and a strong chin set above a faultless
throat. His imagination in casting on
its first impression was inclined to ex.
aggerate Alices beauty and to dwell
upon it's picturesqueness. He smiled
as he walked back to the fort and
even found himself whistling gayly q
snatch from a rollicking fiddle tune
that he had heard when a boy.