Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-03-16

You have rested we'll. my son. Hard
al the bed is, you have done it a COM
pliment in the way Of sleeping. You
young soldiers understand how to get
the most out Of things"
you are too generous, father, and
can't appreciate it. know what de-
serve, and you know it too. Tell me
what a brute and fool l am. 1t will
do me good. Punch me solid jolt in
the ribs, like the one you gave me not
long ago."
"Qui sine peccato est, primus la
pidem mittat," said the priest. (''Let
him who is without sin east the first
stonc.')
Just then some one knocked ON the
door Father Beret opened it to one Of
Hamilton's aids.
"Your pardon, father, but, hearing
Captain Farnsworth's voice. I made
bold to knock"
"What is it, Bobby:' Farnsworth
called out
Nothing, only the governor has been
and corner Of the fort and town. You'd
better report at once or he'll be having
us drag the river for your body"
"All right, lieutenant. Go back and
keep mum; that's dear boy. and III
shuttle into Colonel Hamilton's august
presence before many minutes"
The aid laughed and went his way
whistling a merry tune.
"Now l am sure to get what I de-
serve. with usury at 40 per cent in ad-
vance, said Farnsworth dryly, shrug-
ging his shoulders with undissembled
dread of Hamilton's wrath. But the
anticipation was not realized. The
governor received Farnsworth stifly
enough, yet in way that suggested
suppressed desire to avoid explana-
tons on the captains part and a repri-
mand on his own. Alice's white face
had impressed itself indelibly on his
memory. so that it met his inner vision
at every turn. He was afraid to con-
verse with Farnsworth lest she should
come up for discussion: consequently
their Interview was curt and formal.
1t was soon discovered that Alice had
escaped from the stockade. and some
show Of search was made for her by
Hamilton's order, but Farnsworth
looked to it that the order was not
carried out. He thought he saw at
once that his chief knew where she
was.
Hamilton's uneasiness, which was
that of strong. misguided nature try
ing to justify itself amid confusion
Of unmanageable doubts and misgiv-
lngs. now vented itself In a resumption
Of the repairs he had been making at
certain points In the fort. These he
completed just in time for the coming
Of Clark:
CHAPTER XIX.
THE ATTACK.
IT has already been mentioned that
Indians arriving singly or In
squads to report at Hamilton's
headquarters We're in the habit
of firing their guns before entering
the town or the fort, not only as sig.
nal Of their approach, but in order to
rid their weapons of their charges pre-
liminary to cleaning them before set
ting out upon another scalp hunting
expedition. A shot, therefore, or even
4 volley, heard on the outskirts Of the
village was not a noticeable incident
in the daily and nightly experience OF
the garrison. Still, for some reason
Governor Hamilton started violently
when just after nightfall five or six
rides cracked sharply short distance
from the stockade.
BE and Helm, with two other officers
were in the midst of game Of cards
while kettle, swinging on a crane In
the ample fireplace, sang shrill prom
Use of hot applejack toddy.
by Jover' exclaimed Farnsworth
who, although not in the game, was
amusing himself with looking on, ''yo,
Jump like fine lady! almost fancied
heard a bullet hit you"
"You may all jump while you can,
remarked Helm. That's Clark. and
your times short. He'll have this fort
tumbling on your heads before day
light Of tomorrow morning comes"
AS he spoke he arose from his sea,
at the card table and went to look after
the toddy which, as an expert, he had
under supervision.
Hamilton frowned. The mention OF
Clark was disturbing. Ever since the
strange disappearance of Lieutenan,
Barlow he had nursed the fear that
possibly Clark's scouts had captured
him and that the American forces
might be much nearer than kaskaskia
Besides, his nerves were unruiy, as
they had been ever since the encounter
with Father Beret, and his vision per
sisted In turning back upon the &C
cusing cold face Of Alice, lying in the
moonlight. One little detail Of tina,
scene almost maddened him at times
1t was sheeny, crinklcd wisp OF
warm looking hair loopcd across the
cheek in which he had often seen a
saucy dimple dance when Alice spoke
or smiled. He was bad enough. but
not wholly bad, and the thought OF
having darkened those merry eyes and
stlled those sweet dimples tore
through him with cold and raspine
pang.
"Just as soon as this teddy is prop.
erly mixed and tempered" said Helm
with a magnetic jocosity beaming from
his genial face, I'm going to propose
toast to the banner of Alice Rous
sillon. which whole garrison Of Brit
ish braves has been unable to take!'
If you do I'll blow a hole through
you," said Hamilton in a voice fairly
shaken to husky quaver with rage