The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-21
(Contlnued.)
CHAPTER VII.
THE MAYORS PARTY.

aANNa july NOulnhnYs
glass OF something strong and large
share Of ease. Detroit lay many miles
northeastward across the wilderness.
ana the English, he thought, would
scarcely come so far to attack his little
post, especially now that most of the
Indians in the intervening country had
declared in favor of the Americans.
Recently, too, the weather had been
favoriag him by changing from wet to
dry, 80 that the upper Wabash and its
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 a
blockhouse. There were no sufficient
barracks, 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, 1t was a nominal quantity,
made up mostly of men who preferred
hunting and fishing to the merest pre-
tense of military duty.
Gaspard Rousslllon assumed to know
everything about Indian affairs and
the condition of the English at Detroit
His optimistic eloquence lulled Helm
to a very pleasant sense Of security
Beverley was not 80 easy to satisfy,
but his suggestions regarding military
discipline and a vigorous prosecution
OF repairs to the blockhouse and stock
ade were treated with dllatory genlali-
~ 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 toddies2
Meantime the entertainment to be
given by Gaspard Rousslllon occupied
everybody's Imagination TO an unusual
extent Rene de Ronville, remembers
ing but not needing the doubtful sue
cess Of bis former attempt, went long
beforehand 10 claim Alice as his
partenaire, but she fatty refused him,
once more reminding him Of his obliga-
tions TO little Adrienne Bourcier. He
would not be convinced.
"You are bound to me- he said. you
promised before, you know, and the
party was but put OFF. l hold you 20 II.
AOu hNt NY DhIltuulEN anu uhl gohIht
you can't deny that"
''No, 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
"It is Lieutenant Beverley. l sup
poser" on '.
She gave him a quick, contemptuous
look. but turned II instantly into one
OF her tantallzing smiles.
do you imagine thatr she demand
ed. ..t..
Imagine III / know IT, he said
with hot flush. "Have no senseT'
Precious little," she replied with a
merry laugh.
"You think so."
"0o 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 II not a devout
Catholic, and his conscience rooted IL
self in what good Father Beret had
taught him.
Father Beret was the humble, self
effacIng, never firing agent OF good in
his community. He preached In ten
der singsong voice the sweet monOt-
onies OF his creed and the sublime
truths OF Christs code. He was in
deed the spiritual father Of his people.
No wonder Rene's scowling expression
changed 70 one OF abiect self concern
when the priests name was suddenly
connected with his mood. The confes.
slonal doomed up before the eyes OF his
conscience and his knees smote togeth-
er, spiritually II not physically.
Now" said Alice brusqueiy, but with
sweet and gentle firmness, "go to your
naneee, go 10 pretty and good Adrienne'
and ask her 10 be your partenaire
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 ne fairly maintained q
GOOD face, and went away without say
Ing anOtuef NoFu-
"Ciel, ciel, how beautiful she isl 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 70 be
cheerful. In fact he hummed a creole
ditty, something about La belle Jean
ette, GU brise mon cpur."
Days passed, and at last the time OF
the great event arrived II was a
frosty night, clear. sparkling with
stars, a keen breath cutting down from
the northwest ~ ROussillon. Nine
Roussillon, Alice and Lieutenant Beyer-
Iey went together TO the river house
WHITTIER they had been preceded BY al
mOst the entire population Of Fin-
eennes. Some dres had been built out J
side. the crowd proving TOO sreat feF
the buildings caDaclty. ~ there bad -