Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-05
CHAPTER XII.

then he secuted Helms sug
gestion that the young man Was possi-
bly, carrying out his threat to disre
gard his parole.
"He would be quite justified in do
ing it. You know that very well,' said
Helm, with laugh "And he's just the
man to undertake what is impossible.
| OF course he'll get scalped for his
trouble, and that will cost you some
thing, I'm happy to say"
1T is a ratter of small Importance"
Hamilton replied. but III wager you
the next toddy that he's not at the
present moment half mile from this
spot. He may be a fool-I readily
grant that he is-but even fool is not
going to set out alone in this kind Of
weather to go to where your rebel
friends are probably toasting their
shins by the fire Of green logs and half
starving over yonder on the Missis-
sippi."
Joking aside, you are doubtless
right Beverley is hot headed, and il
he could he'd get even with you quick
enough, but he hasn't left Vincennes,
l think. Miss Roussillon would keep
him here if the place were on fire."
Hamilton laughed dryly. He had
thought just what Helm was saying.
| Beverley's attention to Alice had not
escaped his notice.
Speaking of that girl" he remarked
after q moments silence, what am
to do with her? There's no place to
keep her. and Farnsworth insists that
she wasn't TO blame" He chuckled
again and added:
ITS true as gospel. He's in love
with her too. Seems to be glad she
shot him. Says he's ashamed Of him
self for ever suspecting her of any
thing but being genuine angel. Why,
he's got as fabby as a rabbit and num-
bles like fool"
Same as You or at his age" said
Helm, taking a chew of tobacco. "She
is a pretty thing. Beverley doesn't
know his foot from his shoulder blade
when she's anywhere near him. Boys
are boys. I'm sort of boy myself
"If she'd give up that flag I'd let her
CO." said Hamilton. Il hate to confine
her. 1t looks brutal and makes me feel
like tyrant."
"Have you ever happened to notice
the obvious fact, Governor Hamilton,
that Alice Roussillon and Father Beret
are not all the French in Vincennes?
"What do you mean!"
81 mean that | don't for moment
believe that either the girl or the priest
| knows thing about where that flag Is.
They are both as truthful and honor
able as people ever get to be. l know
| them. Somebody else got that flag
from under the priests floor. You may
depend upon that. If Miss Roussillon
knew where 1t is she'd say so and then
dare you to make her tell where it's
| hidden"
"Oh. the whole town is rotten with
treasonl That's very clear. There's
not a loyal soul in it outside OF my
forces"
"Thank you for not including me
among the loyalists."
"Humph! l spoke of these French
people. They pretend to he true. but |
! believe they are all traitors"
"You can manage them If you try. A
little jolly kindness goes a long way
with 'em. had no trouble while |
held the town."
Hamilton bit his lip and was silent.
Helm was exasperatingly good tenn
pered, and his jOcularity was irresist-
ible. While he was yet speaking a
guard came up, followed by Jean, the
hunchback. and, saluting, said to Ham
ilton:
"The lad wants to see the young lady,
sir"
Hamilton gazed quizzically ut Jean,
who planted himself in his habitual
attitude before him and stared up into
his face with the grotesque expression
f, which seems to be characteristic OF
hunchbacks and unfledged birds-the
look of an embodied and hideous joke.
"Well. Sir, what will you have?" the
governor demanded.
81 want to see Alice, If you please.
"What fOr?"
81 want to give her book to read
"Ah, indeed. Where Is 1t? Let me
see It."
Jean took from the breast Of his loose
jerkin a small volume, dog cared and
mildewed. and handed it to Hamilton.
Meantime he stood first on one foot,
then on the other. gnawing his thumb
nail and blinking rapidly.
"Well, Helm. just look here"
"What?
Haven't you ever read itP
"Read what?"
''This novel;"
"Never read novel in my life; never
expect to-"
Hamilton laughed freely ut Helms
expense, then turned to Jean and gave
him back the book.
1t would have been quite military
had he taken the precaution to examine
between the pages for something hid
den there. but he did not.
"Go give 1t to her." he said. land tell
her send by compliments. with great
admiration of her taste in literature.
He mOtiOned the soldier to show Jean