Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-12-24

worth that wish to zee him ut once"
81 The interview thereupoh sclosed alb
ruptly. Hamilton's, emissaries had Civ.
on. him a detailed account Of NJ. Rous-
sillon's share in submitting Vincepnes
to rebel dominion. and lie was not In
the least inclined toward treating him
graciously. N f'A -. .f'2ae
II would suggest to you. NJ. lie Con.
vefneur, that my onlcial position de-
mands'- NJ. Roussillon began. But
be was fastened upon by two guards,
who roughly hustled him aft and
bound him so rigidly that he could
scarcely move finger or toe. s..,y
Hamilton smiled coldly and turned
to give some orders to a stalwart. rud-
dy young officer who in IL canoe had
just rowed alongside the batteau.
Captain Farnsworth, he said, &C.
knowledging the military. salute ''you
will take fifty men and make every
thing ready for a reconnaissance in the
direction of the fort We viii move
down the river Immediately and choose
place to land. Move lively! We have
no time to lose" 81.
In the meantime Beverley slipped
away from the fort and made Il hurried
call upon Alice at Roussillon place.
There was not much they could say to
each other during the few moments at
command. Alice showed very little
excitement. Her past experience had
fortified her against the alarms of
frontier life. But she understood and
perfectly appreciated the situation.
"What are you going to do?" Bever-
ley demanded in sheer despair. He was
not able to see any CLEAN of hope out
of the blackness which had fallen
around him and into his SOUL
"What shall YOU do?" he repeated.
"Take the chances of war;" she said,
smiling gravely. ut will all come out
we'll. no doubt" O..
II hope So but-but fear not"
His face was gray with trouble.
"Helm is determined to fight. and that
means
"Good.' she interrupted, with spirit.
II am so glad Of that. 1 wish could
60 to help him. If were man I'd
love to fight. think it's just delight
full" '1)''
"But it is reckless bravado. It is
worse than foolishness," said Beverley,
not feeling her mood. "What can two
or three men do against an army" ~.
eight and die like men," she replied,
her whole countenance lighting up.
''Be heroic!'
eve will do that, of course. VEL
do not fear death, but you-you''-
His voice choked him. ,i.s
A gunsfot rang out clear in the dis
lance, and he did not finish speaking.
"Thats probably the beginning" he
added in y moment. extending both
hands to her. "Goodby. l must hurry
to the fort. Goodby." ~
She drew Il quick breath, and turned
so white that her look struck him like
a sudden and hard blow. He stood for
second. his arms at full reach. then:
'AIy God. Alice, cannot. cannot
leave you!' he cried. his voice again
breaking huskily.
She made Il little movement as if to
take hold of his hands. but in an in.
slant she stepped back IL pace and said:
Don't fear about me. l can take
care of myself. I'm all right. You'd
better return to the fort as quickly as
you can. 1t is Your country, your flag
not me. that you must think of now
She folded her arms and stood boldly
erect.
Never before in all his life had he
felt such i: rebuke. Ile gave her a
straight. strong look in the eyes.
You are right. Alice. he cried. and
rushed from the house to the fort.
She held her rigid attitude for little
while after she heard him shut the
front gate of the yard so forcibly that
It broke in pieces, then she flung her
arms wide, as If to clasp something,
and ran to the door, but Beverley was
out Of sight. She turned and dropped
into chair. Jean came to her out Of
the next room. His queer little face
was pale and pinched, but his jaw was
set with the expression Of one who has
known danger and can meet it some
how.
"Are they going to scalp us!' he half
whispered presently, with shudder-
ing lift Of his distorted shoulders.
Her face was buried in her hands.
and she did not answer. Childlike he
turned from one question to another
inconsequently.
"Where did Papa Roussillon go to?"
he next inquired. els he going to
fght?''
She shook her head.
They'll tear down the fort. won't
they"
/ II she heard him she did not make
any sign. esm
They'll kill the captain and lieuten-
ant and get the fine flag that you set
SO high on the fort, won't they, AliceY
She lifted her head and gave the
covering hunchback such stare that
he shut his eyes and put up hand as
II afraid of her. Then she impulsively
took his little misshapen form in her
arms and Rugged it passionately. Her
bright hair foil all Ovnr him o1,,ooo<