Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-03-03


tated, but only for the briefest space.
then said:
Eyes, my word as a British officer"
Father Beret waved his hand with
mpaticncc.
Go, then, back to your place in the
fort, and disturb my people no more.
The soul Of this poor little girl will
haunt you forever. Got"
Hamilton stood little while gazing
at the face of Alice with the horrible
wistfulness of remorse. What would
he not have given to rub his eyes and
find it all a dream?
He turned away. q cloud scudded
across the moon, here and yonder In
the dim town cocks crowed with lone
some, desultory effect.
Father Beret plucked up the rapier
that he had wrenched from Hamilton's
hand. 1t suggested something.
"Hold!' he called out. ''Give me the
scabbard Of this sword
Hamilton, who was striding vigor-
ously in the direction of the fort,
turned about as the priest FASTENED to
him.
"Give me the scabbard of this rapier.
I want 1t. Take It off,"
The command vas not gentle voiced.
A hoarsc half 1hisper winged every
word with an iluperious threat.
Hamilton obeyed. His hands were
not firm. His fingers fumbled nervous
~, but he hurried, and Father Berct
soon had the rapier sheathed and Sc
cured at his belt beside its mate.
A good and true priest is a burden
bearer His motto is. Alter alterius
onera portate Dear ye one another's
burdens). His soul is enriched with
the castoff sorrows of those whom he
relieves. Father Bcret 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 indwelling 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 breathing spell he knocked.
The household, fast asleep. did not
hear, but lie persisted until the door
was opened to him and his burden.
Captain Farnsworth Enclosed his
bloodshot eyes at about 8 o'clock in
the morning. quite confused as to his
place and surroundings. He looked
about drcwsily with sheepisl 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 hand through his
tousled hair. Father Beret was on
his knees before the cross. still as
statue, his claspcd hands extended up
ward.
Farnsworth's face lighted with rec
ognition, and he smiled rather bitterly.
He recalled everything and felt asham-
ed, Inundated, self debased. He had
outraged even priests hospitality
with his british appetite. and he hated
himself for it.
''1'm a shabby, worthless dog" he
muttered, with petulant accent. why
don't you kick me out, father?"
The priest turned collapsed and
bloodless gray face upon him, smiled
In tired, perfunctory way, crossed
himself absently and said:
"You have rested well, my son. Hard
as the bed u.s. 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 generous, father, and
can't appreciate it. know what de-
serve, and you know it too. Tell me
what 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
ptdem mittat," said the priest. (''Lct
him who is without sin cast the first
stone.'o
Just then some one knocked on the
door. Father Beret opened it to one of
Hamilton's aids.
"Your pardon, father, but, hearing
Captain Farnsworth's voice, made
bold to knock"
"What is it, Bobby?" Farnsworth
called out.
Nothing, only the governor has been
having you looked for in every nook
and corner Of the fort and iowa Y"::',l
better report at once or he'll ha Law AZ.
us drag the river for your Eo'lv."
Gall right. lieutenant. ca ;:~.; sd
keep mum; that's dear In. a".' iii
shuttle into Colonel HaE.i:.. -: !.
presence before may m
The aid la:'@,::>.d and - ".,'
whistling II III. IT, tn:a'.
Nov I am >.if:.. ~ ::
serve With Msn"y
vance, said l;inswo:,h ,.r..'!y, shr...-
ging his shoulders With u:l:issambie,.
dread of Hamilton's wrati. But the
anticipation was not realized. The
governor received Farnsworth stiftiy
enough, yet in a way that suggested
q suppressed desire to avoid explana-