Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-02-17

son, you see how utterly hopeless an
old priest is against all you British.
And besides
"Father Beret," Farnsworth huskily
Interrupted, lis there place that you
know of anywhere in which Miss
Roussillon could be hidden IT.
MY dear son!''
"But, father, mean it,
'Mean what? Pardon an old mans
slow understanding. What are you
talking about, my son?"
Father Beret glanced furtiyely about,
then quickly stepped through the door
way, walked entirely around the house
and came in again before Farnsworth
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 I
went out Pardon my interruption"
Farnsworth gave the priest search
ing and not wholly confiding look.
Beret was not speaking Why are
you so watchful? Are you afraid Of
eavcsdrOppers:
you were speaking recklessly. Your
words were incendiary; ardentia verba.
Ny son. you were suggesting danger
Gus thing. Your life would scarcely
satisfy the law were you convicted of
Of your prowling guards had over
heard Won: Your neck and mine might
feel the halter. Quod avertat domi-
nus" He crossed himself and in
solemn voice added in English:
MAY the Lord forbid! All, my son,
we priests protect those we love-
"'And l. who am not TT to tie a
love Alice Roussillon.
Love is holy thing my son. Amare
Mvinum est ct humanum."
Father Beret. can you help me?'
"Spiritually speaking my son?'
II mean can you hide Mile. Roussil-
lon in some safe place If l take her out
Of the prison yonder? That's just what
I mean. Can you do it,"
'Your question is a remarkable one.
Have you thought upon it from all d.
rections, my son? Think Of your po-
sition. your duty as an officer
4 shrewd polemical expression beam
ed from Father Berets eyes, and
very expert physiognomist might have
suspected duplicity from certain lines
about the old 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 1t
from, and you can understand my
feelings if you will. You know that
very we'll, Father Beret When a man
loves girl he loves her; that's the
whole thing"
fickered once more on Father Beret's
face, but he sat silent some time With
sinewy forefinger lying alongside his
nose. When at last he 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 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 Il mysterious
little town.
Farnsworth's eyes widened and a
flush rose in his swarthy cheeks.
Hang the flag" he exclaimed. Let
it lie hidden forever What do l care?
tell YOU, Father Beret, that Alice
Roussilloh is in extreme danger Gov.
ernor Hamilton means to put some
terrible punishment on her. He has Il
devils vindictiveness. He showed it
to ME clearly awhile ago."
You showed something Of the same
sort to me, once upon a time my son. -
Yes, did, Father Beret, and got
load Of slugs in my shoulder for it
from that brave girls pistol. Size
saved your life. Now l ask you to
help me save hers. or if not her life
what is infinitely more. her honor"
Her honor cried Father Hcret,
leaping to his feet so suddenly and
with such energy that the cabin shook
| from base to roof. ''What do YOU say.
! Captain Farnsworth? What do yon
mean!
The old man was transformed. His
face was terrible to see, wiz, it's mar
row. burning eyes deep under the
shaggy brows, it's dark veins writing
| snakelike on the temples and forehead,
| the projected mouth and chin the hard
lines of the jaws, the iron gray CLEAN
| from all the features-he looked like an
aged tiger stiffened for spring.
Farnsworth was made of right SOL
| dierly stuff. but he felt distinct
shiver fit along his back. Ills past
life had not lacked thrilling adventures
and strangely varied experiences with
desperate men. Usually he met sudden
emergencies rather calmly. sometimes
with phlegmatic Indifference. This
| passionate outburst on the priests
part. however. surprised him and awed
him. while it stirred his heart with a
profound sympathy unlike anything he
had ever felt before.
Father Beret mastered himself in q
moment and. passing his hand over his
face, as if to brush away the excite
ment, sat down again on his stool. He
appeared to collapse inwardly.
You must excuse the weakness of
an old man. my son." he said. in u
voice hoarse and shaking. But tell
| me- what Is going to ha done with