Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-02-18
CONTINUED.

Wllle speaking tarnSWOrln leaneu
near Father Beret and graspcd his
arm. The young man started. for his
fingers, instead of closing around II
nabby, shrunken old mans limb.
spread themselves upon huge. knot
ted mass of iron muscles. With Il
quick movement Father Beret shook
of Farnsworth's hand and said:
II am no Samson, my son. Non sum
Qualis cram" Then, as if dismissing
a light subject for a gravcr one, he
sighed and added. Il suppose there is
nothing that can be done for little
Alice.'
he called the tall, strong CIR! little
Alice" and so she seemed to him. He
could not, without direct effort, think
Of her as a magnificently maturing
woman. She had always been his
spoiled pet child, perversely set against
the holy church, but dear to him never
theless.
Il came to ask that very question.
father" said Farnsworth.
"And what do I know? Surely, my
son, you see how utterly hopeless an
old priest is against all you British.
And besides'-
Father Beret," Farnswortl huskily
interrupted. ''is there a place that you
know of anywhere in which Miss
Roussillon could be hidden IT,
MY dear SOM"
"But, father, mean it,
"Mean what? Pardon an old mans
slow understanding. What are you
talking about, my son?'
Father Beret glanced furtively about
then quickly stepped through the door.
way, walked entirely around the house
and came in again before Farnswortll
could respond. Once more seated on
his stool he added interrogatively:
Ibid you think you heard something
moving outside:"
"No."
went out. Pardon my interruption"
Farnsworth gave the priest search
ing and not wholly confding look.
you did not interrupt me, Father
Beret. l was not speaking. Why arc
you so watchful? Are you afraid OF
eavesdroppers?"
You We're speaking recklessly. YOU
words were incendiary; ardentia verba
Ny son, you were suggesting danger
Gus thing. Your life would scarcely
satisfy the law were you convicted OF
insinuating such treason. What if ono
Of your prowling guards had over
heard you? Your neck and mine might
feel the halter. Quod avertat domi
nus" He crossed himself and in q
solemn voice added in English:
'.May the Lord forbid! All, my son
we priests protect those we love-
"And I. who am not fit to tie q
priests shoe. do likewise. Father,
love Alice Roussillon."
Love is a holy thing my son. Amaze
divinum est ct humanum.''
Father Beret, can you help me?'
"Spiritually speaking. my son?'
II mean can you hide Mile. Roussil-
Ion in some safe place if take her out
Of the prison yonder? That's just what
l mean. Can you do it,"
'Your question is remarkable one.
Have you thought upon it from all di-
rections, my son? Think of your po-
sition. your duty as an officer
A shrewd polemical expression beam
ed from Father Beret's eyes. and Il
very expert physiognomist might have
suspected duplicity from certain lines
about the cid mans mouth.
II simply know that / cannot stand
by and see Alice-Mlle. Roussillon-
forced to suffer treatment too beastly
for an Indian thief. That's the only
direction there is for me to look at it
from. and you can understand my
feelings if you will You know that
very we'll, Father Beret. When man
loves girl he loves her; that's the
whole thing"
The quiet inscrutable half smile
dickered once more on Father Beret's
face, but he sat silent some time with
a sinewy forefnger lying alongside his
nose. When at last lie spoke it was
in tone of voice indicative of small
interest in what he was saying. His
words rambled to their goal with the
effect of happy accident.
'There are places In this neighbor-
hood in which a human being would be
as hard to find as the flag that you
and Governor Hamilton have so dill
gently and unsuccessfully been in
quest of for the past month or two.
Really. my son, this is mysterious
little town.
Farnsworths eyes widened and
flush rose in his swarthy cheeks.
"Hang the fag!' he exclaimed. Let
It He hidden forever. What do 1 care?
I tell you, Father Beret, that Alice
Roussillon is in extreme danger. Gov
efnor Hamilton means to put some
terrible punishment on her. He has a
A6viYs vindicdveness. He showed it
10 me clearly awhile ago.
ssYou showed something Of the same
soet to me. once upon q tims, my son"
s'Yss. did, Father Beret and I got
. load Of slues IN my shoulder for it
nom that bsave sifi's pistol. She
saved your life. Now ask you to
holp me save hers, or IL not her life
what y tnnnitsly mere, her honor"