The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-02-23

AAA5 lAAO dAO1SSellu EOIudIc6S. But Tor
many weeks past Gaspard RoussiIlon
had been absent from home, looking
after his trading schemes with the
| Indians; and Pere Beret acting on the
| suggestion of the proverb about the
| absent cat and the playing mouse.
| had formed an alliance offensive and
| defensive with Nine. Roussillon, in
Which 1t was strictly stipulated that
| all novels and romances were to be
| forcibly taken and securely hidden
away from Mademoiselle Alice; which,
| to the best of Nine. Roussilon's abil-
| ity, had accordingly been done.
Now, while the wind strengthened
and the softly booming summer
shower came on apace. the heavy
cloud lifting as it advanced and show,
ing under it the dark gray sheet of
| the rain, Pere Beret and Alice sat
under the clapboard roof behind the
vines Of the veranda and discussed
what was generally uppermost in the
priests mind upon such occasions, the
good of Alice's immortal soul-a sub
| Ject not Accordingly interesting to her
at any time.
CID priest, this strange perversity of
the girl in the matter of religious
duty, as he saw It. True she had a
faithful guardian in Gaspard Rous-
sillon; but, much as he had done to
aid the church's work in general for
he was always vigorous and liberal,
he could not be looked upon as a very
good Catholic; and of course his in
fuence was not effective in the right
direction. But unen Pere Beret saw
nc reason why. in due time and with
patient work, aided by Nine. Roussil-
Ion and Notwithstanding Gaspard's
treachery, he might not safely lead
Alice, whom he loved as a dear child,
into the arms of the Holy Church. to
serve which faithfully. at all hazards
and IN all places, was his highest aim.
"Ah, my child" he was saying, you
are sweet, good girl after all, much
better than you make yourself out to
be. Your duty will control you! you
will do it nobly at last, my child"
'True enough. Father Beret, true
enough she responded, laughing
your perception is most excellent.
which will prove to you immediate
ly."
She rose while speaking and went
into the house.
IN return in a minute or two"
she called back from a region which
Pere Beret well knew was that Of the
pantry; don't get impatient and go
away
Pere Beret laughed softly at the
preposterous suggestion that he would
even dream OF going out IN the rain,
which was now roaring heavily on
the loose board roof, and miss cut
OF cherry plea cherry pie OF Alices
makingl And the Roussillon claret.
too, was always excellent. "Ah. child, 8"
he thought, your old father is not
going away"
She presently returned. bearing on
a wooden tray a ruby-stained pie and
a short, stout bottle f1anked by two
glasses.
"Of course I'm better than some
times appear to be-" she said. almost
humbly, but with mischief still in her
voice and eyes, and shall get to be
very good when I have grown old
The sweetness OF my present nature
Is in this pie"
She set the tray on a three-legged
stool which she pushed close to him.
There now" she said, "let the rain
come. you'll be happy. rain or shine,
while the pie and wine last. III be
bound"
Pere Beret fell TO eating right
heartily. meantime handing Jean a
| liberal piece Of the luscious pie.
1T is good, my daughter. very good,
indeed" the priest remarked with his
mouth full. Madame RoussiIIon has
not neglected your culinary educa-
ton" Alice filed glass for him. 1t
was Bordeaux and very fragrant The
bouqet reminded him OF his sunny
boyhood in France, Of his journey up
to Paris and Of his careless, Joy
brimmed youth In the gay city. How
far away. how misty, yet how thrill
ingly sweet it all ives! He sat with
half closed eyes awhile, slipping and
dreaming.
The rain lasted nearly two hours;
but the sun was out again when Pere
Beret took leave Of his young friend.
AhCJ AldA Dcou having dIlOIneE good
natured quarrel over the novels, and
Madame Roussillon had come out on
the veranda to join In
I've hidden every book OF them, -
said Madame, a stout and swarthy
woman whose pearl-white teeth were
her only mark of beauty. Her voice
indicated great stubbordnness
Good, good, you have done your
very duty, Madame" said Pere Beret,
with immense approval in his charm
ing voice.
But, Father, you said awhile ago
that should have my own way about
this" Alice spoke up with spirit:
and on the strength OF that remark
of yours 7 gave you the pie and wine.
You've eaten my pie and swigged the
wine, and now"
Pere Beret put on his straw cap.
adjusting It carefully over the shin
ing dome out of which had come SO
many thoughts Of wisdom. kindness
and human sympathy. This done, he
gently laid a hand on Alice's bright
crown Of hair and said
BLESS you. my child. I will pray
to the Prince Of Peace for you as long
as I live and I will never ceas. ~