Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-08-25

lily shambling over the inequalities till
he reached the postern. 1t was not fas-
tened. some one having passed through
Just before him
"Ziffr' he calculated, stepping Into
the area and shaking himself after the
manner of dusty mastiff. "Cest moi!
Gaspard Roussillonr' His massive I'M
der jaw was set like that of a wise, yet
1t quivered with rage. a rage which
was more fiery condensation of self
approval than anger.
Outside the shouting, singing and
huzzas gathered strength and vol
ume until the sound became hoarse
roar Clark was uneasy. He had over
heard much of threatening character
during the siege The creoles were, he
knew, justly exasperated, and even his
own men had been showing spirit
which might easily be famed into a
dangerous fame Of vengeance. He
was very anxious to have the formaii-
ties of taking possession Of the fort
over with, SO that he could the better
control his forces. Sending for Bever-
ley, he assigned him to the duty Of
hauling down the British flag and run
ming up that of Virginia. 1t was an
honor of no doubtful sort, which under
different circumstances would have
made the lieutenant's heart glow. As
1t was he proceeded without any sense
Of pride or pleasure, moving as mere
machine In performing an act signifi-
cant beyond any other done west of
the mountains in the great struggle
Tor American independence and the
control Of American territory.
Hamilton stood little way from the
foot Of the tall fiagpole, his arms fold
ed on his breast, his chin slightly
drawn in, his brows contracted, gaz-
ing steadily at Beverley while he was
untying the halyard, which had been
wound around the poles base about
three feet above the ground. The
American troops in the fort were dis
posed so as to form three sides OF d
hollow square. facing inward. Oncle
Jazon, serving as the ornamental ex-
treme Of one line, was conspicuous for
! his outlandish garb and unmilitary
bearing. The silence inside the stock
ade offered a strong contrast to the
tremendous roar Of voices outside.
Clark made signal, and at the tap Of
n drum Beverley shook the ropes loose
and began to lower the British colors.
Slowly the bright emblem of earth's
mightiest nation crept down in token
Of the fact that a handful of back
woodsmen had won an empire by q
splendid stroke of pure heroism. Bev-
erIey detached the flag and, saluting.
handed it to Colonel Clark. Hamil-
| tons breast heaved and his iron jaws
frightened their pressure until the lines
| Of his cheeks were deep burrows OF
| pam.
| Just then there was birdlike move
| ment, wingltke rustic, and light fig
ure fitted swiftly across the area. All
| eyes were turned upon It, Hamilton
recoiled, an pale as death, half lifting
| his hands MS IL to ward or deadly
blow, and then a gay flag was flung
| out over his head. He saw before
him the girl he had shot, but her beau
| tifui face was not waxen now, nor was
| 1t cold or lifeless. The rich red blood
was strong under the Drowned yet del
icate skin,- the eyes were bright and
brave, the cherry lips, slightly apart,
gave a glimpse of pearl white teeth.
and the dimples-those roguish dimplea
-twinkled sweetly.
| Colonel Clark looked on I'm amaze
ment and In spite of himself I'm ad-
mfration. HE did mot understand. The
sudden incident had bewildered him,
but his virile nature was instantly and
wholly charmed. Something like a
| breath Of violets shook the tenderest
chords Of his heart.
Alice stood firmly, a statue of tri-
umph, her right arm outstretched,
holding the flag high above Hamilton's
head, and close by her side the little
hunchbaok Jean was posed In his most
characteristic attitude, gazing at the
banner which he himself had stolen
and kept hidden for Alice's sake and
because he loved 1t.
There was a dead silence for some
moments, during which Hamilton's
face showed that he was ready to col
lapse. Then the keen voice Of Oncle
Jazon broke forth:
"vive Zhorzh Vasinton! Vive La ban
Mere d Alice Roussillon"
He sprang to the middle of the area
and flung his old cap high In air, with q
shrill war whoop.
"Hist ii, hist It'll Hissez In banniere
de Mile. Alice Roussillon! VOLTA, que
c'est glorieuse, cette banniere la! Hist
1t, hist itr'
He was dancing with rickety live
liness, his goatish legs and shriveled
body giving him the look Of an emaci-
ated satyr.
Clark had been told by some Of his
creole officers the story of how Alice
raised the flag when Helm took the
fort and how she snatched 1t from
Hamiltun's hand, as 1t were, and would
not give 1t up when he demanded it
The whole situation pretty soon began
to explain itself, rs he saw what Alice
was doing. Then he heard her say tc
Hamilton while she slowly swayed the
| rippling flag back and forth:
81 said, as you will remember, M. le
Gouverneur, that when you next should
see this flag should wave IL over your
head. Well, look. / am waving 1t
yive In republiquel Vive George
Washington! What do you think OF 1t
M. le GouverneurY
The poor little hunchback Jean took
Off his cap and tossed 1t In rhythmica.
emphasis, keeping time to her words.
And now from behind the hollow
square came mighty voice:
"C'est moi. Gaspard Roussillon; me
voici, messieurs!"
There was a spirit in the air which
caught from Alice thrill of romantic
energy. The men in the ranks and the
officers In front OF them felt wave oi
irresistible sympathy sweep through
their hearts. Her picturesque beauty
her fine temper, the fitness Of the incl
dent to the occasion, had an instanta
neous power which moved all mer
alike.
"Raise her flag! Run up the young
lady's 1ag.' some one shouted. Ant
| then every voice seemed to echo the
words. Clark was young man Of no
BILE type, In whose veins throbbed the
warm, chivalrous blood of the cava
liers. A watt of the suddenly prevail
ing influence bore him also quite off hii
! feet. He turned to Beverley and said:
''Do It! 1t will have a great effect
K Vf Ia u UnrJ fTaa Cot fha ynupU LADY,,