Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-02-12
ALICE OF OLD :
VINCENNES
By MAURICE THOMPSON .
Copyright, 1900, by the .
BOWEN. MERRILL COMPANY :
By MAURICE THOMPSON

Hamilton saw and felt a change pass
over the spirit of the old priests move
ments. Instantly the sword lcaping
against his own seemed endowed with
subtle cunning and malignant trcach-
cry. Before this it had been difficult
enough to meet the fine play and hold
fairly even Now he was startled and
confused, but he rose to the emergency
with admirable will power and clever
ness.
Murderer of n poor orphan girl"
Father Beret added with Il hot concen-
trated accent death is too good for
you" Z
Hamilton felt nearer his grave than
ever before in all his wild experience
for somehow doom, shadowy and form
less, like the atmosphere of an awful
dream, enmistcd those words. but he
was no weakling to quit at the height
of desperate conflict. He was strong,
expert and game to the middle of his
heart
"I'll add traitor Jesuit to my list
of dead" he painted forth, rising again
to the EXTREMIST tension of his power.
AS he did this Father Beret settled
himself as you have seen mighty
horse do in the home stretch of a race.
Both men knew that the moment had
arrived for the final act in their i'm
promptu play. 1t was short, a duel
condensed and crowded into fifteen
seconds of time, and it was rapid be-
You'd the power of words to describe.
A bystander, had there been one could
not have seen what was finally done or
how it was DONE Father Beret's sword
seemed to be revolving-it was a halo
in front of Hamilton for n mere point
of time. The old priest seemed to
crouch and then make a quick motion
as If about to leap backward. A
| wrench and a snip, as of something
| violently jerked from fastening, We're
! followed by a semicircular fight Of
Hamilton's rapier over Father Beret's
head to stick in the ground ten feet
behind him. The duel was over, and
the whole terrible struggle had occu-
pied less than three minutes.
With his wrist strained and his fin
gers almost broken, Hamilton stumbled
forward and would have impaled him
self had not Father Beret turned the
point of his weapon aside as he low
cred it,
surrender or die"
That was Il strange order for priest
to make, but there could be no mistak-
ing its authority or the power behind
it. Hamilton regained his footing and
looked daZed. wheeling and putting
like porpoise, but he clearly under
stood what was demanded of him.
IF you call out, I'll run you
through" Father Beret added, seeing
him move his lips as if to shout foI
help.
The level rapier now REINFORCED the
words. Hamilton let the breath &C
noiselessly from his mouth and waved
his hand in token of enforced submis
sion.
"Well, what do you want me to do?'
he demanded, after a short pause
"You seem to have me at your mercy
What are your terms?"
Father Beret hesitated. 1t was {
question difficult to answer.
"Give me your word as a British
officer that you will never again tr,
to harm any person not an open, armed
enemy in this town."
Hamilton's gorge rose perversely
He erected himself with lofty reserv,
and folded his arms. The dignity of ;
lieutenant governor leaped into hin
and took control. Father Beret cor
rectly interpreted what he saw.
"My people have borne much" h
said, land the killing of that poor chill
2 there will be awfully avenged if bu
say the word Besides, l can turf
every Indian in this Wilderness agains
you in single day. You are indeed
at my mercy. and | will be merciful i
you will satisfy my demand"
a II am willing to give you my word.
: he presently said. And let me tel
4 you" he went on more rapidly, II di
D not shoot at her. She was behind you.
e "Your word as British otlicerT'N
Hamilton again stiffened and hes
> tated, but only for the briefest space
then said:
Eyes, my word as a British officer"
Father Beret waved his hand wit
E Impotence.
=, go, then, back to your place in tn
fort, and disturb my people no more
The soul OF this poor little girl wi
u haunt you forever. Go"
Hamilton stood little while gain
> at the face of Alice with the horribl
d usefulness of remorse. What woul
e he not have given to rub his eyes an
l. find it all a dream?
He turned away, a cloud scudde
e across the moon, here and yOnder
II the dim town cocks crowed with lon
some, desultory effect.
il Father Beret plucked up the rapiC
}, that he had wrenched from Hamilton
If hand. 1t suggested something.
Hold" he called out. Give me Il
scabbard of this sword"
Hamilton, who was striding vigo