Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-10-30


lessness from the military point of
view. There was no garrison, the two
or three pieces of artillery, abandoned
and exposed. gathered rust and cob
webs while the pickets of the stockade,
decaying and loosened in the ground by
winter freezes and summer rains, lean
ed in all directions. a picture of decay
and inefliciency.
M. Gaspard Roussillon was looked
upon as the aristocrat par excellence of
Vincennes. Notwithstanding the fact
that his name bore no suggestion of no
bic and titled ancestry. He was rich
and in measure educated; moreover,
the successful mans patent of leader.
ship. commanding figure and suave
manner, came always to his assistance
when crisis presented itself. He trad
I'd shrewdly, much to his own profit,
but invariably with the excellent re-
suit that the man, white or Indian,
with whom he did business felt him
self especially favored in the transac-
ton. BY the exercise of firmness, pru-
dence, vast assumption, ford eloquence
and kindly liberality he had greatly
endeared himself to the people, so that
in the absence of military command
er he came naturally to be regarded as
the chief of the town, m sieu' lie marie.
He returned from his extended trad
Ing expedition about the middle of
July, bringing, as was his invariable
rule a gift for Alice. This time it was
small, thin disk of white flint, with
a hole in the center through which a
beaded cord of sinew was looped. The
edge of the disk was beautifully notch
ed and the whole surface polished so
that it shone like glass, while the
beads, made of very small segments Of
porcupine quilts, We're variousy dyed
making a curiously gaudy show Of
colors.
There now, ma cherie, Is something
worth fifty times it's weight in gold"
said NJ. Roussillon when he presented
the necklace to his foster daughter
with pardonable self satisfaction. ut
Is sacred charm string given me by
an old heather who would sell his soul
for a pint of cheap rum. He solemnly
Informed me that whoever wore it
touiu hOl ny any pOSSlDlilty We hllleu
by an enemy"
Alice kissed NJ. Roussillon.
Its so curious and beautiful" she
said holding it up and drawing the
variegated string through her fingers.
Then with her mischievous laugh she
added: And I'm glad it is so powerful
against ones enemy. I'll wear it when
| vel il.
See if | DON'T
as she your enemy? What's up be-
tween YOU and la petite Adrienne.
eh?' NJ. ROussilon lightly demanded.
"YOu were always the best of good
friends, thought. What's happened: =
"Oh. we are good friends" said
Alice quickly, very good friends, in
deed; was but chatting"
Good friends. but enemies; that's
how it is with women. Who's the
young man that's caused the coolness?
| could guess. maybe" He laughed
and winked knowingly. MAY | be so
bold as to name him ut venture:'
"Ycs. if you'll be sure to mention NJ.
Rene de Ronville." she gayly answered.
"Who but he could work Adrienne up
into Il perfect green mist of jealousy"
He would need an accomplice. |
should imagine; a young lady of some
beauty and Il good deal of heartless-
ness"
Like whom, for example," And she
tossed her bright head. Not me- l am
sure"
"Poh, Like every pretty maiden in
the whole world, ma petite coquette.
They're all alike as peas, cruel as blue
jays and as sweet as apple blossoms"
He stroked her hair clumsily with his
large hand, as heavy and roughly
fond man is apt to do, adding in an al
most serious tone:
But my little girl is better than most
of them-not foolish mischief maker,
l hope"
Alice was putting her head through
the string of beads and letting the
translucent white disk fall into her
bosom.
n, ha