Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-03-10

And what do 1 known Surely, tiny
son. you see how utterly hopeless an
old priest il against all you British.
And besides'-
Father Beret," Farnsworth husklly
know OF anywhere In which Miss
Roussillon could be hidden IT,
my dear sonv'
But, father, mean IT,"
"Mean whati Pardon an old mans
slow understanding. What are you
talking about. my SOM"
Father Beret glanced furtively about,
then quickly stepped through the door
way, walked entirely around the house
md came In again before Earnsworth
could respond @once more seated on
his stool he added interrogatively:
Did you think you heard something
moving outsider
"No"
you were saying something when
went out. Pardon my interruption"
Farnsworth gave the priest search
ing and not wholly conhding look.
"you did not interrupt me, Father
Beret was not speaking. Why are
you 10 watchfulf Are you afraid OF
eavesdroppersr
You were speaking recklessly. Your
words were incendiary; ardentia verba.
My son. you were suggesting a danger
Gus thing Your life would scarcely
satisfy the law were you convicted OF
inslnuating such treason. What II one
Of your prowling guards had over
heard your Your neck and mine might
feel the halter. Quod avertat domi-
nus" He crossed himself and in a
solemn voice added In English:
May the Lord Forbid All. my son,
we priests protect those we love"
"And I. who am not at 20 tie
priests shoe, do likewise. Father. I
love Alice Roussilion."
love Ia a holy thing. my son. Amare
divinum est q humanum."
Father Beret. can you help meT'
Spiritually speaking. my sonT
Il mean can you hide Mile. Roussil-
Ion In some safe place II take her out
OF the prison yonderf That's just what
I mean. Can you do ifT'
Your question Is a remarkable one.
Have you thought upon Il from all d.
rections. my soni Think OF your po-
sition. your duty as an officer"
A shrcwd polemical expression beam
ed from Father Berets eyes, and a
very expert physiognomist might have
suspected duplicity from certain lines
about the old mans mouth
II simply know TINT I cannot stand
by and see Alice-Mlle Roussillon-
forced 60 suffer treatment too beastly
for an Indian thief. That's the only
direction there Is for me 20 look al II
from. and you can understand my
feelings II you Will You know that
very well, Father Beret. When IMAM
roves q gIri no loves ner; that's the
whole thing"
The quiet, inscrutabie half smile
eickered once more on Father Beret's
face. but be sat silent some time with
a sinewy forennger lying alongside his
nose. When at last he spoke II was
In o tone OF voice Indicative OF small
interest In what he was saying. His
words raInbled 10 their goal with the
effect OF happy accident.
There are places In this neighbor-
hood in which human being would be
as hard TO 1nd as the Gag 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 IL a mysterious
little town"
Farnsworth's eyes widened and
flush rose In his swartby cheeks.
Hang tho flagr' he exclaimed. Let
II lie hidden forever. What do I carer
tell you. Father Beret. that Alice
Roussillon Is I'm extreme danger Gov
ernor Hamilton means 10 put some
terrible punishment on her. He has q
devils vindictiveness. lie showed II
TO me clearly awhile ago"
"You showed something OF the same
sort 20 me. once upon a time, my son."
yes. did, Father Beret and got
a load OF smgs I'm my shoulder for II
from that brave girls pistol. She
saved your life. Now I ask you 20
help me save hers, or II not her life |
what is infinitely more. her honor"
Her honor" cried Father Beret, |
leaping 20 his feet so suddenly and |
with such energy that the cabin shook |
from base TO roof. what do you say,
Captain Farnsworthi What do you
meanr'
The old man was transformed His
face was terrible TO see. with It's mar
row, burning eyes deep under the
shaggy brows. its dark veins wrtthing
on the temples and forehead,
The projected mouth and chin. the hard
ines OF the jaws the iron gray CLEAN
rom all the features-he looked like an
Iged tiger stiffened for a spring.
Farnsworth was made Of right sol
lierly stuff, but he felt q distinct
'hyer fit along his back. His past
lie had not lacked thrilling adventures
md strangely varied experiences with
iesperate men. Usually no met sudden
rather calmly. sometimes
With phlegmatic indifference. This
PASSIONATE outburst on the priests
art, however, surprised him and awed