Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-10-23

. character of Alice Tarleton tcallcd
Roussillom had been only such as
lonely frontier post could generate.
Her associations with men and women
had, with few exceptions. been unprof-
table in an educational way. while her
reading in NJ loussillon's little library
could not have given her any practical
knowledge of manners and life.
Her affection for Rene was interfered
with by her large admiration for the
heroic, masterful and magnetic knights
who charged through the romdncrs of
the Roussillon collection. For although
Rene was unquestionably brave and
/ more than passably handsome. he had
no armor. no war horse. no shining
lance and embossed sheld-the differ
ence, indeed, was great.
Perhaps it was the light and heat of
imagination shining out through Alces
face which gave her beauty such fas-
cinating power Rene saw it and felt
its electrical stroke send Il sweet shiver
through his heart while he stood before
her.
You are very beautiful tonight
Alice" he presently said. with sud-
denness which took even her alertncss
by surprise. A flush rose to his dark
face and Immediately gave way to
grayish pallor. His heart came near
stopping on the instant, he was so
shocked by his own daring, but he laid
a hand on her hair stroking it softly.
Just a moment she was at loss.
looking a trifle embarrassed; then,
with merry laugh she stepped aside
and said:
THAT sounds better, NJ. Rene de
Ronville; much better. You will be as
polite as Father Beret after little
more training
She slipped past him while speak
ing and made her way back again to
the main room, whence she called to
him:
Come here. I've something to show
you"
He obeyed, a sheepish trace on his
countenance betraying his self con
seriousness.
When he came near Alice, she was
taking from its buckhorn hook on tie
wall rapier, one of beautiful pair
hanging side by side.
Papa Roussilon gave me thear." she
/ said. with great animation. He bought
them of an Indian who had kept them
a long time. Where he came across
them he would not tell But look. how
beautiful. Did you ever see anything
so fine:"
Guard and hilt We're of silver: the
( blade, although somewhat corrodeI
still showed the fine, wavy lines of
/ Damascus steel and traces of delicate
engraving, while in the end of the
hilt was set large oval turquoise
a very queer present to give a
girl" said Rene. What can you do
with them
a captivating flash of playfulness
came into her face and she sprang
backward, giving the sword d semi
circular turn with her wrist. The
blade sent forth keen hiss as it cut
the air close, very close to Rene's nose
He ierked his head and flung up his
hand
She laughed merrily, standing beauti
fully poised before him. the rapier's
point slightly elevated. Her short skirt
4 ltll lltI lttl anu uuhltS lltf " SllOM
: their graceful proportions and the per
feet pose in which they held her supple
( body.
You see what | can do with the
colechemarde. ell. NJ. Rene de Ron
vile" she exclaimed giving him a
Alilc which fairly blinded him. NO
tice how very near to your neck | can
! thrust and yet not touch it. Now"
She darted the keen point under his
chin and drew it away so quickly that
/ the stroke was like CLINT of sun
light.
What do you think of that as a nice
and accurate piece of skillT
She again resumed her pose, the
right foot advanced, the left arm well
back. her lissome. finely developed
body leaning slightly forward.
/ Rene's hands We're up before his face
in defensive position. palms outward.
Just then chorus of mems voices