The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-07

things In them. Wouldn't II be grand
y ] should turn out to be some great
pergonage In disguiseF'.
The mention Of novels reminded
Father Beret OF that terrible book
which he last saw in Alice's possession,
and he could not refrain from men
tioning It In a voice that shuddered
REST easy. Father Beret," said Alice
That II one novel have found whoi
b distastefui to me. tried to read II,
but could not do H. 1 flung It aside
in utter disgust. You and Mother
houssiilon are welcome to hide It deep
as wen for all care 1 don't enjoy
reading about low, vile people and
hopeless unfortunates. I Ike sweet
and lovely heroines and strong, hikh
souled, brave heroes"
"Rehd about the blessed saints, then,
my daughter. You will End In them
the true heroes and heroines OF this
world, said Father Beret
NJ. Roussillon changed the subject.
Tor he always somehow dreaded to
have the good priest fall into the strain
Uf argument he WINS about TO begin. A
stray sheep no matter how refractory.
feels touch OF longing when It hears
the shepherds voice M. Roussillon
was a Catholic, but straying one, and
he had promised the dying woman
who gave Alice TO him that the child
should be left as she was, Protestant,
without undue influence to change her
from the faith OF her parents. This
promise he had kept with stubborn per-
sistence. and he meant to keep Il as
long az he lived
, A few weeks had passed after NJ.
Roussillon's return when that big
hearted man took II into his head to.
celebrate his successful trading ven
lures with moonlight dance given
without reserve TO all the inhabitants
OF Yincennes. II was certainly a dem
ocratic function that he contemplated,
and motley to a most picturesque ex-
tent
Rene de Ronville called upon Alice a
day or two previous TO the occasion
and duly engaged her as his partenalre.
but she insisted upon having the en-
gnRoment guarded in her behalf by a
condition 10 obviously fanciful that he
accepted Il without argument.
''If my wandering knight should ar
rive during the dance. you promise to
stand aside and give place 10 him"
she stipulnted. "You promise that2 |
You see, I'm expecting him all the
time. dreamed last night that he
came on a great bay horse and, stoop-
ing, whirled me up behind the saddle
and away we wentv
There was a childish, half bantering
air In her look, but her voice sounded
earnest and serious, Notwithstanding
Its delicious timbrc OF suppressed play
fulhess
"You promise meY' she insisted.
"oh, promise 10 stink away into a
corner and chew my thumb the mo
mont he comesW Rene eagerly assent
cd. "of course I'm taking a great risk,
know, for lords and barons and
knights are very apt to appear sudden.
~ I'm a place like this"
''You may banter and make light n
you want TO-" she said, pouting ad-
II don't care. All the same,
the laugh viii jump to the other corner
of your mouth; see IL II doesn't. They
say that what person dreams about
and wishes for and waits for and be-
Iieves In will come true sooner or
ater."
"If that's So" said Rene, ''you and l
viii get married, for I've dreamed II
svery night OF the year. wished for II,
waited for Il and believed I'm Il, and"-
"A very pretty twist you give 10 my
words. must declare" she said, but
lot new by any means. Little Adrienne
could tell you that She says
hat you have vowed 10 her over and
,ver that you dream about her and
Wish for her and wait for her, precisely
n you have Just said 10 me-"
Rene's brown face flushed 10 the tenn.
,les. partly with anger. partly with the
Ihock OF mingled surprise and fear
ie was guilty. and the guilt showed
n his eyes and paraiyEed his tongue,
% that he sat there before Alice with
lis under Jaw sagging ludicrously.
"Don't you rather think, NJ. Rene
~ AoNNHitt uht pINnthNiy Auutu IN u II
aim. advisory tone, "that you had
'ettef quit trying 70 say such foolish
hings 10 me and Just be my very good
riend7 II you don't do. which comes
o the same thing What's more,
Fon't be your partenaire at the dance
Inleaa you promise me on your word
{ honor that you win dance two
ances with Adrienne 90 every one
hat you have with me. DO you prom.
,eY''
He dared not oppose her outwarily
Though IN his heart resistance
20 furious revolt and riot.
II promise anything you ash me TO-"
. said resignedly, almost sullenly
Anything for you"
'Well. I ask nothing whatever on '
" own account" Alice quickly replied,
but do tell you irmly that you shall {
% maltreat little Adrienne Bourcier [
nd reuialn friend OF mine. She loves
ou, Rene de Ronville and you have Z
I'D her that you love her. II you are {