The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-22
Alice Of Old Vincennes
By Maurice Thompson
coPYR1GHr. 1908 BY ALICE LEE THOMPSON

smiling as one who feels safe in his
authority and means to have his own
way with his victim. Naturally he
regarded Beverley's words as the
merest vaporings of a helpless and
exasperated young man. He saw very
clearly that love was having a hand
in the affair. and he chuckled in
wardly. thinking what a fool Beverley
was.
Il thought I ordered you to leave
this ROOM" ne said with an air and
tone of lofty superiority, and I GER
tainly mean TO be obeyed. Go. sir,
and if you attempt to escape, or in any
way break your parole, III have you
shot"
Il have already broken It. From this
moment I shall not regard It. You
have heard my statement I shall not
repeat 1t. Govern yourself according
~"
With these words Beverley turned
and strobe out of the house, quite
beside himself, his whole frame quiv-
ering.
Hamilton laughed derisively. then
looked at Helm and said:
Helm, I like you; I don't wish to be
Unkind to you; but positively you must
quit breaking in upon my affairs with
your ready-made advice. I've given
you and Lieutenant Beverley too
much latitude, perhaps. II that young
fool don't look sharp he'll get him
self into a beastly lot Of trouble.
You'd better give him a talk. He's in
a way to need 1t just now"
Il think so myself" said Helm, glad
to get back upon fair footing with the
irascible Governor. III wait until
he cools of somewhat. and then I can
manage him. Leave him to me-"
We'll. come. walk with me to see
what has really happened TO Farms
worth. He's probably not much hurt
and deserves what he's got. That
girl has turned his head. I think I
understand the whole affair. a little
love. a little wine, some foolishness,
and the wench shot him"
Helm genially ssesnted; but they
were delayed for some time by an
officer who came in to consult with
Hamilton on some pressing Indian af-
fairs. When they reached ROussillou
place they met Beverley coming out,
but he did not look at them. He was
scarcely aware Of them. \ little way
outside the gate. on going in, he had
picked up Alice's locket and broken
chain, which he mechanically put into
his pocket. It was all like a dream
10 him and yet he had Il clear pur-
pose. He was going away from Vim
cennes. or at least he would try. and
10 20 Il
back. It was so easy for an excited
young mind to plan great things and
20 expect success under apparently
impossible conditions. Beverley gave
Jean a note for Alice. it was this
that took him TO Roussillon place:
and no sooner fell the night than he
shouldered a gun furnished him by
Madame Godere. and guided by the
Woodsmau's fine craft. stole away
southwark thinking to swim the icy
Wabash some miles below, and then
strike across the plains OF Illinois TO
kaskas ska.
II was q desperate undertaking;
but iE those days desperate under
takings were rather the rule than the
exception. Moreover. love was the
leader and Beverley the blind follow
or. Nothing could daUnt him or turn
him back. until ne found an army 10
lead against Hamilton. It seems but
"a romantic burst OF indignation. as
we look back az It. hopelessIy foolish.
with no possible end but death in the
wilderness. ard Beverly, with his
superb physique, his knowledge Of the
wilderness and his indomitable self
reliance was by no means without his
fighting chance for success.