Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-06-09

Z IA Alill iist- - not EAbhRAAtI- ibfNi iA'A
Hamilton has so ordered, and what he
orders is done"
you jest. monsieur"
81 assure you that I speak the plain
truth"
You will probably catch NJ. roussil
lon before you shoot him" She tossed
her head
HE is already a prisoner in the
fort"
/ Alice turned pale.
Monsieur, is this true?' Her voice
had lost its happy tone. Are you tell
ing me that to-
you can verify ii, mademoiselle, by
calling upon the commander at the
fort am sorry that You doubt my
veracity. If you viii 30 with me
will show you NJ. Roussillon tightly
bound prisoner"
Jean had crept out of the gate and
was standing just behind Alice, with
his feet wide apart, his long chin ele-
waited. his head resting far back be-
tween his upthrust shoulders, his
hands in his pockets. his uncanny eyes
gazing steadily at Farnsworth He
looked like deformed frog ready to
jump.
Alice unmistakably saw truth in the
captains countenance and felt ii in
his voice The reality came to her
with unhindered effect NJ. Roussil-
Ions life depended upon the return Of
the flag. She put her hands together
and for a moment covered her eyes
with them.
Il will go now, mademoiselle.' said
Farnsworth, ''but l hope you will be
in great haste about returning the
flag"
Jean took hold of Alice's dress as she
turned to go back into the house.
as he going to take the flag? Can
he find it? What does he want with
It? What did you do with the flag.
Alice?" he whincd in his peculiar,
quavering voice "Where is itf'
Her skirt dragged him along as she
walked
Where did you put it, Alice"
"Father Beret hid it under his floor"
she answered involuntarily and almost
unconsciously. Il shall have to take
it back and give it up"
'No-no-I wouldn't" he quavered,
dancing across the veranda as she
quickened her pace and fairly spun
him along. 81 wouldn't let 'em have
it at ALL"
Alice's mind was working with light
ming speed. Her imagination took
strong grip on the situation so briefly
and effectively sketched by Captain
self quickly.
Stay here, Jean. I am going to the
fort. Don't tell Mamma Roussillon a
thing. BE n good boy"
She was gone before Jean could say
q word. She meant to face Hamilton
at once and be sure what danger men
aced NJ. Roussillon. OF course, the
flag must be given up if that would
save her foster father any pain, and
If his life were in question there could
not be too great haste on her part.
She ran directly to the stockade gate
and breathlessly informed a sentinel
that she must see Governor Hamilton,
into whose presence she was soon led.
Captain Farnsworth had preceded her
but minute or two, and was present
when she entered the miserable shed
room where the commander was hav-
ing another talk with NJ. Rousslion.
The meeting was a tableau which
would have been comical but for the
pressure of its tragic possibilities.
Hamilton, stern and sententious, stood
frowning upon NJ. Roussillon, who sat
upon the ground, his feet and hands
4.
jured innocence.
Alice, as soon as she saw NJ. Roussil-
Ion, uttered a cry of sympathetic en-
dearment and flung herself toward him
with open arms She could not reach
around his great shoulders, but she
did her best to include the whole bulk.
"Papai Papa Roussillon"' she chif-
ruped between the kisses that sne
showered upon his weather beaten
face
Hamilton and Farrsworth regarded
the scene with curious and surprised
interest. NJ. Roussllon began speak
ing rapidly, but being a Frenchmah
he could not get Oh well with his |
tongue while his hands We're tied. He |
could shrug his shoulders; that helped |
him some.
Il am to be shot, ma pet te,'' he pa
thetically Growled in his deep bass |
voice; "shot like dog at sunrise to. |
morrow"
Alice kissed NJ. Roussllon's rough |
cheek once more and sprang to her |
feet facing Hamilton.
"You are not such a fiend and brute |
as TO kill Papa Roussllon," she cried. |
"Why do you want to injure my poor, |
good papaY
II believe you are the young lady |
that stole the 1agf" Hamilton remark |
ed smiling contemptuously.
She looked at him with n swift flash |
of Indignation as he uttered these |
words.
81 am not thief could not steal
what was my own | helped to make |
that flag. 1t was named after me. l
took it because it was mine. You |
understand me, monsieur"
Tell where Il Is and your fathers |
life will be spared"
She danced at NJ Roussillon.
"No, Alice" said lie with a pathetic
ally futile effort to make a fine ges- |
ture, don't do it. | am brave enough |
to die. You would not have me act |
the coward"
No onlooker would have even remote
ly suspected the fact that NJ. Roussil- |
lon had CHANGED TO oyerhear n conver-
sation between Hamilton and Farms.
worth, in which Hamilton stated that |
he really did not intend to hurt NJ.
Roussilion in any event; he merely pur-
posed TO humillate the 'big wind bagl"
"Ah, no; let me die bravely for hon
or's sake. / fear death far less than
dishonorl They can sheot me, my little
one but they cannot break my proud
spirit" He tried to strike his breast
over his heart.
Perhaps it would be just as well TO
let him be shot" said Hamilton grullly,
and with dry Indifference. 81 don't
fancy that he's OF much value to the
community at best. He'll make n good
target for a squad, and we need an ex-
ample"
"Do you mean IL? You ugly English
brute. Would you murder himf" She
stamped her foot.
"Not If | get that flag between now
and sundown. Otherwise | shall GER
tainly have him shot II IL all in your
hands, mademolselle. You can tell me
where the flag is" Hamilton smiled