Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29

never fails. But he'll tell Clark 10 stay
where he is, and Vigo can do no more"
What effect Helms bold and appar.
emily artless talk had upon Hamilton's
mind is not recorded, but the meager
historical facts at command show that
~vigo was released and permitted TO re-
turn under promise that he would give
no information to the enemy Oh his
way to Kaskaskia.
Doubtless this bit Of careless dipiO-
macy OH the governors part did have a
somewhat soothing effect upon a large
class of Frenchmen at Vincennes. but
Farnsworth quickly neutralized it TO
serious extent by foolish act while
slightly under the influence of liquor.
He met Father Beret near Roussillon
place, and. feeling his ribs squirm at
sight of the priest, he accOsted him in.
s0lently. demanding information rs to
the whereabouts of the missing flag.
A priest may be good and true
Father Beret certainly was-and yet
have the strongest characteristics OF
worldly man. This thing of being
bullied day after day. as had recently
been the rule. generated nothing to aid
in removing a refractory desire from
the priests hcart-the worldly desire
to repeat with great increment of force
the punch against Farnsworth's lower
ribs.
81 order you. sir, to produce that
rebel flag" said Farnsworth. "You will
obey forthwith or take the conse
qucnces. am no longer in the humor
to he trihed with. Do you under
stand?'
81 might be forced to obey you If |
could" said the priest, drawing his
robe about him; "but, as | have often
told you, my son. do not know where
the flag is or who took It, do not
even suspect any person Of taking it..
All that know about it is the simple
fact that it is gone"
"You canting old fool" cried Farms
worth. Don't lie to Inc any longer. |
won't have it. Don't stand there grin
ming at me. Get that flag or I'll make
you"
What is impossible, my son, is pos
sible to God alone. Apud h0mines hoe
impossible est, apud Deum autem
omnia possibilia sunt."
"None of your Jesuit Latin or logic
to me- am not here to argue. but to
command. Get that flag. Ee in Il
hurry about it, sir
He whipped out his sword, and in his
half drunken eyes there gathered the
dull film of murderOus passion.
Put up your weapon, captain. You
will not attack an unarmed priest. You
are soldier and will not dare strike an
old. defenseless man."
But | will strike black ro6ed and
black hearted French rebel. Get that
flag. you grinning fool"'
"Strike if you must" lie said very
seen the man that could make ms
afraid" His speech was slightly sing
song in tone. as it would have been
during prayer or Il blessing.
sect the flag, them" ragged Farms
worth, in whose veins the heat OF liquor
was aided by an unrcasoning choler.
81 cannot" said Father Berct.
"Then take the consequencesw
sy,-np1 N
thrust but to strike with its fiat side,
and down it flashed with noisy
whack. Father Berct flung out an arm
and deftly turned the blow aside. II
was done so easily that Farnsworth
sprang back glaring and surprised.
"YOu old foolr' he cried, levelng his
weapon for a direct lunge. You dev-
ilish hypocrite!'
1t was then that Father Beret turne'l
deadly pale and swiftly crossed him
self. His face looked as If he saw
something just beyond his adversary
Possibly this sudden change of express
sion caused Farnsworth TO hesitate fo'
q mere point of time. Then there was
the swish of woman's skirts; light
step battered on the frozen ground, anl
Alice sprang between the men. facin,:
Farnsworth. AS she did this somat,.ins
small and yellow-the locket at beT
| throat-fell and rolled under her fce:.
Nobody saw il.
In her hand she held an immcns
horse pistol, which she lcveled III Ill"
captains face, its tiaring, buS!c shaped
muZzle gaping not yard from hi'
nose. The heavy tube was AS stead!
| as If in IL wise.
drop that sword!'
That was all she said, but her tnger
was pressing the trigger, and tie bin'
| in the backward slanting hammer was
ready to click against the steel. The
leaden slugs were Oh the point of leap
Ing forth.
Drop that sword
The rep ;ition seemed to close the op'
|