The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-21

her nghtly along with him.
II was like an eagle dancing with a
linnet. or a giant with a fairy, when
the big lieutenant led out Ia petite
Adrienne, as everybody called her. The
honor Of Beverley's attention sat un
appreciated on Adrienne's mind, for all
her thoughts went with her eyes to-
ward Rene and Alice. Nor was Bever.
ley so absorbed in his partners behalf
that he ever for a moment willingly
lost sight Of the floating bun gown, the
shining brown hair and the beautiful
face, which formed indeed, the center
Of attraction for all eyes.
II was some time before Beverley
could again secure Alice for a dance,
and he found 1t annoying him afro
ciously TO see her smile sweetly on
some buckskin clad lout who looked
like an Indian and danced like a PART
sian. He did not greatly enjoy most
Of his partners; they could not appeal
to any side Of his nature just then.
Not that he at oil times stood too much
on his arlstocrRtc traditions, or lacked
the virile traits common TO vigorous
aud worldly minded men, but the con-
trast between Alice and the other girls
present was somehow an absolute bar
70 a democratic freedom OF the sort de-
manded by the occasion. He met
Father Beret and passed few pleas
ant words with him.
"They have honored your flag, my
son, am glad to see" the priest said,
pointing with a smile to whore, In one
corner, the banner that bore Alice's
name was effectively draped.
Beverley had not noticed Il before,
and when he presently got possession
of Alice he asked her 20 tell him the
story OF how she planted It ON the fort,
although he had heard Il to the last
detail from Father Beret just a mo-
ment ago. They stood together under
its folds while she naivcly sketched the
scene for him, even down TO her pic.
turesquely disagreeable interview with
Long Hair, mention of whom led up TO
the story of the Indians race with the
stolen dame Jeanne OF brandy under his
arm on that memorable night and the
subsequent services performed for him
by Father Beret and her after she and
Jean had found him In the mud beyond
the river.
The dancing went ON at a furious pace
while they stood there Now and again
a youth came to claim her, but she
said she was tired and begged TO rest
awhile, smiling so graclously upon each
one that his rebuff thrilled him as II Il
had been the most fattering gift Of ten
der partiality, while at the same time
he suspected that II was all for Bever-
ley.
Helm In his most jovial mood was
circulating freely.
II was late when fathers and mothers
In the company began to suggest ad-
journment. In the open lamps sus-
pended here and there the oil was rum
ming low, and the rag wicks sputtered
and winked with their yellow flames.
"Well," said NJ. Rousslllon. coming
to where Alice and Beverley stood In
sulated and isolated by their great de-
light In each others company, 'tits
time to go home"
Beverley looked at his watch. II was
a quarter to threel
Alice also looked at the watch, and
saw engraved and enameled on its mas
sive case the Beverley crest, but she
did not know what Il meant. There
was something of the sort In the back
Of her locket, she remembered with sat
isfaction.
Tuek fbav tkoro mae n r,a.uIlop affr Ia
the tagging crowd. Some one had ar
rived, a coureur de bois from the north. |
Where was the commandant7 The
coureur had something important for
him.
Beverley heard a remark in a startled
voice about the English getting ready |
for a descent upon the Wabash valley. |
This broke the charm which thralled |
him and sent through his nerves the |
braclng shock that only soldier can |
feel when hint OF coming battle |
reaches him.
Alice saw the fash In his face.
"Where Is Captain Helm? / must |
see him Immediately. Excuse me" he
said, abruptly turning away and look
ing over the heads OF the people. "Yon'
der he Is; must go 90 him."
The coureur de bOls, Adolphe Dutrem-
BILE by name, was just from the head
waters OF the Wabash He was speak
ing TO Helm when Beverley came up i
NJ. RoussillOn followed close upon the
neutenants heels, as eager as he 10
know what the message amounted to-
but Helm took the coureur aside, mo
tioning Beverley TO join them. n
Rousslllon included himself In the con
ference.
After all Il was but the gossip OF
savages that Dutrembie oommunlcat-
ed, stil the purport was startling In
the extreme. Governor Hamilton, 30
the story ran. had been organizing d
large force. lie was probably now on
his way 10 the portage or the Wabash
with a iOtilla Of batteaux, some com
panies OF disciplined soldiers. artillery
and strong body OF Indians.
Helm listened attenuvely 20 Dutrem'
ble's lively sketch. then cross ques
toned him with laconic directnesa.