Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29

and two IN II. Inc uOnOrdDle Hldycr
of this important city should not go
alone upon so important an errand. He
must have his attendants"
Permit me to go myself and get
It," said Alice. II can do 1t quickly.
May |, please. monsieur?
Hamilton looked sharply at her.
"Why. &c tainly, mademOiselle, GER
tainly. Cap.ain Farnsworth, you will
escort the young lady"
ut is not necessary, monsieur"
"Oh. yes, it is necessary. my dear
young lady, very necessary; so let's
not have further words. Ill try to
entertain his honor, the mayor, while
you go and get the flag. l feel sure.
mademoiselle, that you'll return with
It in few minutes. But you must
not go alone"
Farnsworth. try as hard as he would,
could never reach her side. SO swift
was her gait.
When the: arrived at Father Beret's
cabin. she turned and said with i'm
perious severity:
Don't you come In. You stay out
here. "I'll get II In minute"
Farnsworth obeyed her command.
The door was wide open. but Father
Beret was not inside; he had gone to
see a sick child in the outskirts Of the
village. Alice looked about and hesi-
tated. She knew the very puncheon
that covered the flag, but she shrank
from lifting 1t. There seemed nothing
else to do, however; SO, after some
trouble with herself, she knelt upon the
floor and turned the heavy slab over
with great thump. The flag did not
appear. She peeped under the other
puncheons. 1t was not there. The
only thing visible was little ball OF
paper fragments not larger than an
egg.
Farnsworth heard her utter low
cry Of surprise or dismay. and was on
the point Of going in when Father
Beret. coming around the corner Of the
cabin. confronted him. The meeting
was so sudden and unexpected that
both men recoiled slightly and then,
with mutual start, saluted.
81 came with young lady to get the
flag" said Farnsworth "She is in
side. l hope there is no serious in
trusion. She says the flag is hidden
under your floor"
Father Beret said nothing, but frown-
ing rs If much annoyed, stepped
through the doorway to Alice's sid
and STOPPING where she knelt, laid
hand on her shoulder as she glanced
up and recognized him.
What are you doing. my child?"
"Oh, father where is the tlag?" 1t
was all that she could say. "Where is
the fag?'
"Why, isn't 1t there!"
"No, you see it isn't there. Where
is it?'
The priest stood as if dumfounded,
gazing into the vacant space uncovered
| by tie puncheon.
as it gone? Has some one taken 1t
away?"
They turned up all the floor to no
avail. La banniere d. Alice Roussillon
had disappeared and Captain Farms.
worth went forthwith TO report the
| fact to his commander. When he
reached the shed at the angle of the
fort he found Governor Hamilton sit.
ting stupid and dazed OH the ground
One jaw was inflamcd and swollen
and an eye was half closed and blood
shot. He turned his head with pain
full. irregular motion and his chin
sagged.
Farnsworth sprang to him and lifted
him to his feet, bit he could scarcely
stand. He licked his lips clumsily.
What is the matter? What hurts
you:"
The governor rubbed his forehead
trying to recol.pct.
HE struck me-" he presently said
with difficulty. HE hit me with his
fist. Where-where is he?"
"Who?"
"That big French idiot-that Rous
sillon. Go after him, take him, shoot
him-quick. have been stunned.
don't know how long he's been gone
Give the aiarm-do something!'
Hamilton. as he gathered his wits
together. began to foam with rage. and
his passion gave his bruised and swOll
ell face Il terrible look.
The story was short and may be
quickly told. NJ. Roussillon had taker
advantage of the first moment whei
he and Hamilton were left alone. On,
herculean buffet. swinging smash Ol
his enormous fist OH the point Of the
governors jaw, and then lie walked ouI
of the fort unchallenged, doubtless OIL
account of his lordly and masterful air
"Ziffr he exclaimed. shaking himself
and lifting his shoulders when he had
passed beyond hearing Of the sentine
at the gate. "Ziff! l can punch O
good stiff stroke yet, NJ. le Gouverneur
All, ziff!" and he blew like porpoise.
Every effort was promptly made tt
recapture Nj. Roussillon. but his dis
appearance was absolute. Even the
reward offered for his scalp by Ham
ilton only gave the Indians great trou
BILE; they could not find the man.
Such beginning of his admnistra
ton of affairs at vincennes did not pu
Hamilton into a good humor. He VIII:
overbearing and irascible ut best, ant
under the Irritation of small but ex
ceedingly unpleasant experiences III
made life well nigh uncomfortable t
those upon whom his dislike CHANGED t
fall Beverley quickly felt that 1t wa'
going to be very difficult for him ant
Hamilton to get along agreeably. Witt
Helm it was quite different; smoking
drinking, playing cards. telling gOot
storles-in word, rude and not infre
quently boisterous conviviality drew
him and the commandant together.
Under Captain Farnsworths imme
date supervision the fort was soon II
excellent repair and a large blockhous
and comfortable quarters for the mel
were built Every day added TO th
strength of the works and to the i'm
| portance of the post as a strategic pc
sitiOn for the advance guard Of th
. British army.
Hamilton was ambitious to prov
himself conspicuously valuable to hi
country. He was dreaming vast dream
and laying large plans. The indian
were soon anxious to gain his favor
| a.a 10 hind thnn, ,annroI, to him n