Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-02-17

now imprisoned FORMED part
of the upper story of a build
ing erected by Hamilton in
one of the four angles Of the stockade.
It had no windows and but two oblong
portfolios made to accommodate Il small
swivel which stood darkly scowling
near the middle Of the floor. Day after
day her loneliness and helplessness be-
came more agonizing. Farnsworth, it
is true, did all he could to relieve the
strain Of her situation, but Hamilton
had an eye upon what passed and soon
1nterfered. He administered a bitter
reprimand, under which his subordi-
nate writhed in speeches. anger and
resentment.
FINALLY, Captain Farnsworth," he
said in conclusion. you will distinctly
understand that this girl is my prison
er, not yours; that l, not you, will d.
rect how she is to be held and treated,
and that hereafter l will suffer no in
reference on your part. l hope you
fully understand me, sir, and will gov
ern yourself accordingly"
Smarting, Or rather, smothering. un-
der the outrageous insult of these re-
marks, Farnsworth at first determined
to fling his resignation at the govern
0r's feet and then do whatever desper-
ate thing seemed most to his mood. But
a soldiers training is apt to call halt
before the worst befalls in such case.
Moreover. in the present temptation
Farnsworth had a special check and
hindrance He had had a conference
with Father Beret. in which the good
priest had played the part Of wisdom
in slippers and Of gentleness more
dovelike than the doves. a very subtle
impression, Illuminated with the hope
that withers hope" had come Of that
interview. and now Farnsworth felt its
restraint. He therefore saluted Hamil-
ton formally and walked away.
Father Beret's paternal love for Al
lce-we cannot characte it more
nicely than to call it paternal-was his
justification for a certain mild sort Of
corruption insinuated by him into the
heart Of Farnsworth. He was crafty
priest, but his craft was always used
for good end UnquesdonablyJ esuitc
was his mode Of circumventing the
young mans military scruples by Of
fering him puff Of fair weather with
which to sail toward what appeared to
be the shore of delight. He saw at a
glance that Farnsworths love for Alice
was a consuming passion in a very
ardent yet decidedly weak heart Here
was the worldly lever with which Fa-
Their Beret hoped to raze Alice's prison
and free her from the terrible doom
with which she was threatened.
The first interview was s. Father
Beret's cabin, to which, as Wal be re-
went after their meeting in the street.
It actually came to nothing, save an
indirect understanding but half sug-
gested by Father Beret and never open
" sanctioned by Captain Farnsworth.
The talk was insinuating on the part
of the former, while the latter slipped
evasively from every proposition, as if
not able to consider it on account Of a
curious obtuseness Of perception. Still,
when they separated they shook hands
and exchanged searching look per
fectly satisfactory to both.
The memory OF that interview with
the priest was in Farnsworth's mind
when, boiling with rage. he left Ham
ilton's presence and went forth into
the chill February air. He passed out
through the postern and along the
sodden and queachy edge of the prairie,
involuntarily making his way to
Father Beret's cabin. His indignation
was so great that he trembled from
head to foot at every step. The door
of the place was open and Father
Beret was eating a frugal meal of
scenes and sour wine (of his own make,
he said), which he Hospitality begged to
share with his visitor. A fire smol-
dered on the hearth, and a fat stone
: showed, by the grease smoking over it's
hot surface, where the cakes had been
baked.
T.. "Come in. my son." said the priest,
= "and try the fare Of poor old man.
It is plain, very plain, but good" he
smacked his lips sincerely and fingered
Z another scone. Take some, take
some.''
Farnsworth was not tempted. The
acid bouquet of the wine filed the
room with q smack of vinegar, and
y the smoke from rank scorching fat and
wheat meal did not suggest an agreea.
BILE feast.
well, well, If you are not hungry,
1 my son, sit down on the stool there
q and tell me the news"
Farnsworth took the low seat with.
out word, letting his eyes wander
over the walls. Alice's rapier. the
4 mate to that now worn by Hamilton
hung in its curiously engraved scab.
bard near one corner. The sight Of II
indamed Farnsworth. A.: = u. ~
sss ITS ~ outrage" he broke forth