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

FarnSWOrth.
Father Beret, like most men of strong
feeling who have been subjected to /
long years of trial. hardship, multi |
tudinous dangers and all sorts Of temp !
tation, ana who have learned the les
sons of self control had an iron will.
and also an abiding distrust Of weak
men. He saw Farnsworths sincerity,
but he had no faith in his constancy. !
although satisfied that while resent
ment of Hamiltons mroriousncss
lasted he would doubtless remain firm
in his purpose to aid Alice.
lie listened in silence to Farms
worth's story When it came TO an
end he began to offer some but half
relevant suggestions in the form OF
indirect cross questions, by means Of
which he gradually drew out minute
description of Alice's prison the best
way to reach it. the nature of its door
fastenings, where the key was kept,
and everything. indeed. likely to be
helpful to one contemplating jail de-
livery. Farnsworth was inwarlly de-
lighted. He felt Father Bcret's cum
ming approach to the central object and
his crafty method of gathering details.
The shades of evening thickened in
the stuffy cabin room while the con
vcrsation went on. Father Beret pres
emily lifted Il punchcon in one corner
of the floor and got out large bottle,
which bore Il widowed and faded
French label. and with it a small iron
cup. There was just light enough left
to show brownish sparkle when,
after popping ont the cork, he poured
draft in the fresh cup and in his
own.
1--WE may think more clearly, my son,
if we taste this old liquor. have kept
it long while to offer upon proper
occasion. The occasion is here"
a ravishing bouquet quickly imbued
the air. 1t was itself an INVESTIGATION.
"The brothers of St Martin distilled
this liquor" Father Beret added,
handing the cup to Farnsworth, mot
for common social drinking, my son,
but for times when man needs eX-
traordinary stimulation. 1t is said to
be surprisingly good because st. Mar
tin blessed the vine"
The doughty captain felt a sudden
and imperious thirst seize his throat.
The liquor flooded his veins before his
lips touched the cup. He had been alb
staining lately; now his besetting APP
petite rushed upon him. At one gulp
he took in the fiery yet smooth and
captivating draft. Nor did he notice
that Father Beret, instead of joining
him in the potation, merely lifted his
cup and set it down again, smacking
his lips with gusto.
There followed a silence, during
which the aromatic breath of the bot
tie increased its dangerous fascination.
Then Father Beret again filled Farms
worth's cup and said:
"Ah. the blessed monks little thought
that their matchless brew would ever
be slipped in poor missionary's hut
on the Wabash. But. after all, my
son, why not here as well as in sunny
France? our object justifies any i'm
propriety Of time and place.
You are right, father l drink to
our object. Yes, say, to our object"
In fact, the drinking preceded his
speech, and his tongue already had Il
loop in it, The liquor stole through
him, a mist of bewildering and en-
chanting influence. The third cup
broke his sentences into unintelligible
fragments; the fourth made his under
jaw sag loosely; the fifth and SIXTH
taken in close succession, tumbled him
limp on the floor, where he slept bliss
fully all night long, snugly covered
with some of Father Beret's bed
clothes.
per casum obliquum, ct per indi-
rectum," muttered the priest when he
had returned the bottle and cup to their
hiding place. THE end justfies the
means. Sleep well, my son. All, little
Alice, little Alice, your old father will
try, will try"'
| He fumbled along the wall in the
dark until he found the rapier, which
he took down; then he went out and
sat for some time motionless beside
the door, while the clouds thickened
overhead. 1t was late when he arose
and glided away shadowlike toward
the fort, over which the night hung
black, chill and drearily silent. The
moon was still some hours high, but
smothered by the clouds; fog slowly
drifted from the river.
Meantime Hamilton and Helm had
spent part of the afternoon and even
ing, as usual, at cards. Helm broke
off the game and went to his quarters
rather early for him, leaving the gov
ernor alone and in a bad temper, be-
cause Farnsworth, when he had sent
for him, could not be found. Three
times his orderly returned in as many
hours with the same report. The cap
tain had not been seen or heard of.
Naturally this sudden and complete
disappearance, Immediately after the
reprimand, suggested to Hamilton an
unpleasant possibility. What if Farms
worth had deserted him?
Hamilton sat for some time after
Helms departure, thinking over what