Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-01-20
ALICE OF OLD
V|NCEVNES
CHAPTER XII.
y MAURICE THOMPSON
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CHAPTER XII.
RAPIER THRUST.
~ EVERLEY'S absence was not
noticed by Hamilton until late
- on the following day, and even
then he secuted Helms sug-
8estion that the young man was posi-
bly, carrying out his threat to disre
gard his parole.
HE would be quite justified in do
Ing 1t. You know that very WE'LL" said
Helm. with laugh. And he's Just the
man to undertake what is impossible
Ot course he'll get scalped for his
trouble, and that will cost you some.
thing, I'm happy to say"
lit Is matter Of small Importance"
Hamilton replied, but I'll wager YOU
the next toddy that he's not at the
present moment half mile from this
spot He may be fool readily
grant that he is-but even a fool is not
going to set out alone in this kind of
weather to go to where your rebel
friends are probably toasting their
shins by the fire of green logs and half
starving over yonder on the Nissis-
dppi.'
Joking aside, you are doubtless
hight Beverley is hot headed, and if
he could he'd get even with you quick
enough, but he hasn't left Vincennes,
think. Miss Roussillon would keep
him here II the place were on fire."
Hamilton laughed dryly. He had
thought just what Helm was saying.
Beverley's attention to Alice had not
escaped his notice.
'Speaking Of that girl" he remarked
after moments silence. what am
to do with her? There's no place to
keep her, and Farnsworth insists that
abe wasn't to blame" He chuckled
again and added:
Its true as gospel He's in love
with her too. Seems to be glad she
shot him Says he's ashamed Of him.
self for ever suspecting her of any
thing but being genuine angel. Why.
he's got as flabby as rabbit and mum.
bles like fool"
Same as you or at his age" said
Helm, taking a chew of tobacco. she
Is pretty thing. Beverley doesn't
know his foot from his shoulder blade
when she's anywhere near him. Boys
are boys. I'm sort Of boy myself"
IF she'd give up that flag I'd let her
Co." said Hamilton. Il hate to confine
her. 1t looks brutal and makes me feel
like a tyrant.'
'Have you ever happened to notice
the obvious fact, Governor Hamilton,
that Alice Roussillon and Father Beret
are not all the French in Vincennes?"
"What do you mean?"
Il mean that don't for a moment
believe that either the girl or the priest
knows thing about where that flag IS.
They are both as truthful and honor
able as people ever get to be. know
them. Somebody else got that flag
from under the priests floor. You may
depend upon that If Miss Roussillon
knew where it is she'd say 80 and then
hidden"
ooh, the whole town is rotten with
treason! That's very clear. There's
not a loyal soul in it outside Of my
torces."
THANK you for not including me
among the loyalists."
"Humph! l spoke of these French
people. They pretend to be true. but
believe they are all traitors"
you can manage them if you try. A
little jolly kindness goes long way
with 'em. had no trouble while l
held the town."
Hamilton bit his lip and was silent.
Helm was exasperatingly good tenn
pered, and his popularity was irresist-
Ible. While he was yet speaking
guard came up. followed by Jean, the
hunchback, and, saluting, said to Ham,
uton:
1.-The lad wants to see the young lady,
sir"
Hamilton gazed quizzically at Jean.
who planted himself in his habitual
attitude before him and stared up into
which seems to be characteristic of
hunchbacks and undedged birds-the
look of an embodied and hideOus joke.
well, sir, what will you have" the
governor demanded.
II want to see Alice, il you please"
''What for"'
II want to give her book to read"
"Ah, indeed. Where Is it? Let me
zee it."
Jean took from the breast of his loose
jerkin small volume, dog cared and
widowed, and handed it to Hamilton.
Meantime he stood first on one foot,
then on the other, gnawing his thumb
nail and blinking rapidly.
"Well, Helm. Just look here!'
"What?"
"Haven't you ever read it,"
''Read whati'
This novel;"
"Never read a novel in my life; never
expect to-"
Hamilton laughed freely at Helms
expense, then turned to Jean and gave
him back the book.
It would have been quite military
had he taken the precaution to examine
between the pages for something hid
den there, but he did not.
"Go give 1t to her," he said, land tell
her send by compliments. with great
admiration of her taste in literature"
He motioned the soldier to show Jean
to Alice. "It's French story" he
added, addressing Helm, enough to
make pirate blush. That's the sort Of
eirl Mile. Roussillon isl!
II don't care what kind Of book
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