The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-10

IN Nlncennes. attended the river house
dance with Beverley. rejecting the invita-
RENE DE RONynLE. her ardent adnirer,
who was the finance of
ANDRIENNE BOURCIER.
= T was like an eagle dancing with
a Hnnet, or a giant with a fairy,
Z when the big lieutenant led out Ia
petite Adrienne. as everybody called
her. The honor Of Beverley's at
tention sat unappreciated on Adri-
enne's mind, for all her thoughts went
with her eyes toward Rene and Alice.
Nor was Beverley so absorbed in his
partners behalf that he ever for a
moment willingly lost sight of the
floating buff gown. the shining brown
hair and the beautiful face, which
formed, indeed, the center of attrac-
ton for all eyes.
Father Beret was present, sharing
heartily in the merriment Of his
flock. Voices greeted him on all
sides with intonations of tender re-
spect. The rudest man there was
loyal to the kind-hearted priest, and
would as soon have thought Of shoot
ing him as Of giving him any but
the most reverent attention. It is to
be noted, however, that their under
standing of reverence included great
freedom and levity not especially &c
clesiatical in its nature. Father Beret
understood the conditions around
him and had the genius to know
what not to hear. what not to see;
but he never failed when a good word
or a fatherly touch with his hand
seemed worth trying on a sheep that
appeared to be straying dangerously
far from the fold. Upon an occasion
like this dance at the river house, he
was no less the faithful priest be-
cause Of his genial sympathy with
the happiness OF the young people
who looked TO him for spiritual guild
ance.
1t was some time before Beverley
could again secure Alice for a dance,
and he found it annoying him afro
ciOusly TO see her smile sweetly on
some buckskin-clad IOut who looked
like an Indian and danced like a
Partisan. He did not greatly enjoy
most Of his partners; they could not
appeal to any side Of his nature just
then. Not that he at all times stood
too much on his aristocratic tradi-
tons. or lacked the viriIe traits com
mon to vigorous and worlilv-mtnded
men; but the contrast between Alice
and the other girls present was some
aow an absolute bar to a democratic
freedom Of the sort demanded by the
occasion. tie met Father Beret and
passed q few pleasant words with him.
They have honored your fag, my
son, I am glad to see. the priest said.
pointing with smile to where. in one
corner, the banner that bore Alice's
name was effectively draped.
Beverly had not noticed It before.
and when he presently got possession
Of Alice he asked her to tell him the
story Of how she planted It on the
fort, although he had heard it TO the
last detail from Father Beret Just
moment ago. They stood together
under its folds while she naively
sketched the scene for him. even down
TO her picturesqueIv disagreeable in
terview with Long-Hair. mention Of
whom led up to the story Of the Indi-
ans race with the stolen dame jeanne
g brandy under his arm on that me
@orable night, and the subsequent
&zlervices performed for him by Father
xteret and her. after she and Jean had
= und him in the mud beyond the
7%7ver.
1The dancing went on at a furious
Ice while they stood there. Now
I'd again a youth came to claim her.
lt she said she was tired and begged
FL rest awhile. smiling 81 yractously
kJon each one that his rebuff thrilled
'Siim as If It had been the most fiatter-
ing gift of tender partiality. while at
the same time he suspected that Il
was all for Beverly.
Helm in his most joviaI mood was
circulating freely among those who
formed the periphery Of the dancing
area: he even ventUred a few clumsy
capers in a cotiIlion with Nine Co
.dere for partner. She danced well;
.but he, as some one remarked. stun
foled al over himself
There was but one thing TO mar the
Evenings pleasure; some of the men
airank too much and grew boisterous.