Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-04-21

Laughing, head helu nlSn, sne pl-
rouetted across the floor, finishing
song and dance together, and, with
flourish OF the tambourine, she stood
gazing in hooking merriment upon the
three men.
A strange, wild, dark woman she
was, with full, insolent red lips, great
black eyes and figure graceful and
sinuoIs and 1.-THE. \ colored handker-
chief was wound turoanwise around
the loose masses Of her black hair.
She wore a skirt of vivid red, and her
rounded arms were bare to the elbow.
Large gold ear ornaments she had, and
many rings upon her fingers. and her
shoes were dust laden.
At De Valette she looked and at the
priest. But upon Raoul she looked
longer. He turned little. She
laughed.
"Who are your demanded De Va
lette coldly.
"NIen call me L'Acadienne-and 9th
er things" she said. She looked again
at Raoul. and again she laughed. She
went on: "Eh, then. messieurs. a lit
tie silver to carry on the war? Chart
ty for the wounded, eh?"
ONara asked quickly:
"What are you doing here, my girl?'
"NIe?" she asked. I'm n wanderer,
M'sieur Liable. Today | find your vii
lage and some soldiers. | dance for
them. Shall dance foryou, messieurs y
Her dark eyes flew to Raoul. She
said. with hooking laugh: Here is
one who would like it, No? His face
is so kind" She turned to him de
liberately. "Shall l dance for you.
m'sieur:"
He answered quickly:
"No!"
Came from outside n hail. De Va
lette turned.
"Do they summon me-" he demand
ed. He started swiftly toward the
door. But ere he could reach it there
had walked into the room tall man of
bone and blood and sinew. clad in the
dress of n woodsman. \ powderhorn
was slung over his shoulder, and he
carried in his hand Il long barreled
rifle. At his heels there followed a
shrinking youth of twenty-a youth
with great shock Of straw colored
hair and scared eyes. who carried
awkwardly a gun that reached from
feet to neck.
The first Of the two with long
strides advanced TO the center OF the
room surveying coolly those therein.
I'm Wolff he cried His voice
the loose Independent swagger Of
those who fear not and are feared.
I'm Wolf" he repeated Il want re-
cruits-volunteers TO serve in General
Jacksons army Who'll strike one
blow for liberty? Who'll join Volts
sharpshooters? III promise you fight
ing enough within tTenty-four hours.
De Valette turned upon him coldly,
haughtily.
Sooner, sir" he said grimly, 'if
had any dogs left In the kennels OF
Valette."
80, no" cried Wolf. unpertur3ed.
"Frenchies, are you? No one here to
come and help us lick the British?"
He indicated the shrinking youth at
his heels Here's a young recruit
that | wanted TO show some patriot
ism to. But e that's the way it is
lie turned to his follower bout
face, Crawleyw he commanded
shoulder arms! Can't force a man to
volunteer. No patriots here. So off
with you Forward March,
AS they passed out the door he
turned To De Valette he said
Don't RI" TIE American eagle
French. It's got a sting in IT, tail"
De Valette watched them go. and
when they bad passed beyond his vi
sion he turned to L'Acadienne.
"All of you" he said coldly. There's
nothing for you here
The woman tossed her head. Her
lips curved in mocking smile. Across
the room she went and even TO the
doorway Yet she did not go through.
De Valette. eyes from her. thinking
she had gone, turned to Raoul and the
priest.
"Faugh. Canaillev he exclaimed in
disgust. LET us join my sister, gen.
tlemen."
He left the room. Father O'Mara
followed. But Raoul de Valette re-
NAMED behind.
He turned to face the woman in the
doorway. The expression of mockery
the light, scornful mirth-had gone
from her face now. She looked anx-
ious, almost haggard. He rounded on
her angrily.
you come here?" he cried.
Again she was smiling-smiling
mockingly. She said:
"Eh, SOL You are not hard to follow,
Msieur Raoul de Valette. You ride
your bay horse with the one white
foot all the way from your plantation.
When / meet people l ask, You have
seen n bay horse with one white foot