Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-07-14
CHAPTER XIV.


covered stars and sky, making the
darkness in the watery streets seem
densely black Farnsworth offered AL
ice his arm, but she did not accept it.
II know the way better than you do,
she said 'Come on, and don't be
afraid that am going to run. l shall
uot play any trick on you
Very well, mademoiselle, as you
like. l trust you
They FASTENED along until a lantern
in the fort shot a haZy CLEAN upon
them.
"Stop a moment, mademoiselle,
Farnsworth called. Il say, Miss Rous-
silIon, stop a moment, please"
Alice halted and turned, facing him
so short and so suddenly that the rapier
in his hand pricked through her wrap
and slightly scratched her arm.
What do you mean, sir?' she de
manded, thinking that he had thrust
purposely do l deserve this brutal
ity?"
You mistake me, Miss Roussillon.
cannot be brutal TO you now. Do not
fear me. l only had word to say"
"Oh, you deem it very polite and gen
tie to jab me with your sword, do you
If l had one in my hand you would
not dare try such a thing, and you
know it very we'll"
He was amazed, not knowing that
the sword point had touched her. He
could not -her-faee.- but there was a
ty, fap Ia1
with its indignant contempt and resent
ment.
What are you saying Miss Roussil-
Ion? l don't understand you. When
did l ever-when did l jab you with
my sword? I never thought of such a
thing
This moment, sir, you did, and you
know you did. My arm is bleeding
pow."
She spoke rapidly i'll French, but he
caught her meaning and for the first
became aware of the rapier in his
hand. Even then its point was toward
her and very near her breast. He low
cred it instantly while the rutb>plshed
into his mind.
words barely audible in the tumult of
wind and rain, but charged with the
intensest feeling.
"Forgive me. did not know. 1t was
an accident. L could not do such a
thing purposely. Believe me, believe
me, Miss Roussillon. I did not mean
it,
c-hn %1 nlf Ct.
presently said, 'but / cannot. You
English are all, all despicable, mean,
viler'
''Some time you shall not say that"
Farnsworth responded. II asked you
to stop moment that / might beg you
to believe how wretchedly sorry I am
VI what l am doing. But you cannot
Understand me now. Are you really
hurt, Miss Roussillon? | assure you
that it was purely accidental
My hurt is nothing" she said.
II am very glad"
swell, then, shall we go on to the
fort?'
demoiselle."
She" turned her back upon him and
without an answering word walked
straight to the lantern that hung by
the gate of the stockaGe, where senti-
mel tramped to and fro. \ few mo-
ments later Captain Farnsworth pre-
sented her to Hamilton, who had been
called from his bed when the news of
the trouble at Roussillon place reached
the fort.
$50 you've been raising trouble again,
have you, miss?" he growled, with an
ugly frown darkening his face.
81 beg your pardon" said Farms
worth, Miss Roussillon was not to
blame for
''In your eyes she'd not be to blame,
sir, If she burned up the fort and all of
us in it," Hamilton gruflly interrupted
Miss, what have you been doing!
What are you here for? Captain Farms
worth, you will please state the partic-
ulars of the trouble that l have just
heard about. And l may as we'll notify
you that 1 wish to hear no special low
er's pleading in this girls behalf"
Farnsworth's face whitened with an
ger. He bit his lip, and a shiver ran
through his frame, but he had to con-
quer the passion. In a few words
blunt and direct as musket balls he
told all the circumstances of what had
taken place, making no concealments
to favor Alice, but boldly blaming the
officer of the patrol, Lieutenant Bar
low, for losing his head and attacking
young girl in her own home.
II will hear from Barlow" said
Hamilton after listening attentively to
the story. But take this girl and con
fine her. Show her no favors. 1 hold
you responsible for her until tomorrow
morning. You can retire"
There was no room for discussion
Farnsworth saluted and turned tc
Alice.
"Come with me-" he gently said.
Hamilton looked after them as they
went out of his room, curious smile
playing around his firmly set lips.
"She's the most beautiful vixen that
1 ever saw he thought. 'She doesn't
look to be French girl either; decided
ly English" He shrugged his shoul
ders, then laughed dryly. Earns
worths as crazy as can be, the beggar
in love with her so deep that he cant
see out. BY Jove, she is a beauty
Never saw such eyes. And plucky tc
beat the deuce. I'll bet my head Bar
low ii be daft about her nextv'
Still, Notwithstanding the lightness
of his inward comments, Hamilton re
garded the incident as rather serious
lie knew that the French inhabitants
were secretly his bitter enemies, yet
probably willing, If he would humoI
their peculiar social, domestic and com
mercial prejudices, to refrain from ac
tive hostilities, and even to aid him in
furnishing his garrison with large
amount of needed supplies. The dan
ger just now was twofold-his Indian
allies were deserting him, and fotilla
loaded with provisions and ammuni
fion from Dqtroit hnd failed fo arrive