The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-08
Alice Of Old Vincennes
By Maurice Thompson
COPYRIGHT BY ALICE THoMPsoN

Z c E L e E Fl o NJ o n
taigne?" he demanded with blunt
brevity amounting to something like
gruffness.
Ssh, Monsieur, not too loud" she
softly protested, looking around to
see that neither Madame Roussillon
nor Jean had followed them into the
main room. 1T is not permitted that
I read that old book; but they do not
hide it from me, because they think
1 can't make out its dreadful spell
ing"
She smiled so that her cheeks drew
their dimples deep into the delicately
tinted pink-and- brown, where wind
and sun and wholesome exercise had
set the seal Of absolute health, and
took from a niche in the logs of the
wall a stained and dog-eared volume
He looked, and 1t was. indeed. the old
saint and sinner, Montague.
Involuntarily he ran his eyes over
the girl from head to foot. comparing
her show of knowledge with the out
ward badges of abject rusticity, and
even wildness. with which she was
covered.
We'll" he said, you are mys-
terry"
You think it surprising that I can
read a book, Frankly I can't under
stand half of this one. I read it be
Cause-gel just because they want me
to read about nothing but sickly old
saints and woe-begone penitents.
like something lively. What do care
for all that undressing religious
stuff"
"NIontagne is decidedly lively in
spots" Beverley remarked I
shouldn't think a girl shouldn't
think you'd particularly enjoy. his
humors."
L don't care for the book at all"
she said. flushing quickly, only I
seem to learn about the world from It.
Sometimes il seems as If it lifted me
up high above all this wild. lonely and
uresome country, so that can see
far OFF where things are different and
beautiful II is the same with the
novels; and they don't permit me to
read them either; but all the same I
do"
When Beverley. taking his leave.
passed through the gate at Roussilon
place. he met Rene De Ronviue going
in. It was a notable coincidence that
each young man felt something
troublesome rise in his throat rs he
looked into the others eyes.
a week of dreamy autumn weather
came on. during which Beverly man
aged to be with Alice a great deal.
mostly sitting on the Roussillon gall
lery. where the fading vine leaves
made fairy whispering. and where the
tempered breeze blew deIciously cool
from over the distant multi-colored
woods. The men Of Fincennes We're
gathering their Indian corn early to
dry It on the cob for grating into win.
ter neal Many women made wine
from the native grapes and from the
sweeter and rich fruit OF imported
vines. Madame Roussilion and Alice
stained their hands a deep purple dur
ing the dressing season. and Beverley
found himself engaged in helping
them handle the juicy crop while
around the overlooking carthen pots
A44r 0AAA DSEef IL 20 cAlt-A ilbl 4AtIA1
hummed with an incessant, jarring
mOnOtony.
Jean, the hunckback. gathered
ample stores Of hickory nuts, waInuts.
hazelnuts and pin-oak acorns. In
deed, the whole population OF the vii
Iage made a great squirt OF Industry
Just before the falling Of winter; and
presently, when every preparation had
been completed for the dreaded cold
season. ". .Fsoussillon carried out his
Iong-cherished plan, and gave a great
party at the river house. After the
most successful trading experience Of
all his life he felt irrepressibly lib
eral.
Let's have one more roaring good
time" he said, that's what life is
for"