The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-13

least further light could be drawn. A
half-breed woman, it seemed, had been
her Indian foster-mother; a silent
grave, watchful guardian from whom
not hint of disclosure ever fell. She
was, moreover, a Christian woman,
who had received her conversion from
an English-speaking Protestant mis-
sionary. She prayed with Alice, thus
keeping in the child's mind a perfect
memory of the Lords prayer.
Well said Beverley at last, you
are more of a mystery to me, the
longer I know you"
Then I must grow every day more
distasteful to you"
NO, I love mystery"
He went away feeling Il new web
of interest binding him to this in
scrutable maiden whose life seemed to
him at once so full of idyllic happi-
ness and so enshrouded in tantahzing
doubt. At the first opportunity he
frankly questioned NJ ROussillOn. with
no helpful result. The big Frenchman
told the same meager story. The
woman was dying in the time of
great epidemic, which killed most of
sillon, but told him not d word about
her ancestry or previous life. That
was all.
A wise old man, when he finds him
self in a blind alley, no sooner touches
the terminal wall than he faces about
and goes back the way he came I'm
DER like circumstances a young man
must needs try TO batter the wall
down with his head. Beverley en-
deavored to break through the web
OF mystery by sheer force. It seemed
to him that a vigorous attempt could
not fail to succeed; but. like the fly
in the spiders lines, he became more
hOpelessly bound at every move he
made. Moreover, against his will he
was realizing that he could no longer
deceive himself about Alive. He loved
her, and the love was mastering him
body and soul. Such a confession
carries with 1t into an honest mas
Culine heart a sense Of contending re
sponsibilities. In Beverely's case the
clash was profoundly disturbing. And
now he cIutched the thought that
Alice was not q mere child Of the
woods. but a daughter of an old
family of cavaliers.
With coat buttoned close against
the driving wind. he strobe toward
the fort in one of those melodramatic
moods to which youth in all chimes
and times Is subject It was like
slap in the face when Captain Helm
met him at the stockade gate and
said:
Well, sir. you are good at hid
ing"
Hiding, what do you mean. Cap
tain Heinz he demanded. not in
the miIdest tone.
Il mean, sir. that I've been hunt
ing YOU for an hour and more, over
The whole of this damned town. The
English and Indians are upon us and
there's no time for fooHng. Where
are all the men,"
Beverley comprehended the situa-
ton in q second. Helms face was
congested with excitement. Some
scouts had come in with the news
that Governor Hamilton. at the head
of five or six hundred soldiers and
Indians, was only three or four miles
up the river.
Where are all the men?" Helm
repeated.
Buffalo hunting, most Of them"
said Beverley.
What in hell are they off hunt
ing bunaIoes for?" ragged the ex-
cited captain.
you might go TO hell and see.
Beverley suggested, and they both
laughed in sheer masculine contempt
Of a predicament too grave for any
thing but grim mirth.
What could they do? Even Oncle
Jazon and Rene de Ronville were off
with the hunters. Helm sent for NJ
Roussillon In the desperate hope that
he could suggest something; but he
lost his head and hustled off to hide
his money and valuables. Indeed the
French people all felt that. so far as
they were concerned, the chief thing
was TO save what they had. They we'll
knew that it mattered little which of
the two masters held over them
they must shift for themselves. In
their hearts they We're true to France
and America; but France and Amer
lea could not now protect them
against Hamilton; therefore It would
be Ike suicide to magnify patriotism
or any other sentiment Objectionable
advice and offered no resistance when
the new army approached.
My poor people are not disloyal to
your flag and your cause said good
Father Beret next morning to Captain
Helm, but they are powerless. Win
ter is upon us. What would you have
US do? This rickety fort is not avail
able for defense; the men are nearly
all far away on the plains. Isn't it the
part Of prudence and common sense
TO make the best Of a desperate situa-
ton? Should we resist, the British
and their savage allies would destroy
the town and commit outrages too
horrible to think about. In this case
diplomacy promises much more than
a hopeless fight against an over
whelming force"
IN fight en-" Helm ground out
between his teeth. If I have to do It
single-handed and alone! III fight
EN- till hell freezes over.
Father Beret smiled grimly. as if he.
too, would enjoy a lively skirmish on
the ice of Tophet, and said:
Il admire your courage, my son.
Fighting is perfectly proper upon
fair occasion. But think of the poor
women and children. These old eyes
Of mine have seen some terrible things
done by enraged savages. Men can
die fighting; but their poor wives and
daughters-ah, I have seen, I have