The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-09-03

reply. Much drinking will be done.
The men have all been dry here for
some time, you know, and are as
thirsty as sand They are making
ready to enjoy themselves down at the
river house"
"Ah, the poor sous!" sighed Father
Beret. speaking as % whose thoughts
were wandering far away.
"Why don't you read your letter,
Father" Rene added.
The priest started. turned the soiled
square of paper over in his hand, then
thrust it inside his robe.
at can wait" he said. Then, chang
ing his voice: "The squirrels you gave
me were excellent, my son. II was
good of you to think of me-" he added,
laying his hand on Renc's arm.
"Oh. I'm glad If l have pleased you,
Father Beret for you are so kind to
me always, and to everybody. When |
killed the squirrels | said to myself:
These are young, juicy and tender;
Father Berct must have these, - I
brought them along"
The young man rose to go, for lie
was somehow impressed that Father
Berct must wish opportunity to read
his letter and would prefer to be left
alone with it. But the priest pulled
him down again.
"Stay awhile" he said, Il have not
had talk with you for some time"
Rene looked n tritle uneasy.
you will not drink any tonight my
son." Father Beret added. you must
not. DO you hear?"
The young mans eyes and mouth at
once began to have a sullen express
sion Evidently he was not pleased and
felt rebellious, but it was hard for him
to resist Father Berct, whom he loved,
as did every soul in the post. The
priests voice was sweet and gentle,
yet positive to a degree. Rene did not
say word.
Promise me that you will not taste
liquor this night" Father Beret went
on, grasping the young mans arm
firmly. Promise me, my son; promise
me-"
Still Rene was silent. The men did
not look at each other, but gazed away
across the country beyond the Wabash
to where q glory from the western sun
famed on the upper rim of great
cloud fragment creeping along the hori-
Zon.
'Eh bien, l must co." said Rene pres
emily, getting to his feet nlmbly and
evading Father Beret's hand, which
would have held him.
Not to the river house, my son?'
said the priest appealingly.
mo, not there. have another letter;
one for Msieu' Roussilon. 1t came by
the boat too. | go to give 1t to Nine.
Roussillon."
Rene de Ronvillc was dark, weather
stained young fellow, neither tall nor
short, wearing buckskin moccasins,
trousers and tunic. His eyes were dark
brown, keen, quick moving, set well
under heavy brows. \ razor had prob
ably never touched his face, and his
thin, curly beard crinkled over his
strongly turned cheeks and chin, while
his mustaches sprang out quite fiercely
above his full Tipped, almost sensual
mouth. He looked wiry and active.
man not to be lightly reckoncd with in
a trial of bodily strength and will
power.
Father Beret's face and voice chang
ed on the instant. He laughed dryly
and said, with sly CLEAN in his eyes:
You could spend the evening pleas
antly with Nine. Roussillon and Jean.
Jean, you know, is very amusing fell
low"
Rene brought forth the letter of
which he had spoken and held 1t up be-
fore Father Beret's face.
Maybe you think | haven't any let
ter for M'sieu' Roussillon," he blurted,
"and maybe you are quite certain that
/ am not going to the house to take the
letter"
M. Roussillon is absent, you know"
Father Beret suggested. "But cherry
pies are just as good while he's gone
as when he's ut home, and / happen to
know that there are some particularly
delicious ones in the pantry of Nine.
Roussillon. Mile. Alice gave me
juicy sample, but then | dare say you
do not care to have your pie served by
her hand. 1t would interfere with
your appetite. Eth, my SOM"
Rene turned short about, wagging
his head and laughing, and so with his
back TO the priest he strobe away along
the wet path leading to the Roussillon
place.
Father Bcrct gazed after him, his
face relaxing to n serious expression
In which Il trace OF sadness and gloom
spread like an elusive twilight. He
took out his letter, but did not glance
at 1t, simply holding 1t tightly gripped
In his sinewy right hand. Then his
old eyes stared vacantly, as eyes do
when their sight is cast back many.
many years into the past The mis-
siye was from beyond the sca-he
knew the handwriting watt OF the
flowers of Avignon seemed to rise out
Of 1t, as if by the pressure OF his
grasp
\ stoop shouldered, bury man went
by leading a pair Of goats, a kid fol.
lowing. He was making haste excited.