The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-05


and stood leering at her for some
seconds, then added:
Little friend get killed. scalped.
maybe"
The indescribale nobility Of animal
largeness, symmetry and strength
showed in his form and attitude, but
the expression of his countenance
was absolutely repulsive-cold, hard,
beastly.
He did not speak again, but turned
quickly, and STOPPING low, disappeb bred
like a great brownish red serpent in
the high grass. which scarcely stirred
as he moved through it.
Somehow that day made itself
strangely memorable to Alice. She
had been accustomed to stirring
scenes and sudden changes of con-
ditions; but this was the first time
that she had ever joined actively in
a public movement of Importance.
Then, too, Long Hairs picturesque
and rudely dramatic temperance
affected her imagination with an in
desCribable force. Moreover, the
pathetic situation in the love affair
between Rene and Adrienne had taken
hold of her conscience with a dis
turbing grip. But the shadowy sense
Of impending events, Of which she
could form no idea. was behind it
all. She had not heard of Brandy
wine. or Bunker Hill. or Lexington,
or Concord; but something like a
watt of their significance had blown
through her mind. A great change
was coming into her idyllic life She
was indistinctly aware of it, as we
sometimes are Of an approaching
storm. while yet the sky is sweetly
blue and serene. When she reached
home the house was full Of people to
whom N. Roussillon, in the gayest of
moods, was dispensing wine and
brandy.
''Vive Zhorzh Vasintonr' shouted
Oncle Jazon as soon as he saw her.
And then they all talked at once,
saying flattering things about her.
Madame Roussillon tried to scold as
usual; but the lively chattering of the
guests drowned her voice.
I suppose the American com
mander viii send a garrison here"
some one said to Father Gibault, and
repair the fort"
Probably" the priest replied, lin
a very few weeks. Meantime we viii
garrison it ourselves"
And we viii have n. Roussillon
for commander" spoke up Rene de
RonvIle. who was standing by.
"A good suggestion" assented
Father Gibault; "Iet US organize at
once"
Immediately the word was passed
that there would be a meeting at the
fort that evening for the purpose Of
choosing a garrison and a commander.
Everybody went promptly at the hour
set. n. ROussillon was elected Cap
tain b. reclamation, with Rene de
Ronville as his Lieutenant 1t was
observed that Oucle Jazon had re
sumed his dignity. and that he looked
into his cap several times without
speaking.
Meantime certain citizens, who had
been in close relations with Governor
Abbott during his stay, quietly
slipped out of town, manned a batteau
and went up the river, probably to
Ouiatenon first and then to Detroit.
Doubtless they suspected THAI things
might soon grow too warm for their
comfort
II was thus that vfncennes and TT.
Sackville first acknowledged the Amer
lean Government and holsted the flag
which, as long as It foated over the
blockhouse, was lightly and lovingly
called by every one Ia banniere d'Alice
RoUssillon.
Father Gibault returned to Fl.
kaskaskia and q little later Captain
Leonard Helm, a jovial man. but past
the prime Of life, arrived at Vincennes
with q commission from Colonel Clark
authorizing him to supersede N. Rous-
siilon as commander. and to act as
Indian agent for the American Gov
eminent in the Department Of the
Wabash. He was welcomed by the
villagers, and at once made himself
very pleasing to them by adapting
himself to their ways and entering
heartily into their social activities.
NJ. Roussillon was absent when
/ Captain Helm and his party came.
Rene de RonviIle, nominauy in com
mand Of the fort, but actually en-
/ Joying some excellent grouse shoot.
with Il bell-mouthed old fowIing
/ piece on a distant prairie, could not
| be present to deliver up the post:
and as there was no garrison Just
/ then visible, Helm took possession,
/ without any formalities.
Il think, Lieutenant, that you'd
I better, 1ouLr around f1,vorvgT, Tho XXI
/ lage and see if you can scare up this
/ Captain -his-name," said the
/ new commander to a stalwart young
officer who had come with him. Il
can't think Of these French names
without getting my brain in a twist.
/ Do you happen to recollect the Cap
| tain's name, Lieutenant"
Yes, sir; Gaspard Roussillon It
/ reads in Colonel Clark's order: hut I
am told that he's away on a trading
| tom" said the young man.
| you may be told anything by these
hair-tongued parlyvoos," Helm re-
marked. 1T won't hurt, anyway, to
/ ind out where he lives and make a
/ formal call, Just for appearance sake.
and to inquire about his health. I
wish you would try it, sir and let
/ me know the result"
The Lieutenant felt that this was
a peremptory order and turned about
| 10 obey promptly.
And I say, Beverley, come back
/ sober, if YOU possibly can" Helm
| added in his most genial tone. think
| ing 1t a great piece of humor to
suggest sobriety to a man whose