Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-11-20

triotism was of the best; but
he liked jolly company,
glass of something strong and large
share of ease. Detroit lay many miles
northeastward across the wilderness,
and the English, he thought, would
scarcely come so far to attack his little
post, especially now that most of the
Indians in the intervening country had
.ciared in favor of the Americans.
l,ccontly, too, the weather had been
lavoring him by changing from wet to
dry, SO that the upper Wabash and it's
tributaries were falling low and would
soon be very difficult to navigate with
large batteauX.
Very little was done to repair the
stockade and dilapidated remnant of a
blockhouse. There were no sufficient
barracks, a mere shed in one angle
serving for quarters, and the old can
non could not have been used to any
effect in case of attack. AS for the
garrison, it was a nominal quantity,
made up mostly Of men who preferred
hunting and fishing to the merest pre-
tense of military duty.
Gaspard Roussillon assumed to know
everything about Indian affairs and
the condition of the English at Detroit.
His optimistic eloquence lulled Helm
to very pleasant sense of security.
Beverley was not SO easy to satisfy,
but his suggestions regarding military
discipline and vigorous prosecution
of repairs to the blockhouse and stock
ade were treated with dilatory geniali-
ty by his superior officer. The soft
wonder of a perfect Indian summer
glorified land, river and sky. Why not
dream and bask? Why not drink ex-
hilarating toddies?
Meantime the entertainment to be
given by Gaspard Roussillon occupied
everybody's Imagination to an unusual
extent. Rene de Ronville, remember
ing but not needing the doubtful Sue
cess of his former attempt, went long
beforehand to claim Alice as his
partenaire, but she fatty refused him,
once more reminding him of his obliga-
tons to little Adrienne Bourcier. He
would not be convinced.
You are bound to me-" he said. you
promised before, you know, and the
party was but put off. l hold you to it..
You are my partenaire and l am yours;
you can't deny that"
NO, you are not my partenaire," she
firmly said then added lightly. Ecu
mon partenaire, you are dead and
buried as my partner at that dance"
He glowered in silence for Il few mo-
ments, then said:
1T is Lieutenant Beverley, l sup
pose:'
She gave him a quick, contemptuous
look, but turned it instantly into one
of her tantalizing smiles.
do you imagine that?" she demand
ed.
Imagine 1t! l know it," he said
with Il hot flush. Have no sense?"
Precious little" she replied with a
merry laugh.
You think So"
Go to Father Beret, tell him every
thing, and then ask him what he
thinks" she said in a calm, even tone,
her face growing serious.
There was an awkward silence.
She had touched Rene's vulnerable
spot. He was nothing if not devout
Catholic, and his conscience rooted it.
self in what good Father Beret had
taught him.
Father Beret was the humble, self
effacing. never firing agent of good in
his community. He preached in ten
der singsong voice the sweet mOnot-
onies of his creed and the sublime
truths of Christ's code. He was in
deed the spiritual father of his people
No wonder Rene's scowling expression
changed to one of abject self concern
when the priests name was suddenly
connected with his mood. The confess
sional doomed up before the eyes of his
conscience and his knees smote togeth-
er, spiritually if not physically.
"Now," said Alice brusquely, but with
sweet and gentle firmness, "go to your
fiancee, go to pretty and good Adrienne,
and ask her to be your partenaire
Refresh your conscience with a noble
draft of duty and make that dear
little girl overflow with Joy. Go, Rene
de Ronville."
Sinking, but he fairly maintained a
good face, and went away without say
ing another word.
"Ciel, ciel, how beautiful she isv he
thought, as he walked along the mar
row street in the dreamy sunshine.
"But she is not for me, not for me-"
He shook himself and tried to be
cheerful. In fact he hummed a creole
ditty. something about La belle Jean
cite. gu brise mon c9ur."