Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-07
CHAPTER Continued

The girl gathered the IOIds Oh he'
bright robe close to her neck and hur.
ried to the door.
Vetal ran from the wall, lie
screamed at her. lie spoke in the
pstois Of their race.
"Do not open that door
The man without was beating at
the planks still.
you are my girl. command YOU,
You are to obey
With her hands on the bar. she
turned on him. For tense instant
she looked at him.
NO. the Good Mother commands --
aud this is the door Of an Acadian
home"
She threw the bar out Of the slot
stop her" yelped Roi. God, man,
can't you handle your own daughter
No, Beaulleu could not. This rebel
lion of his womankind cowed him.
The traditions of Acadia had been
overthrown. Here was a girl back
from st. Basil with something new,
compelling, dominating in her soul He
stood before her. his jaw dropping, his
hairy fists closing and unclosing and
she swung the door wide.
A young man stood there. His cap
bore the eagle OF the United States
customs service. His bronzed face was
gray under the tan; the sweat Of
agony dripped from his forehead. His
sleeve was stripped up over a brawny
forearm; a handkerchief was knotted
around the elbow. Blood was dripping
from his fnger.tips.
81 am hurt" he gasped. Il am
Then he stopped.
Even Beaulieu, in the tumult of his
own emotions, could see that utter,
paralyzing astonishment had over
whelmed this visitor He who had
been pale flushed. He stepped back.
He stammered broken words of apol.
ogy.
Her cheeks were flaming. Her voice
trembled when she spoke to him, but
the dauntlessness OF this girl who had
just conquered her own father sup
ported her spirit.
Come in. Acadians do not turn
folks in trouble away from the door"
He came in, bending his head under
the Intel. for he was tall above the
average of men.
Beaulieu backed away from the door,
III 70 ha
lother with squirrel-like jerks of his
head. He saw, but he did not under
stand. His keen gaze detected what
he could not fathom.
Roi's clutch closed about Vetars
arm.
That's the fellow--that's the dog
Beaulieu. It's that Aldrich! He has
been her beau Look at the two OF
'em!"
The man and the girl in the middle
OF the room did not turn from eacf
other; did not hear the hoarse whis
per.
II hadn't believed all I've heard,
Missed Roi. But they're giving /
away by their actions. There's onl!
one reason why a girl looks at a fel
low that way"
He choked, angry jealousy in hi
lowering eyes. Beaulieu famed will
sudden passion at this prompting.
You come away" he ragged, ad
sancing on the couple, Back int
YOUR room, YOU girl"
She lifted her head, her eyes still
held by those OF the young officer. Th
hues on her cheeks had deepened.
This is my home, sir" she told him
bravely. &.
IT didn't KNOW didn't dream" h
stammered.
This is my father. My name
Evangeline Beaulieu.' Her vote
trembled but her head was raise
proudly.
Father. you must help this maj
He is hurt
You have come in my place, an
] have not ask you" screamed Bea'
lieu. He stood on his tiptoes an
shook his fist.
'I have asked him. I am mistre'
of this house so long as remain
II. Will you bind up his woun
father?"
mo; l do nothing for a Yank'
hound" he shouted, adding a wickt
oath.
II ask your pardon, sir Her Iii
were white and quivering. sit thel
and l will do what poor service
can"
She pointed to a long bench at oil
side of the room. He staggered
il. Weakness was overcoming hi
She ran to help him, when she not
his plight. He fell upon the benz
and leaned his head against the wai
"I am sorry" he murmured.
would go away IL ! could. But I a
suffering"
She hurried TO another part OF Il
room where water triclxled from a Il
into a barrel She dipped a basin
the water and came to the officer wi
a towel snatched. from a hook.
vetaI was striding to and fro best
his truck. He raised his hands
she passed him. threatening her; b
shs did not hesitate. She did not ev
slance at him. Her obliviousne
hsr disregard. of his presence and p'
xans commands intimidated him mo
n &11,efuslly than retort More tn
- rssllssa tbat hs was in I
S.aIs. q woman