Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-22

Rene de RonviAe was among the mrs,
to take the oath, and 1t promptly fol-
lowed that Hamilton ordered him
pressed into service as woOdchopper
and log hauler during the erection Of a
new blockhouse, large barracks and
the making of some extensive repairs
of the stockade. Nothing could have
been more humiliating to the proud
young Frenchman. Every day he had
to report bright and early to burly
Irish corporal and be ordered about as
IL he had been a slave, cursed at,
threatened and forced to work until his
hands were blistered and his muscles
sore. The bitterest part Of 1t all was
that he had to trudge past both Rous,
sillon place and the Bourcier cabin,
with the eyes Of Alice and Adrienne
upon him.
Hamilton did not forget NJ. Roussil,
lon In this connection. The giant or
ator soon found himself face to face
with a greater trial even than Rene's.
He was calmly told by the English
commander that he could choose be-
tween death and telling who 1t was
that stole the flag.
"Ill have you shot, sir, tomorrow
morning II you prevaricate about this
thing any longer" said Hamilton, with
right deadly strain In his voice. "You
told me that you knew every man.
woman and child in Vincennes at sight.
know that you saw that girl take the
flag. Lying does not serve your turn.
give you until this evening to tell me
who she is. II you fail you die at sun
rise tomorrow"
In fact, it may be that Hamilton did
not really purpose to carry out this
bloodthirsty threst-most probably he
relied upon VI. Roussillon's imagination
to torture him successfully-but the ef-
feet, as time proved, could not be ac'
curately foreseen.
Captain Farnsworth had energy
enough for dozen ordinary men. Be
fore he had been In Vincennes twelve
hours he had seen every nook and cor
ner of its surface. Nor was his activity
due altogether to l.:!litary ardor, al
though he never let pass an opportuni-
ty to serve the best interests OF his
commander. All the while his mind
was on the strikingly beautiful girl
whose saucy cOuntenance had so daz-
zled him from the roof top of the fort
what time she wrenched away the reb-
el flag.
"I'll find her, high or low" he thought,
"for never could fail to recognize thai
face. She's 1 trump
1t was not in Alice's nature to hide
from the English. They had held the
town and fort before Helm came, and
she had not found them troublesome
under Abbott. She did not know that
NJ. Roussillon was prisoner, the fam
lily taking it for granted that he had
gone away to avoid the English. Nor
was she aware that Hamilton felt so
keenly the disappearance of the hag.
What she did knOw-and II gladdened
her greatly-was that Beverley had
been well treated by his captor With
this In her heart she went about Rous'
sillon place singing merry snatches o:
creole songs, and when at the gat :.
which still hung lOpsided Oh accoul ::
of BevcrIey's force in shutting it. she
came Unexpectedly Face to face with
Captain Farnsworth, there was no
great surpri4e Oh her part.
He lifted his hat and bowed very
politely, but bold smile broke Over
his somewhat ruddy face. He spoke
In French, but in drawing tone ana
with bad accent.
"How do you do, mademoIselle. |
am right gid to see you again
Alice drew back pace or two. She
was quick to understand his allusion.
and she shrank from him, fearing that
he was going to inquire about the fia,,.
Don't be afraid" he laughed. Il am
not so dangerous | never did hurt Il
girl in all M life. In fact, | am fond
Of them when they're nice
~ am not in the least afraid" she re-
piled, assuming an air of absolute dis
missal, land you don't look bit fero'
cious, monsieur. You may pass on ir
you please"
Suppose that don't pass ont" hc
presently vartured, with just suspi-
cion Of ms leSce in his attitude, but
laughing until he showed teeth of re-
markable beauty and whiteness. sup
pose that should wish to have little
chat with you, mademoiselle"
81 have been told that there are men
in the world who think themselves
handsome and clever and brilliant
when in fact they are but conceited
simpletons." she remarked rather in
differently, muffling herself In her fur
wrap. You certainly would be fair
good hitching post for our horses II
you never moved" Then she laughe |
out Of the depth Of her hood. perfect
ly merry laugh. but not In the least
fiattering to Captain Farnswortl's van.
ity. He felt the scorn that 1t conveyed.
She laid Il shapely hand Oh the bro
ken gate and pushed 1t open.
II beg your pardon, mademoiselle."
His manner sOftened as he spoke. 81
beg your pardon. but came to s.;cak to
you about the flag-the flag you took
away from the fort"
She had been half expecting this. but
she was quite unprepared. and la spi
of all she could do showed embarrass'
ment.
"I have come to get the flag. II you
win kindly bring II: to me or tell me
where it Is -
She quickly found words to interrupt
him with. and ut tie same time by
great effort pulled herself together
you have come to the wrong place.
she flung in. II assure Sou that I
haven't the flag"
You took it down, mademOlselle."
"Oh, did IT
with bewitching grace you did
| saw and admired.
Will you fetch it. pleaseT
Indeed l won't"
More depends upon returning that
flag than you are probably aware Of
he presently said In more serious
tone. In fact, the life Of one of your
townsmen and person Of some I'M
portance here, believe. will surely =
saved by 1t. You'd better consid;
mademoiselle. You wouldn't like to
cause the death of a man."
"Who ls itT' she frankly demanded.