Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-02-03
y MAURICE THOMPSON

B0WU.MRRuL CoNRAHY Z
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER XIV.
A PRISONER OF LOVE.
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 we're ready to
set forth, and, although it was not ex-
tremely cold, searching chill went
with every throb that marked the
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.
II know the way better than you do"
she said. Come on, and don't be
afraid that am going to rim. shall
not play any trick on you"
"Very we'll, mademoiselle, as you
like. l trust YOU
They FASTENED along until a lantern
in the fort shot hazy CLEAN upon
them.
"Stop moment, mademoiselle,"
Farnsworth called Il say, Miss Rous-
sillon, stop a 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 be had thrust
purposely do l deserve this brutal
iTT"
/ "You mistake me. Miss Roussillon.
cannot be brutal to you now. Do not
fear me. l only had word to say"
"Oh, you deem it very polite and gen.
tie to jab me with your sword, do you?
II l had one in my hand you would
not dare try such 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 a
fash in her voice that startled him
| with its indignant contempt and resent
ment.
what are you saying, Miss Roussil-
lon? don't understand you. When
did I ever-when did jab you with
my sword? never thought of such a
thing"
''This moment, sir. you did, and you
Inow you did. Ny 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
| hand. Even then its point was toward
| her and very near her breast. he low
cred it instantly while the truth rushed
! into his mind.
"Forgive me-" he murmured, his
words barely audible in the tumult Of
wind and rain, but charged with the
-htensest feeling.
| "Forgive me- did not know. It was
! an accident I could not do such q
thing purposely. Believe me, believe
me, Miss Roussillon. did not mean
it,
II should like to believe you," she
presently said, but. I cannot. You
English are all, all despicable, mean,
v1lew
'Some time you shall not say that" "
Farnsworth responded. II asked you
10 stop a moment that might beg You
30 believe how wretchedly sorry am
for what am doing. But you cannot
! understand me now. Are you really
hurt, Miss Roussillon? l assure you
that it was purely accidental"
my hurt is nothing" she said.
II am very glad"
"Well. then, shall we go on to the
fortT
"You nng go where you please, ma
demoiselle."
| She turned her back upon him and
without an answering word walked
straight to the lantern that hung by
the gate Of the stockade. where a senti-
mel tramped to and fro. A few mo-
ments later Captain Farnsworth pre-
Bented her to Hamilton, who had been
called from his bed when the news of
the trouble at Roussillon place reached
the fort
$50 you've been raising trouble again
have you, miss7' he growled, with an
ugly frown darkening his face.
II beg your pardon" said Farms.
worth, Miss Roussillon was not ia
blame for
TN your eyes she'd not be to blame
sir, If she burned up the fort and all OF
Us in It." Hamilton gruff1y 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 I have Just
heard about. And may as we'll notify
You that wish to hear no special low
ers pleading n<this girls behalf"
Farnsworth's face whitened with an
ger. He bit his lip, and shiver fa1
through his frame, but he had to con
quer the passion. In q few words
blunt and direct as musket balls hi
told all the circumstances Of what had
taken place, making no concealmentt
to favor Alice, but boldly blaming thu
officer Of the patrol, Lieutenant Bar
low, for losing his head and attacking
young girl IN her own home ~ ~ 5.5.,
II will bear from Barlow saii
Hamilton after listening attentvely t.
the story. But take this girl and con
fine her. Show her no favors. I hole
4 you responsible for her until tomorrow
morning. You can retire. )" .sE. 4. s:z; i
There was no room for discussion
4 Tarnsworth saluted and turned 4
III * H0n szSs