Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-01-29


bic feast
well, we'll if you are not hungry.
my son, sit down on the stool there
and tell me the news"
Farnsworth took the low seat with
out word. letting his eyes wander
over the walls. Alces rapicr, the
mate to that now worn by Hamilton,
hung in it's curiously engraved scab
bard near one corner The s.ght of 1t
inflamed Farnsworth.
ITS On outrage" he broke forth
Governor Hamilton sent man to
Roussillon place with orders 20 bring
him the scabbard of Miss Roussilon's
sword, and he now wears the beautiful
weapon as if he had come by it hon.
estly. Curse him.
"My dear. dear son. you must not
soil your lips with such language!
Father Bcrct let fall the half of well
bitten cake and held up both hands.
81 beg your pardon. father. l know
l ought to be more careful in your
presence, but-but-the beastly scoun
drel''-
Bah! Doucement, mon fills, douce-
ment." The old man shook his head
and his finger while speaking. Easy.
my son, easy. You would be fine
target for bullets were your words to
reach Hamilton's ears. You are not
permitted to revile your commander"
Yes. | know; but how can Il man
restrain himself under such abomina
bic conditions"
Father Beret shrewdly guessed thai
Hamilton had been giving the captain
fresh reasons for bitter resentment
Moreover. he was sure that the moving
cause had been Alice. SO, in order to
draw out what he wished to hear. he
said very gently:
"IIow is the little prisoner getting
along?"
Farnsworth ground his teeth ano
swore, but Father Beret appeared not
to hear. He bit deep into scone, took
a liberal sip Of the muddy red wine
and added:
Has she comfortable place? Do
you think Governor Hamilton would
let me visit herr"
at is horrible" Farnsworth blurted.
"Shes penned up as if she were dan.
gerous beast, the poor girl. And that
ID scoundrel"-
"Son, SOM"
ooh, it's no use to try. I can't help
1t, father. The whelp"-
eve can converse more safely ana
intelligently if we avoid profanity and
undue emotion, my son. Now, if you
will quit swearing. l will, and if you
will be calm. so will L"
Farnsworth felt the sly irony of this
absurdly vicarious proposition. Father
Beret smiled with kindly twinkle In
his deep set eyes.
well, If you don't use profane lam
guage, father, there's no telling how
much you think In explosives. What Is
your opinion of man who tumbles a
poor, defenseless girl into prison and
then refuses to let her be decently
cared for? How do you express your
self about him."
MY son, men often do things of
which they ought to be ashamed.
heard of young officer once who NAL
treated little girl that he met at
night in the street. What evil he
would have done, had not a passing
kind hearted man reminded him of his
honor by friendly punch in the ribs,
l dare not surmise."
True, and your sarcasm goes home
as hard as your fist did, father. l
know that I've been a sad dog all my
life. Miss Roussillon saved you by
shooting me, and l love her for it.
Lay on, father; l deserve more than
you can give me-"
Surely you do, my son, surely you
do, but my love for you will not let me
give you pain. All, we priests have to
carry all mems loads. Our backs are
broad however; very broad, my son.
And your fists are heavy, father;
mighty heavy"
The gentle smile again flickered over
the priests weather beaten face as he
glanced sidewise at Farnsworth and
said:
Sometimes, sometimes, my son, q
carnal weapon must break the way for
spiritual one. But we priests rarely
have much physical strength. Our de-
pendence is upon',-
ITO be sure; certainly" Farnsworth
interrupted, rubbing his side. Your
dependence is upon the first thing that
offers. I've had many a blow, but
yours was the solidest that ever Jared
my mortal frame, Father Beret"
The twain began to laugh. There is
nothing like "reminiscences to stir ur
fresh mutual sympathy.
IF your intercostals were somewhat
sore for a time on account of a con
tact with priestly knuckles, doubles.
there soon set in a corresponding un
easiness in the region of your con
science. Such shocks are often vigor
ously Alternative and tonic; eh, my
SOM"
you jolted me sober, father, ant
then l was ashamed of myself. Blu
where does all your tremendou:
strength lie? You don't look strong"