Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-26

"lOu snOweu something OF the same
sort to me, once upon time, my son."
"Yes, | did, Father Beret, and | got
a load of slugs in my shoulder for it
from that brave girls pistol. She
saved your life. Now l ask you to
help me save hers, or If not her life
what is infinitely more, her honor"
Her honor,r' cried Father Beret,
leaping to his feet so suddenly and
with such energy that the cabin shook
from base to roof. What do you say,
| Captain Farnsworth? What do you
meanV
The old man was transformed. His
face was terrible to see, with its mar
row, burning eyes deep under the
shaggy brows, its dark veins writhing
snakelike Oh the temples and forehead,
the projected mouth ana chin, the hard
lines of the jaws, the iron gray CLEAN
from all the features-he looked like an
aged tiger stiffened for spring.
Farnsworth was made of right sol
dierly stuff, but he felt a distinct
shiver fit along his back. His past
life had not lacked thrilling adventures
and strangely varied experiences with
desperate men. Usually he met sudden
emergencies rather calmly, sometimes
with phlegmatic Indifference. This
passionate outburst on the priests
part, however, surprised him and awed
him. while it stirred his heart with q
profound sympathy unlike anything he
had ever felt before.
Father Bcret mastered himself III
moment and, passing his hand over his
face, AS if to brush away the excite
mrnt. sat down again on his stool. He
appeared To collapse inwardiy.
You must excuse the weakness of
an old man. my SON. he said, in
voice hoarse and shaking. But tell
me what is going To be done with
| Alice. Your wor,lS-what you said
did not understand
He rubbed his forehead slowly, as
one who has difficulty in trying to col
lect his thoughts.
81 do not know what Governor Ham
| lton means TO do, Father Beret. Ii
| will be something deviliSh, however,
something that must not happen said
tFarnsworth.
Father Beret. like most men of strong
feeling who have been subjected to
long years of trial. hardship, multi
tudlnous dangers and all sorts Of temp
tation, and who have learned the les
sons of self control, had an iron will.
and also an abiding diStrust OF weak
men. He saw Farnsworths sincerity.
but he had no faith in his constancy.
although satisfied that while resent
ment of Hamilton's inpclousness
lasted he would doubtless remain firm
In his purpose TO aid Alice.
He listened in silence to Farms
worth's story. When 1t came 10 an
end he began to offer some but half
relevant suggestions in the form OF
indirect cross questions, by means OF
which he gradually drew out minut"
description of Alice's prison, tie best
way to reach it, the nature of its door
fastenings, where the key was kept.
and everything, indeed, likely to be
helpful To one contemplating jail de-
livery. Farnsworth was inwardly de-
lighted. He felt Father Berets cum
ming approach TO the central object and
his crafty method of gathering details
The shades of evening thickened in
the stuffy cabin room while the con
versation went on. Father Beret pres
emily lifted a puncheon in one corner
of the floor and got out large bottle,
which bore a midewcd and faded
French label, and with it a small iron
cup. There was just light enough left
TO show brownish sparkle when,
after popping out the cork, he poured
draft in the fresh cup and in his
own.
1--WE may think more clearly, my son
II we taste this old liquor. have kept
II long while TO offer upon Il proper
occasion. The occasion Is here.
A ravishing bouquet quickly imbued
the air 1t was itself an intoXicatlon.
The brothers of 81. Martin distilled
this liquor" Father Bcrct added,
handing the cup to Farnsworth. mot
for common social drinking. my son.
but for times when man needs ex-
traordinary stimulation. 1t Is said to
be surprisingly good because ST, Mar
tin blessed the vine
The doughty captain felt sudden
and mprriouS thirst seize his throat
The liquor Hooded his veins before his
lips touched the cup. lie had been an
staining lately: now his bescit!ng ap-
petite rushed upon him. AT on" gulp
he took in the fiery yet smooth ana
captivating draft. Nor did he notice
that Father Bnrct, instead Of joining
him in the potation, merely lifted his
cup and set ii down again. smacking
his linS with OnSio