Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-02-04
CHAPTER XII.

y
gard his parole
lie would bee quite Justified I'm do.
Ing H. You know that very we'll" said
Helm, with laugh And he's just the
man To undertake what IL impossible
or course he'll get scalpcd for his
trouble. and that will cost you some
thing. I'm happy to say"
1t rs a matter OF small Importance"
Hamilton replied. but I'll wager you
the next teddy that he's not at the
present moment half mile from this
spot He may Dee fool readily
grant that hc ls-but even fool II not
going 10 set out alone In this kind of
weather To 20 20 where your rebel
friends are probably toasting their
shins 10y the firc OF green logs and half
starving over yondrr on the Mlssis.
slppl"
Joking aside. you are doubtless
right Beverley Il hot headed. aud n
hc could he'd gct even with you quick
enough. but he hasn't left Vincenncs.
= | think. Miss RoussulOn would keep
him here II the place were on Gre"
Hamilton laughed dryly lie had
thought just what Helm was saying
Bcvcrlcy's attention 10 Alice had not
escaped his notice
Speaking of that girl" lac remarked
after a moments silence. what am |
60 do with herr There's no place TO
keep her. and Furnsworth Insists that
she wasn't to blame lie chuckled
again and added.
It's true as gospel He's In love
with her too Seems 10 be glad she
shot him. Says he's ashamed Of him
self Tor ever suspccfing her OF any
thing but being a genuine angel Why.
he's got as labhy as a rabbit and mum
hlcs like fool
Same as you or | az his age" said
Helm. taking chow OF tobacco. "Shc
Is pretty thing. Beverley doesn't
know his foot from his shoulder blade
when she's anywhere near him. Boys
arr boys I'm sort OF boy myself"
II she'd give up that flag Ia bet her
20" said Hamilton. Il hate Ia conflne
her. II looks brutal and makes me feel
like n tyrant"
Have you evrr happened 60 notice
wv Wv tNAAF AhhA hHhh'AA AAhAAhNtaAs
that Alice Roussillon and Father Berct
ere not all the French in Vinccnncs|
what do you mean
Il mean that don't FOR moment
believe thnt either the gtri or the priest
knows n thing about whrrc that hag is
They are both as truthful and honor
able as people ever get 10 h.. I know
them Somebody else sot that flag
from under the priests fioor. You may
depend upon thai II Miss Roussillon
knew whore it is she'd say so and then
dare YOU to make her tell where it's
hidden"
"Oh the whole town is rotten with
treason That's very clear There's
not loyal soul In II outside Of my
forces"
Thank you for not including mo
among the loynlists"
"Humph, l spoke OF these French
people They pretend 10 bc true. hut
believe they are all traitors"
You can manage them N you try. A
little Jolly kindness goes long way
with 'cm. | had no trouble while
held the town"
Hamilton bit his LIP and was silent
Helm was comparatively good tom
pcrcd. nnd his popularity was irrcsist-
lblc while he was yet speaking n
guard came M. followed by Jean, the
hunchhack, and. saluting. said 20 Ham
llton.
"Thc lad wants TO see the young lady,
sir"
Hamilton gazcd quizzically at Jean,
who planted himself IN his hRbitual
attitude before him and stared up into
his face with the grotcsquc expression
which seems 10 be characteristic of
bunchbacks and unfledged blrls-thc
A,Ok OF an embodied and hideous joke.
"Well. sir WHAT VIII you haveT' the
governor demanded.
Il want TO see Alice. II you please"
what for?-
81 want to give her book 20 read
"Ah, indeed. Where IN IL? Let me
see H."
Jean took from the breast OF his loose
jerkin n small volume, dog cared and
widowed. and handed II 10 Hamilton.
Meantime he stood first on one foot,
then on the other, gnawing his thumb
nail and blinking rapidly
"Well. Helm, Just look here"
"WhatT
Haven't you ever read itY'
Read whatf"
This novel"
Never read n novel in my life; never
expect to-"
Hamilton laughed freely at Helms
expense, then turned 10 Jean and gave
him back the book.
1t would have been quite military
had he taken the pncnntion 20 examine
1fween the pages for something hid
lkn there, but he did not.
"Go give II TO her" he said, "and tell
ier send by compliments. with great
Almiration of her taste in literature
H. motioncd the soldier TO show Jean
I'd Alice. ITS n French story" he
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