Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-21
CHAPTER Y-lcontinuedl

Alice walked quickly past him with
where some women were huddled aside
from the crowd. looking on. she had
seen little Adrienne Bourcier. She
made haste to descend. Now that her
impulsivey chosen enterprise was COM
pleted her holiness deserted her. and
she slipped out through dilapidated
postern opposite the crowd On her
right was the river. while southwark
before her lay great fiat plain. beyond
which rose some hillocks covered with
forest. The sun blazed between masses
of slowly drifting clouds that trailed
creeping fantastic shadows across the
marshy waste.
Alice walked along under cover Of the
slight land swell. which then, more
plainly marked than it is now, formed
the contour line of hummock upon
which the fort and village stood. A
watery swale grown full Of tall aquatic
weeds meandered parallel with the
bluff. so to call it. and there was soft,
melancholy whispering Of wind among
the long blades and stems. She passed
the church and Father Beret's hut and
continued for some distance iii the dl-
rectton of that pretty knoll upon which
the cemetery is at present so tastefuliy
kept. She felt shy now, as il to run
away and hide would be q great relief.
Indeed. so relaxed were her nerves that
-, ri, nd r
tail flags near by startled her painfully,
making her jump like fawn.
Little friend not be 'fraid." said a
cultural voice in broken French. Lit
tie friend not make noise.
At a glance she recognized Long
Hair, the Indian, rising out OF the mat
ted marsh growth. 1t was hideous
vision of embodied cunning, soulless-
ness and murderous cruelty.
..Not tell white man you see me?"
he grunted interrogatively, stepping
close to her He looked SO wicked
that she recoiled and lifted her hands
Extensively.
She treInbled from head to foot, and
her voice failed her. but she made
negative sign and smiled at him. turn
ing as white as her tanned face could
become.
In his left hand he held his bow.
while in his right he half lifted muir
derous looking tomahawk.
what new flag meanY" he demand
ed, waving the bows end toward the
fort and bending his head down close
to hers. WHO yonder?'
1.-THE great American father has TAX
en- us under his protection" she ex-
planned. I'VE are big knives now"
1t almost choked her to speak.
ugh, heap big fools!' he said with
dark scowl. Little friend much big
fool"
He Strengthened up his tall form
and stood leering at her for some Sec
onds, then added:
Little friend get killed, scalped,
maybe"
The indescribable nobility of animal
largeness, symmetry and strength
showed in his form and attitude, but
the expression Of his countenance was
absolutely repulsive-cold, hard, beast
ly.
He did not speak again, but turned
quickly and, STOPPING low. disappeared
like a great brownish red serpent In
the high grass. which scarcely stirred
as he moved through 1t.
Somehow that day made itself
strangely memorable to Alice. She had
been accustomed to stirring scenes ana
sudden changes of conditions, but this
was the first time that she had ever
Joined actively in public movement
of Importance. Then, too, Long Hairs
picturesque and rudely dramatic reap
pearance affected her imagination with
an indescriballe force. Moreover, the
pathetic situation in the love affair be-
tween Rene and Adrienne had taken
hold of her conscience with a disturbing
grip. But the shadowy sense OF i'm
pending events. of which she could
form no idea, was behind 1t all. She
had not heard of Brandy wine or Bun
kcr Hill or Lexington or Concord, but
something like a watt of their slgnln-
canoe had blown through ieF lHlhu. n
great change was coming into her idyl-
lie life. she was indistinctly aware OF
it. as we sometimes are of an approach
ing storm while yet the sky is sweetly
blue and serene. When she reached
home the house was full OF people TO
whom NJ. Roussilon. in the gayest OF
moods was dispensing wine and bran
dy.
give Zhorzh Vasinton.' shouted
Oncle Jazon as soon as he saw her.
And then they all talked at once, say
ing fiattering things about her. Nine.
Roussillon tried to scold as usual. but
the lively chattering Of the guests
drowned her voice.
i suppose the American commander