The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-18
Alice of Old Vincennes
By Maurice Thompson
coPYRIGHT 1908 BY ALICE LEE THOMPSON
L E E TIL MP S N

said:
We will so to my office. 1 see that
you have some important communal
cation to make. There are too many
ears here"
OF a sudden she felt like running
home. Somehow the situation broke
upon her with a most embarrassing
effect. She did not take Clark's arm,
and she began to tremble. He APP
peared unconscious of this. and prob
ably was. for his mind had a fine
tangIe of great schemes in it just
then; but he turned toward his office,
and bidding her follow him, walked
away in that direction.
She was helpless. Not the slightest
trace of her usual brilliant self-asser-
ton was at her command. Saving
the squad Of men saving and hacking,
digging and hammering, the fort ap-
peared as deserted as her mind. She
stood gazing after Clark. He did not
look back, but strobe right on. If she
would speak with him, she must fol
low. 1t was a surprise to her. for
heretofore she had always had her
own way. even if she found it neces-
Beverley? Where was the garrison?
Colonel Clark did not seem to be at all
concerned about the approach Of the
British-and vet those repairs-per-
haps he was making ready for a des-
perate resistance, She did not move
until he reached the door Of his office
where he stopped and stepped aside. as
If TO let her pass I'm first: he even lifted
his hat. then looked a trifle surprised
when he saw that she was not near
him. frowned slightly, changed the
froxn to a smile and said, lifting his
voice so that she felt a certain i'm
perative meaning in II:
Did I walk too fast for you? beg
your pardon. Mademoiselle."
He stood waiting for her, rs father
waits for a tagging, wilful child.
Come. please" he added, IF you
have something 10 say to me; my time
Just now is precious-I have a great
deal to do"
She was not Of a nature 10 retreat
under fire, and yet the panic in her
breast came very near mastering her
will. Clark saw a look in her face
which made him speak again:
'I assure you. Mademoiselle. that
you need not feel embarrassed. You
can rely upon me To-"
She made a gesture that interrupted
him: at the same time she almost ran
toward him. gathering in breath, "a
one does who is about to force out a
desperately resisting and riotOus
thought. The strong. grave man look
ed at her with a fun sense Of her fas-
cination. and at the same time he felt
a vague wish to get away from her "a
If she were about 10 cast unwelCome
responsibility upon him.
Where IS Lieutenant Beverly"
she demanded. now close to Clark, face
10 face. and gazing straight into his
eyes. Il want to see him" Her tone
suggested intense excitement. She
was trembling visibly.
Clark's face changed it's expression.
He suddenly recalled to mind Alice's
rapturous public greeting Of Beverly
on the day Of the surrender. He was
a cavalier, and It did not agree with
his sense Of high propriety for girls
to kiss their lovers out IN the open air
before a gazing army. True enough,
he himself had been hoodwinked BY
Alice's beauty and holiness IN the
matter OF Long Hair. He confessed
this 10 himself mentally, which may
have strengthed his present disap-
prevail Of her personal inquiry about
Beverly. At all events ne thought she
ought not to be coming into the stock
ade on such an errand.
Lieutenant Beverley IS absent act.
ing under my orders" he said. with
perfect respectfulness, yet in a tone
suggesting military fnality He meant
70 set an indefinite yet effective rebuke
in his words.
Absent" she echoed. Gone? You
sent him away to be killed. You had
no risht-you-"
Miss Roussillon," said Clark, be
coming almost stern, you had better
go home and stay there; young girls
oughtn't TO run around hunting men
in places like this"
His blunt severity Of speech was &C
companied by a slight frown and
gesture Of impatience.
Alice's face blazed red to tha roots
Of her sunny hair: the color ebbed,
giving place TO j pallor like death. She
began to tremble, and her lips quiv.
cred pitifully, but she braced herself
and tried to force back the choking
sensation IN her throat.
You must not misconstrue my
words" Clark quickly added; Il sim
! ply mean that men will not rightly
l understand you. They will form i'm
/ pressions very harmful to you. Even
I Lieutenant Beverley might not see
/ you in the right light"
"What-what do you mean?" she
: gasped. shrinking from him, burning
/ spot reappearing under the dimpled
/ skin Of each cheek.
Pray. Miss, do not get excited.
| There is nothing to make you cry"
He saw tears shining in her eyes.
Beverley is not in the slightest dan