Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-19
CHAPTER NV.
4 nrIsnNER nE LOVE

"A LICE put on her warmest
"a clothes and followed Captain
| "a Farnsworth to the fort, realiz-
ing that no pleasant expert
ence awaited her. The wind and rain
still prevailed when they were ready to
set forth. and, although it was not en-
tremely cold. Il searching chill went
with every throb that marked tpe
storms waves. No lights shone in the
village houses Overhead gray gloom
| covered stars and sky. making the
darkness in the watery streets seem
densely black. Farnsworth offered Al
ice his arm. but she did not accept it.
81 know the way better than you do.
she said Come on, and don't be
afraid that am going to run. shall
not play any trick on you."
Very well. mademoiselle, as yon
like. trust YOU"
They FASTENED along until a lantern
in the fort shot Il hazy sleam upon
them.
stop moment. mademOiselle,
Farnsworth called. Il say, Miss Rous-
sillon, stop moment, please"
Alice halted and turned. facing him
so short and so suddenly that the rapier
in his hand pricked through her wrap
and slightly scratched her arm.
What do YOU mean, sir:' she de-
manded. thinking that he had thrust
purposely. DO | deserve this brutal
ity?"
"You mistake me, Miss RoussillOn.
cannot be brutal to you now. Do moi
fear me. only had 4 word to say
"Oh. you deem it very polite and gen
tie to jab me with your sword, do you:
| Ii | had one in my hand you would
not dare try such Il thing, and you
know it very WE'LL
He was amazed. not knowing that
the sword point had touched her. He
could not see her face. but there was Il
| fash in her voice that startled him
with its indignant contempt and resent
ment.
What are you saying, Miss Roussl-
lon? | don't understand you. When
did | ever-when did | jab you with
my sword? | never thought of such a
| thing"
This moment, sir, you did. and you
know YOU did. My arm is bleeding
now"
She spoke rapidly in French, but he
caught her meaning and for the first
became aware of the rapier in his
band Even then its point was toward
her and very near her breast. He low
cred ii instantly while the truth rushed
into his mind.
"F0rgivo me-" he murmured. his
words ba:cly audible in the tumult OF
wind and rain. but charged with the
ttenSeSt feeling
"Forsivc me. did not know. 1t was
an accident. l could not do such
thing purposely. Bell We me. believe
me. Miss Roussillon. | did not mean
it,"
'T should like to believe YOU" she
presently said. "but | cannot. You
ENGLISH are all, all dcspicable. mean,
vilew
"Some time you shall not say that"
FarnSworth responded. II asked you
to stop a moment that | might beg you
to believe how wretchedly sorry | am
cor what arr doing. But you canno,
understand me now. Are you really
hurt, Miss EousSillon? | assure sou
that ii WAS purely accidental.
My hurt 4 nothing" she said.
Il ain very glad.
We'll then. shall we 20 on to tn.
fort:"
You may 20 where you please. ma
demoiSellc."
She turned her back upon him and
Wi:hout an answering word walked
straiSht TO the lantern that hung by
the gate of the stockade, where Il senti-
mel tramped to and fro. y few mo-
ments later Captain FarnswOrth pre-
sented her to Hamilton. who had been
called from his bed when the news of
tire .rouble at Roussillon place reached
the fort.
$50 you've been raising trouble again.
have YOU. miss" he growlcd, with an
ugly frown darkening his face.
Il beg your pardon said Farms
worth. Miss RoussillOn was not to
blame for
In your eyes she'd not be to blame.
sir. If she burned up the fort and all OF
us in H." Hamilton gruffly interrupted.
Miss. what have YOU been doing!
What are you here for? Captain Farms
worth, you will please state the partic-
ulars of the trouble that | have just
heard about. And may rs well notify
YOU that | wish to hear no special low
ers pleading in this girls behalf"
Farnsworth's face whitened with an
ger. He bit his lip. and shiver ran
through his frame, but he had to con-
quer the passion. In II few words
| blunt and direct as musket balls he
| told all the circumstances of what had
taken place. making no concealments
| to favor Alice, but boldly blaming the
officer of the patrol. Lieutenant Bar
| low. for losing his mead and attacking
young girl in her own home.
Il will hear from Barlow. said
| Hamilton after listening attentively to
the story But take this girl and con-
| fine her. Show her no favOrS. | hold
you responsible for her until tomorrow
morning You can retire
There was no room for discussion.
Farnsworth saluted and turned to
| Alice.
"Come with me-" he gently said.
Hamilton looked after them as they
went ont of his room, Il curious smile
playing around his firmly set lips.
.Shes the most beautiful vixen that
| ever saw" he thought. "She doesn't
| look to be Il French girl either: decided