The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-09-24
CHAPTER VII.

share of ease. Detroit lay many miles
northeastward across the wilderness,
and the English, he thought, would
scarcely come so far to attack his little
post, especially now that most of the
Indians in the intervening country had
declared in favor of the Americans.
Recently, too, the weather had been
| favoring him by changing from wet to
dry, so that the upper Wabash and its
tributaries were falling low and would
soon be very difficult to navigate with
large batteauX.
Very little was done TO repair the
stockade and dilapidatcd remnant of a
| blockhouse. There were no sufficient
barracks, a mere shed in one angle
serving for quarters, and the old can
non could not have been used to any
effect in case of attack As for the
garrison, it was a nominal quantity,
made up mostly of men who preferred
hunting and fishing to the mcrest pre-.
tense of military duty.
Gaspard Roussillon assumed to know
everything about Indian affairs and
the condition of the English at Detroit.
His optimistic eloquence lulled Helm
to n very pleasant sense of security.
Beverley was not SO easy to satisfy,
but his suggestions regarding military
! discipline and vigorous prosecution
of repairs to the blockhouse and stock
ade We're treated with dilatory iseniali-
ty by his superior officer. The soft
wonder of perfect Indian summer
gloritied land, river and sky. Why not
dream and bask? Why not drink ex-
hilarating toddies?
Meantime the entertainment TO be
| given by Gaspard Roussillon occupied
everybody's Imagination to an unusual
extent. Rene de Ronville. remember
ing but not needing the doubtful sue
cess of his former attempt, went long
beforehand to claim Alice as his
partenairc, but she fatty refused him.
once more reminding him of his obliga-
tons to little Adrienne Bourcier. He
would not be convinced.
You are bound to me-" he said. "You
promised before, you know, and the
party was but put off | hold you TO It,
You are my partenaire and am yours !;
you can't deny that"
mo, you are not my partcnaire," she
firmly said, then added lightly, Ecu
mon partenaire, you are dead and
buried as my partner at that dance"
He glowered in silence for few mo-
ments, then said:
ut is Lieutenant Beverley, sup
poser"
She gave him quick, contemptuous
look, but turned it instantly into one
of her tantalizing smiles.
"Do you imagine that?" she demand
ed.
Imagine IT, / know it." he said
with a hot flush. Have no senseT
Precious little" she replied with a
merry laugh.
You think So"
Go to Father Beret, tell him every
thing, and then ask him what he
thinks" she said in calm, even tone,
her face growing serious.
There was an awkward silence.
She had touched Rene's vulnerable
spot. He was nothing If not Il devout
Catholic, and his conscience rooted it
self in what good Father Beret had
taught him.
Father Beret was the humble, self
effacing, never firing agent of good in
his community. He preached in ten
der singsong voice the sweet monot-
onies of his creed and the sublime
truths of Christ's code. He was in
deed the spiritual father of his people.
No wonder Rene's scowling expression
changed TO one of abject self concern
when the priests name was suddenly
connected with his mood. The confess
sional doomed up before the eyes of his
conscience and his knees smote togeth-
er, spiritually if not physically.
Now" said Alice brusquely, but with
sweet and gentle firmness, Ego to your
fiancee, go to pretty and good Adrienne,
and ask her to be your partenaire.
Refresh your conscience with a noble
draft of duty and make that dear
little girl overflow with joy. Go, Rene
de Ronvlle."
Rene felt his soul covering even
sinking but he fairly maintained a
good face, and went away without say
ing another word.
"Ciel, ciel, how beautiful she isl he
thought, as he walked along the mar
row street In the dreamy sunshine.
But she Is not for me, not for me-"
He shook himself and tried to be
cheerful. In fact he hummed n creole
dltty, something about LA belle Jean
cite, qu' brise mon cnur."
Days passed, and at last the time OF
the great event arrived, It was a
frosty night, clear, sparkling with
stars, keen breath cutting down from
the northwest. NJ. Roussillon, Nine.
Roussillon, Alice and Lieutenant Bever.
ley went together to the river house,
whittier they had been preceded by al.
most the entire population of Vim
cennes. Some fires had0een built out
side, the crowd proving too great for
the buildings capacity, as there had to
be ample space for the dancers. Merry
groups lowered around the flaming
! LOGS while within the houSa n fiallc