Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-19

perior with the sword and wounds you
| then Il single man wipes up the floor o.
a house with you and your guard. de
priving you at the same time Of boil
vision and memory, so that you cannO
even describe your assailant!'
HE was dressed like a priest" NUT
tered Barlow, evidently frightened a
his commanders scathing comment
"That was all there was to see."
"a priest. Some Of the men say the
devil. wonder Hamilton hesitatet
and looked at the floor. This Father
Beret, he is too old for such a thing
isn't he?"
81 have thought Of hint was like
him-but he is, as you say, very old
to be So tremendously strong and ac
tive. Why, | tell you that men went
from his hands against the walls and
floor as if shot out Of mortar. 1t was
the strangest and most astounding
thing ever heard Of"
A little later Barlow seized a favOra-
BILE opportunity and withdrew. The
conversation was not to his liking.
Hamilton sent for Father Beret and
had long talk with him. but the old
man looked so childishly inoffensive in
spirit and so collapsed physically that
it seemed worse than fOolishness TO ac-
cuse him Of the exploit over which the
entire garrison was wondering. Farms
worth sat by during the interview. He
looked the good priest curiously and
critically over from head to foot re-
membering, but not mentioning, the
most unclerical punch in the side re-
ceived from that energetic right arm
now lying so flabbily across the old
mans lap.
When the talk ended and Father Be-
ret humbly took his leave, Hamilton
turned to Farnsworth and said
What do you think of this affair? |
have cross questioned all the men who
took part in it, and every one Of them
says simply priest or devil. think old
Beret is both. but plainly he couldn't
hurt a chicken; you can see that at a
glance"
Farnsworth smiled, rubbing his side
reminiscently, but he shook his head.
I'm sure it's puZZling, indeed
Hamilton sat in thoughtful silence
for awhile, then abruptly changed the
subject.
Il think, captain, that you had bet
ter send out Lieutenant Barlow and
some Of the best woodsmen to kill some
game. We need fresh venison. and, by
George. I'm not going to depend upon
these French traitors any longer
have set my foot down. They've got to
do better or take the consequences"
He paused for breath. then added:
"That girl has done too much to escape
severest punishment. The garrison will
be demoralized if this thing goes on
without an example Of authority rig
idly enforced. I am resolved that there
shall be a startling and effective public
display Of my power to punish. She
shot you. You seem to be glad of 1t.
but 1t was grave offensp. She has
stabbed Barlow. That is another So
rious crime; but, worst of all. she aid
ed a spy and resisted arrest. She must
be punished"
Farnsworth knew HamiltOn's nature.
and he now saw that Alice was in
dreadful danger Of death or something
even worse. No sooner had he left
Headquarters and given Barlow his IN
Structions touching the hunting eXpedi-
ton than his mind began TO wander
umid visions and schemes by no means
consistent with his military obligations.
In order 10 reflect undisturbed he went
forth into the dreary, lanelike streets of
vincennes and walked aimlcssly here
md there until lie met Father Beret.
FanswOrth saluted the old man and
was passing him by when. seeing
sword in his hand half hidden in the
folds of his worn and faded cassock, he
turned and addressed him:
why are you armed this morning.
father" he demanded very pleasantly.
"Who Is TO suffer now:'
81 am not on the warpath, my son..
replied the priest. 1T is but rapier
that | am going to clean Of rust spots
that are gathering on its blade"
is it yours. father? Let me see 1t.
He held out his hand
mo; not mine"
Father Beret seemed not to notice
Farnsworths desire to handle the
weapon, and the young man instead OF
repeating his words reached farther.
nearly grasping the scabbard.
Il cannot let you take it. my son,
said Father Beret. "YOu have its mate.
That should satisfy you"
mo; Colonel Hamilton took it,
Farnsworth quickly replied. "lf !
could would gladly return 1t to its
owner. am not a thief, father. and |
am ashamed of-of-what | did when
was drunk
The priest looked sharply into Farms
worth's eyes and read there something
that reassured him. His long eXpe-
rience had rendered him adept ut TAX
ing Il mans value ut Il glance. He
slightly lifted his face and said:
"Ah. but the poor little girl! Why do
you persecute her? She really does
not deserve it. She is Il noble child
Give her back to her home and her peo-
pie. Do not soil and spoil her sweet
life"
1t was the singsOng voice used by
Father Berct in his sermons and pray
ers, but something went with it inde'
scribabfy touching. Farnsworth felt Il
lump rise i'm his throat, and his eyes
were ready to show tears.
"Father," he said with difficulty.
making his words distinct, Il would
not harm Miss Roussillon to save my
own life. and would do anything
He paused slightly, then added with
passionate force 81 would do anything
no matter what, to save her from the
terrible thing that now threatens her.
Father Beret's countenance changed
curiously as he gaZed at the young man
and said:
IF you really mean what you say
you can easily save her, my son."
Father, by all that is holy. | mean
Just what say"
Swear not at all, my son, but give
me your hand"
The two men stood with tight grip
between them and exchanged a long.
steady, searching gaze.
A drizzling rain had begun to fall
again, with raw wind creeping from