The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-10-17
CHAPTER VII.


he liked jolly company, a
glass OF something strong and a large
share OF ease. Detroit lay many miles
northeastward across the wilderness,
and the English, he thought, would
scarcely come SO far 70 attack his little
post. especially now that most OF the
Indians In the intervening country had
Recently, too, the weather had been
favor1ng him by changing from wet to
dry. 30 that the upper Wabash and It's
tributaries were falling low and would
soon be very difficult to navigate with
large batteaux.
Very little was done to repair the
stockade and dilapidated remnant OF n
blockhouse. There were no sufficient
barracks, a mere shed In one angle
serving for quarters, and the old can
non could not have been used TO any
effect In case of attack. AS for the
garrison. II was a nominal quantity,
made up mostly OF men who preferred
hunting and fishing TO the merest pre-
tense of military duty.
Gaspard Roussillon assumed to know
everything about Indian affairs and
the condition OF the English at Detroit
His optimistic eloquence lulled Helm
10 very pleasant sense OF security.
Beverley was not 30 easy TO satisfy,
but his suggestions regarding military
discipline and a vigorous prosecution
OF repairs TO the blockhouse and stock
ade were treated with dilatory geniali
~ by his superior officer The soft
wonder OF a perfect Indian summer
glorified land, river and sky. Why not
dream and bask? Why not drink ex-
hilarating toddies?
Meantime the entertainment TO be
given by Gaspard Roussillon occupied
everybody's imagination 10 an unusual
extent. Rene de Ronville, remember
ing but not needing the doubtful sue
cess of his former attempt, went long
beforehand TO claim Alice as his
partenaire, but she fatty refused him.
once more reminding him of his obliga-
tons TO little Adrienne Bourcier. He
would not be convinced.
You are bound 10 me-" he said. You
promised before, you know. and the
party was but put off. | hold you to it.
You are my partenaire and am yours;
you can't deny that"
mo. you are not my partenaire" she
firmly said, then added lightly, Ecu
mon partenaire. you are dead and
buried as my partner at that dance
He glowered in silence for a few mo-
ments, then said:
1T is Lieutenant Beverley, sup
poser"
She gave him a quick. contemptuous
look but turned 1t instantly into one
OF her tantalizing smiles
do you imagine thatT she demand
ed.
Imagine IL. / know IT," be said
with hot flush. "IIave l no senseY
Precious little,' she replied with a
merry laugh
you think so.
60 TO Father Beret. tell him every
thing. and then ask him what he
thinks" she said in calm, even tone,
her face growing serious.
There was an awkward silence.
She had touched Rene's vulnerable
spot He was nothing If not deyout
Catholic, and his conscience rooted IT.
self in what good Father Beret had
taught him
Father Beret was the humble, self
eIaclng. never firing agent of good Ia
his community lie preached in ten
der singsong voice the sweet monot-
onles Of his creed and the sublime
truths OF Chrlst's code He was in
deed the spiritual father of his people.
No wonder Rene's scowling expression
changed 20 one OF abject self concern
when the priests name was suddenly
connected with his mood The confess
slonal doomed up before the eyes OF his
conscience and his knees smote togeth-
er. spiritually II not physically.
Now said Alice brusquely, but with
sweet and gentle frmness, "go TO your
fiancec. go TO pretty and good Adrienne.
and ask her to be your partenalre.
Refresh your conscience with noble
draft of duty and make that dear
little girl overflow with JOY. Go. Rene
de Ronville."
Rene felt his soul covering. even
Sinking. but he fairly maintained a
good face. and went away without say
ing another word
'f'lel ciel. how beautiful she is"' he
thought as he walked along the mar
row street IN the dreamy sunshine
"But she IS not for me. not for me-"
He shook himself and tried 20 be
cheerful In fact he hummed n creole
ditty. something about Ia belle Jean.
cite. qu' brisc mon coeur."
DAYS passed. and at last the time OF
he great event arrived It was a
frosty night clear, sparkling with
stars. a keen breath cutting downfrom
the northwest. NJ Roussilion. Mme.
Roussilon. Alice and Lieutenant Bower.
ley went together 60 the river house.
whittier they had been preceded by al.
.t4c tle t'stsrf ,tt.as az Vim