Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-20

blockhouse at the farther angle of the stockade. In fact, Alice was reading by a sputtering lamp a book Earns worth had sent her, volume of Ron sard that he had picked up in Canada. Hamilton made his way in that direc- ton, at first merely curious to know who was burning oil so late, but after few paces he recognized where the light came from and instantly suspect ed that Captain Farnsworth was there. Indeed, he felt sure of it. Somehow he could not regard Alice as other than q saucy hoiden, incapable of womanly virtue. His experience with the worst element of Canadian French life and his peculiar cast of mind and character colored his impression of her. He measured her by the women with whom the coureurs de bois and half breed trappers consorted in Detroit and at the posts eastward to Quebec.
 Alice, unable to sleep, had sought for getfulness of her bitter captivity in the old poets charming lyrics. She sat on the floor, some blankets and furs drawn, around her, the book on her lap the stupidly dull lamp hanging be- side her on part of the swivel. Her | hair lay loose over her neck and shoul- ders and shimmered around her face with a cloudlike effect, giving to the features in their repose setting that intensified their sweetness and sadness. Tn a very low but distinct voice she was reading, with slightly quavering fntonation-
 | Mignonne. allons voir si Ia rose, | Que ce matin avoit desclose
 Sa robe de pourpe au soleil,
 when Hamilton, after stealthily mount ing the rough stairway which led to her door, peeped in through space between the slabs and felt stroke of disappointment, seeing at glance that l Farnsworth was not there. He gazed for some time, not without sense of vilIainy, while she continued her sweet Iy monotonous reading, If his heart had been as hard as the iron swivel balls that lay beside Alice he must still have felt thrill of something like ten der sympathy. She now showed no trace of the vivacious sauciness which had heretofore always marked her fea- lures when she was in his presence. | A dainty gentleness, touched with mel ancholy, gave to her face an appealing look all the more powerful on account of it's unconscious simplicity of expres- sion.
 The man felt an impulse pure and noble, which would have borne him back down the ladder and away from the building had not stronger one set boldly in the opposite direction. There was a short struggle with the scared remnant of his better nature, and then l he tried to open the door, but it was | locked.
 Alice heard the slight noise and breaking off her reading turned to look. Hamilton made another effort to enter before he recollected that the wooden key, or notched lever, that con- 1 trolled the cumbrous wooden lock hung on peg beside the door. He felt for it along the wall, and soon laid his hand on it. Then again he peeped l through to see Alice, who was now l standing upright, near the swivel She had thrown her hair back from her face and neck; the lamps fiickering light seemed suddenly to have magni- l fled her stature and enhanced her beauty. Her book lay on the tumbled wraps at her feet, and in either hand she grasped a swivel shot.
 | Hamilton's cumulative disposition came to the aid of his baser passion when he saw once more defiant flash from his prisoners face. It was easy for him to be fascinated by opposition. Helm had profted by this trait as much as others had suffered by 1t, but ] in the case of Alice, Hamilton's min gled resentment and admiration were but q powerful irritant to the coarsest and most dangerous side of his nature.
 After some fumbling and delay he | fitted the key with a steady hand and moved the wooden bolt, creaking and jolting, from its slot Then hinging the clumsy door wide open, he stepped in.
 Alice started when she recognized the midnight intruder, and second deep CT look into his countenance made her brave heart recoil, while with sink ing sensation her breath almost stop ped It was but momentary weak ness, however, followed by vigorous reaction.
 What are you here for, sir?' she demanded. ''What do you want?'
 "I am neither a burglar nor Q mur- derer, mademoiselle," be responded, lifting his hat and lowing, with a smile not in the least reassuring.
 "You look like both. Stop where you are?'
 Mot so loud, my dear Miss Roussil- lon. am not deaf, and, besides, the garrison needs to sleep"
 "Stop, sir; not another step"
 She poised herself, leaning slightly backward, and held the iron ball In her right hand ready to throw it at him!
 He halted, still smiling villainously.
 "Mademoiselle, assure you that your excitement is quite unnecessary. I am not here to harm you.'
 "You cannot harm me, you cowardly wretchw ....,. ......
 "Humph! Pride goes before a fall,