Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-02-19
ALICE OF OLD
VlNCE:NNES
BY MAURICE THOMPSON
Z ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright, 1900, by the
BOWEN. MERRILL COMPANY


The command was not gentle voiced
A hoarse half whisper winged every
word with an imperious threat.
Hamilton obeyed. His hands were
not firm. His fingers fumbled nervous
". but he hurried, and Father Beret
soon had the rapier sheathed and Sc
cured at his belt beside its mate
A good and true priest is burden
bearer. His motto is. Alter alterius
onera portate Dear We one another's
burdens). His soul is enriched with
the castoff sorrows of those whom he
relieves. Father Beret scarcely felt
the weight of Alice's body when he
lifted it from the ground, so heavy was
the pressure of his grief. All that her
death meant, not only to him, but to
every person who knew her, came into
his heart as the place of refuge con-
secrated for the indwcling of pain. He
lifted her and bore her as far toward
Roussillon place as he could, but his
strength fell short just in front of the
little Bourcier cottage and, half dead,
he staggered across the veranda to the
door, where he sank exhausted.
After a breathing spell he knocked.
The household, fast asleep, did not
hear, but he persisted until the door
was opened to him and his burden.
Captain Farnsworth Enclosed his
bloodshot eyes at about s o'clock in
the morning, quite confused as to his
place and surroundings. He looked
! about drowsiy with Il shcepish half
| knowledge of having been very drunk.
A purring in his head and dull ache
reminded him of an abused stomach.
He yawned and stretched himself, then
! sat up, running Il hand through his
tousled hair Father Beret was on
his knees before the cross, still as a
statue his clasped hands extended up
ward.
Farnsworths face lighted with rec
ognition. and he smiled rather bitterly.
He recalled everything and felt asham-
/ ed, Inundated, self debased. He had
/ outraged even u priests hospitality
| with his british appetite, and he hated
| himself for it.
I'm shabby, worthless dog he
muttered with petulant accent. why
don't you kick me out, fatherT'
The priest turned a collapsed and
bloodless gray face upon him, smiled
in a tired, perfunctory way, crossed
himself absently and said
You have rested well, my son. Hard
as the bed is, you have done it COM
+ pliment in the way of sleeping. You
young soldiers understand how to get
the most out of things"
You are too itnerous, father, and I
can't appreciate it. | know what l de-
serve and you know it too. Tell me
what a brute and fool l am. 1t will
do me good. Punch me a solid jolt in
the ribs, like the one you gave me not
long ago"
"Qui sine peccato est, primus la
pidem mittat," said the priest. C'Lct
him who is without sin cast the first
stone.'D
Just then some one knocked on the
door, Father Beret opened it to one OF
Hamiltons aids.
Your pardon father, but, hearing
Captain Farnsworths voice, l made
bold to knock"
'What is it, Bobby" Farnswortl
called out.
Nothing, only the governor has beer
having you looked for in every nool
and corner of the fort and town. YOU'D
better report at once or he'll be having
US drag the river for your body"
"All right, lieutenant. Go back ant
keep mum; that's a dear boy, and II
shuttle into Colonel Hamilton's angus
presence before many minutes"
The aid laughed and went his wa.
whistling a merry tune.
"Now | am sure to get what l de
serve, with usury at 40 per cent in ad