Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-05

1t touched her love of herOisln-but she
knew too much about Indian warfare
to hope that he could hold his own
against Long Hair, the wiliest and
bOldest of scalp hunters, and twenty
Of the most experienced braves in
HamiltOns forces. He would almost
certainly be killed and scalped or cap
tured and brought back to be shot or
hanged in vincennes. The thought
chilled and curdled her blood.
Both Helm and Father Beret tried to
encourage and comfort her by repre-
senting the probabilities In the fairest
light.
Its like hunting for needle in
haystack, going out to find man in
that wilderness" said Helm, with Opti-
mistic cheerfulness, land, besides. Bev
erley is no easy dose for twenty red
niggers to take. I've seen him tried ut
worse odds than that, and he got out
with whole skin too. Don't you fret
about him, Miss Roussillon."
Little help came to her from attempts
of this sort. She might brighten up
for awhile, but the dark dread and the
terrible gnawing at her heart, the sink
ing and despairing in her soul, could
not be cured.
What added immeasureably to her
distress was the attention Of Farms
worth. whose wound troubled him but
short time. He seemed to have had
revelation and change of spirit
since the unfortunate rencOunter and
the subsequent nursing at Alice's
hards. He was grave, earnest, kindly,
evidently striving to play a gentle and
honorable part. she could feel that he
carried Il load of regret, that he wanted
to pay i full price in good for the evil
that he had done. His sturdy English
heart was rightng itself nobly. yet she
but half understood him until his ac-
tons and words began TO betray his
love, and then she hated him uprcason-
ably. Realizing this, FarnsMOr,n bore
himself more like faithful dog than
In the manner hitherto habitual to him.
He Simply shadowed Alice and would
not be rebuffed. Never, was u good sol
dier-for he was that from head to foot
more lovelorn and love docile. The
maiden had completely subdued the
man.
About this time deep i'm rainy and
| pitch black night, Gaspard Roussillon
came home. He tapped on the door
again and again. Alice heard. but she
hesitated to speak or move. Was she
growing cowardly: Her heart beat
| like drum. There was but one per-
son in all the world that she could
think Of; it was not NJ. ROussilon
All, no; she had well nigh forgotten
her gigantic foster father.
1T is |, ma cherie; it is Gaspard. my
love. Open the door," came in boom
ing half whisper from without. Alice,
Jean, 1t is your Papa Roussillon, my
dears. Let me in
Alice was ut the door in u minute,
unbarring IT, w. RousSlllon entered
| from his buciskin clothes.
| POUR he exclaimed MY throat il
like dust" His thoughts We're diving
into the stores under the floor. Il am
famished. Dear children, dear little
ones. They are glad TO see papa! Wher,
is your mamma"
He had Alise in his arms and Jean
clung to his legs. Nine. ROussilon, to
be sure of no mistake, lighted lamp
with brand that smoldered on the
hearth and held it up; then, satisfied a.
to her husbands identity, set 1t on Il
shelf and flung herself into the affec.
| tionate group with clumsy abandon
making Il great noise.
''Oh, my dear Gaspardw she cried a.
she lunged forward. "Gaspard, Gas
pard"' Her voice fairly lifted the roof.
her great weight, hurled with such
force, overturned everybody. and all OF
them tumbled in heap, the rotund
| and solid dame sitting on top.
"Ouf! Not so impetuous, my dear.
pulled NJ. Roussillon. freeing himself
from her Unpleasant pressure and
scrambling to his feet. Really you
must have Jared well in my absence,
madame: you are much heavier He
laughed and lifted her up as If she had
been Il child kissing her resonantly.
His gun had fallen with Il great clat
| ter He took it from the floor and ex
amined it to see If it had been injured
| then set ii in II corner.
Il am afraid we have been makinc
| too much nose.' said Alice, speaking
very low. "There is patrol guard ev
cry night now. II they should hear
YOU
Ssh" whispered NJ. RoussilIon. I'VE
will be very still Alice, is there some
thing to eat and drop Of wine handy:
l have come many miles. I am tired
hungry. thirsty-Ziff!'