Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-09-30

l barrassment and resume equal footing with the girl so suddenly become his commanding superior, but the effort disclosed to him as we'll as to her that he had fallen to rise no more. Tn his | abject defeat he accepted the terms dictated by Alice and was glad when she adroitly changed her manner and tone in going on to discuss the ap- preaching dance.
 1 Now, let me make one request of l you,'' he demanded after awhile. "Its small favor. May ask itg'
 ''Yes, but I don't grant 1t in advance"
 s'I want you to wear, for nay sake, the 1 buff gown which they say was your 1 grandmothers"
 "No, won't wear it."
 "But why, Alice?'
 "tNone of the other girls have anything like such a dress. It would not be right for me to put it on and make them all I feel that had taken the advantage of them, just because I could. That's whyr'
 "But, then, none of them is beautiful and educated like you,' he said. You'll Outshine them anyway"
 "Save your compliments for poor pretty little Adrienne," she firmly re- sponded. T positively do not wish to hear them. I have agreed to be your partenaire at this dance of Papa Rous- sillon's, but it is understood between us that Adrienne is your sweetheart. I am not, and I'm not going to be either. So for your sake ard Adrienne's, as well as out of considera ton for the rest of the girls who have no fine dresses, am not going to wear the buff brocada gown that belonged to Papa Roussil. Ions mother long ago. I shall dress just as the rest do.''
 It is safe to say that Rene de Ron- vile went home with troublesome bee in his bonnet. He was not bad heart ed fellow. Many a right good young man before him and since has loved an Adrienne and been dazzled by an Alice. A violet is sweet, but rose is the gar den's queen. The poor youthful from tiersman ought to have been stronger, but he was not, and what have we to say?
 The dance did not come off. 1t had to be postponed indefinitely on account of a grave change in the political rela- tions of the little post A day or two before the time set for that function rumor ran through the town that something of importance was about to happen Father Gibault, at the head of small party, had arrived from Kaskaskia, far away on the Mississippi, with the news that France and the American colonies had made common cause against the English in the great war of which the people of vincennes neither knew the cause nor cared straw about the outcome.
 It was Oncle Jazon who came to the Rotissillon place to tell M Roussillon that he was wanted at the river house. Alice met him al. the door
 Come in, Oncle Jazon,' she cheerily said. You are getting to be stranger at our house lately. Come in. What news do you bring? Take off your cap and rest your hair, Oncle Jazon.''
 The scalpless old fighter chuckled raucously and bowed to the best of his ability. He not only took off his queer cap, but looked into it with startled gaze, as if he expected something in finitely dangerous to jump out and seize his nose.
 "A thousand thanks, m'am'selle," he presently said. twill ye please tell M'sieu' Roussillon that I would wish to see 'imf'
 "Yes, Oncle Jazon; but first be seated and let me offer you just drop of eau de vie, some that Papa Roussillon brought back with him from Quebec. He says it's old and fine"
 She poured him full glass, then, setting the bottle on little stand, went to find M. Roussillon While she was absent Oncle Jazon improved his op- portunity to the fullest extent. At least three additional glasses of the brandy went the way of the first. He grinned atrociously and smacked his corrugat- ed lips, but when Gaspard Roussillon came in the old man was sitting at some distance from the bottle and glass, gazing indifferently out across the veranda- He told his story curtly. Father Gdbault he said, had sent him to ask M. Roussillon to come to the river house, as he had news of great importance to communicate.
 "Ah, well, Oncle Jazon, we'll have a nip of brandy together before we go,'' said the host.
 'Why, yes, jes' one ag'in' the broilin' weather,'' assented Oncle Jazon. '4I don't mind jes' one."
 "A very rich friend of mine in Que bee gave ne this brandy, Oncle Jazon," said M. Roussillon, pouring the liquor with a grand flourish, land thought of you as soon as got it. Now, says I to myself, if any man knows good brandy when he tastes it, it's Oncle Jazon, and I'll give him good chance at this bottle just the first of all my friends
 Tt surely is delicious" said Oncle Jazon, livery delicious" He spoke French with a curious accent, having spent long years with English speaking frontiersmen in the Carolinas and Ken lucky, so that their lingo had become his own.
 As they walked side by side down the