The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-02

"HE ROOM in which Alice was
now imprisoned formed part Of

"HE ROOM in which Alice was
now imprisoned formed part Of
- the upper story of a building
erected by Hamilton IN one Of the four
angles Of the stockade. II had no
windows and but two oblong port.
holes made TO accommodate a small
swivel. which stood darkiy scowling
near the middle Of the floor. From
one Of these apertures Alice could SEQ
the struggling roofs and fences of the
dreary little town. while from the other
a long reach Of watery prairie, almost
a. lake, lay under view with the roll
ing, muddy Wabash cleaning beyond.
There seemed 10 be no activity Of gar
rison or townspeople. Few sounds
broke the silence Of which the cheer
less prison room seemed to be the cen
ter.
Alice felt all her courage and cheer
fulness leaving her. She was alone
in tho midst Of enemies. No father or
mother, no friend-a young girl at the
mercy Of soldiers, who could not be
expected to regard her with any sym
pathy beyond that which IS accom-
panied with repulstve leers and hints.
lessness became moro agonizlng.
Farnsworth. It Is true. did all he could
to relieve the strain Of her situation;
but Hamilton had an eye upon what
passed and soon interfered. He ad-
ministered a bitter reprimand, under
which his subordinate wr1thed In
speechless anger and resentment.
Finally. Captain Farnsworth," he
said in conclusion, you viii distinct
ly understand that this girl is my
prisoner, not yours; that 1, not you,
will direct how she is to be held and
treated. and that hereafter I will sur
fer no interference on our part.
hope you fully understand me. sir,
and will govern yourself accordingly"
Smarting, or rather smothering, I'M
der the outrageous insult of these re-
marks, FarnswOrth at first determined
to fling his resignation at the Gov
errors feet and then do whatever des-
perate thing seemed most to his mood.
But a soldiers training is apt to call
a halt before the worst befalls in such
a case. Moreover, in the present
temptation, Farnsworth had a special
check and hindrance. He had had
conference with Father Beret. in
which the good priest had played the
part Of wisdom in slippers, and OF
gentIeness more dovelike than the
doves. A very subtle impression, H.
Illuminated with the hope that withers
hope" had come of that interview.
and now Farnsworth felt its restraint.
He therefore saluted Hamilton formal
" and walked away
Father Beret's paternal love for
Alice-we cannot characterize It moro
nicely than to call It paternal-was
his justification for a certain mild sort
Of corruption insinuated by him into
the heart of Farnsworth. He was a
crafty priest, but his craft was always
used for q good end. Unquestionably
Jesutttc was his mode OF circumvent-
ing the young mans military scruples
by Offering him a puff of fair weather
with which to sail toward what ap- |
peared to be the short of delight. He |
saw at a glance that Farnsworth's |
love for Alice was a consuming pas |
sion in a very ardent yet decidedly |
weak heart. Here was the worldly |
lever with which Father Beret hoped |
to rae Alice's prison and free her
from the terrible doom with which she |
was threatened.
The first interview was at Father /
Beret's cabin, to which, as will be |
remembered. the priest and Farms
worth went after their meeting in the
street. It actually came to nothing.
save an indirect understanding but
half suggested by Father Beret and
never openly sanctioned by Captain
F'arnsworth. The talk was insinuatins
on the part of the former. while the
latter slipped evasively from every
proposition as if not able to consider
1t on account Of a curious obtuseness
OF perception. Still, when they SEN
arated they shook hands and ex.
changed a searching look perfectly
satisfactory to both.
The memory of that interview
with the priest was in F'arnsworth's
mind when. boiling with rage, he left
Hanklton's presence and went forth
into the chill February aid. He