Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-11-13


Roussillon.
Father Gibault returned to Fort Kas.
kaskia and Il little later Captain Leon
ard Helm, = jovial man. but past the
prime of life, arrived at Nincennes with
commission from Colonel Clark au-
thorizing him TO supersede NJ. Roussil
lon as commander and 10 act as Indian
agent for the American government in
the department of the Wabash. He
was welcomed by the villagers and at
once made himself very pleasing to
them by adapting himself to their ways
and entering heartily into their social
activities.
NJ. Roussillon was absent when Cap
tain Helm and his party came. Rene
de Ronville. nominally in command of
the fort, but actually enjoying some ex-
cellent grouse shooting with bell
mouthed old fowling piece on a distant
Prairie, could not be present to deliver
up the post, and as there was no garri-
son just then visible Helm took pos
session without any formalities.
Il think, lieutenant, that you'd better
look around through the village and see
If you can scare up this Captain What's
his-name," said the new commander to
stalwart young officer who had come
with him. Il can't think of these
French names without getting my brain
in twist DO you happen to recollect
the captains name, lieutenantY
Eyes, sir-Gaspard Roussillon it reads
in Colonel Clark,s order, but am told
that he's away on a trading tour" said
the young man.
you may be told anything by these
hair tongued parlyvoos," Helm remark
ed TT won't hurt, anyway, to find out
where he lives and make formal call,
just for appearance sake, and to in
quire about his health. l wish you
would try it, sir, and let me know the
result"
The lieutenant felt that this was a
peremptory order and turned about to
obey promptly.
"And I say, Beverley, come back So
Der If you possibly can," Helm added
in his most genial tone, thinking it
great piece of humor to suggest sobri-
ETY. to a man whose marked difference
from the men of that time was his to-
tai abstinence from intoxicating drinks.
Lieutenant Fitzhugh Beverley was q
Virginian of Virginians His family
had long been prominent in colonial
affairs and boosted a record of great
achievements both inf peace and in war.
He was the only son of his parents
and heir to a fine estate consisting of
lands and slaves; but, like many an
other Of the restless young cavaliers
of the Old Dominion. he had come in
search of adventure over into Ken
lucky, along the path blazed by Dan
iel Boone, and when Clark organized
his little army the young mans
patriotic and chivalric nature leaped
at the opportunity to serve his country
under SO gallant a commander.
Intent upon his formal mission, Lieu
tenant Beverley stalked boldly into the
Enclosure at Roussillon place and was
met on the gallery by Nine. Roussillon
in one of her worst moods. She glared
at him with her hands on her hips, her
mouth set irritably aslant upward, her
eyebrows gathered into q dark knot
over her nose. 1t would be hard to
imagine a 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, madape," said the lieu
| hot -
with a pleasant accent. Would it be
agreeable 70 Captain Roussillon for
me to see him a momentT
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 information
marked every word. and his obeisance
was as low as If Nine. Roussillon had
been a queen, but the light French
grace was wholly lacking.
What do yoa want Of my husbandT'
Nine. Roussillon demanded.
Nothing unpleasant, l 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, bowling again. II am sorry not to
have seen him."
AS he was turning to 60 a simmer
Of brown hair streaked with gold
struck upon his vision from just with
in the door. He paused, as IL in re-
Spouse to a military command, while a
pair of gray eyes met his with fash.
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
Alice's costume the most striking part