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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 1903)
a Hf---. filing g" $ 4t ?ifl Sit ALICE of oSl DAILY CAMTM. JOURNAL. 8ALBM, ORBftON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1903. S MAURICE THOMPSON Copy,!.,. 1900. b ,h. BOWEN-MERBltt COHPAHV .M ,K-JM'v i (Continued ) ?'1 r-v I warmest nmmm: U-ver tnougnt oi mien , . J ...J H .1 I. .' CHAPTER XIV. A ritlBOMEU OF LOVE. LICE . put on her clothes nnd followed Cnptnln Fnrnsworth to the fort, renllz lug thnt no pleasant exnorl. onco nwnlted her. The wind nnd rnlu still prevailed whun they were rondy to set forth, nnd, although It wim not ex tremely cold, n searching chill went with every throb that marked the storm's wnvcB. No lights shone In the village houses. Overhead a gray gloom covered sturs nnd sky, making the darkness In the wntory streets sewn densely black. Fnrnsworth otToied Al ice his arm, but she did not accept It. "I know the way better than you do." she said. "Comu on, und don't be i It-" "iy sworn .' thing. "Tills lllnmnnt .1. ... ..'." m" i" ma. nml in u aw. My Btm S Wwing know now." wught her meaning and for the llrst became aware of h0 Bptar J, 'u' pen then Its point was toward hor and very near her breast. lie low. ?nr?n ,nVn?,ljr WllllB tl10 tra,h r Into his mind. ''Forgive me." he murmured., his words barely audible In the tumult of wind and rain, but charged with the intensest fotllng. "Forgive me. I did not know. It was mi ace.dent. I coKl not do such a thing purposely. Ucllevc me. bellevo me. Miss Houseillon, I did not-iine. afraid tunt i am going to run. I shall "I should iiko toiihM ,.. - --- .... jwur mil: as you not play any trick on you." "Very well, inndemolselle, jikc. i uubi you. . They hastened along until' a lantern In the fort shot a hazy gleam upon them. "Stop a moment, mademoiselle," Fnrnsworth called. "I say, Miss Itouv bIJIoii, stop n moment, please." Allco halted and turned, facing him go short und bo suddenly thnt tho rnpler In his hand pricked through her wrap and slightly scratched her arm. "What 'do you mean, sir?" she de manded, thinking thnt he had thrust purposely. "Do I deserve this brutal ity?" "You mlstnko me, Miss nousslllon. I cannot bo brutal to you now. Do not fenr me. I only hnd n word to say." "Oh, you deem It very pollto and gen tle to Jab mo with your sword, do you? If I hnd one In my hand you would not dare try such a thing, nnd you know It very well." Ho wna umnzed, not knowing that the sword point had touched her. Ho could not boo her face, but there was a (IqbIi fit her voice that startled him with Us indignant contempt and resent ment. "What nro you saying, Miss IlousslI Ion? I don't -understand you. When did I over when did I Jab you wt'di i.re-i-Uuy saw, ..Btlt i ( You English are all, all despicable, raoau, vile!" "Rome time you shall not say that." Fnrnsworth responded. "I asked you to lop a moment thot I might beg you to believe how wretchedly .sorry I am Tor what I am doing, nut you eiunot understand me now. Aro you really hurt, Miss Uousslllon? I assure you that It was purely accidental." "My hurt is nothing," she said. "I am very glad." "Well, then, shall we go on to tho fort?" "Vou may go whore you please, ma demoiselle." She turned her back upon him nnd without an answering wonl walked straight to the lantern that hung by the gate of the stockade, where a senti nel tramped to and fro. A few mo ments lator Captain Fnrnsworth pre sented her to Hamilton, who hnd been called from his bed when the news of the trouble nt nousslllon place reached the fort. "So you've been raising trouble again, havo you, into?" ho growled, with an ugly frown darkening his face. "I beg your pardon," said Fnrns worth, "Miss ItouNslllon was not to blame for" "Jn rnnr eves she'd not he tn.h'-- - sir U m,p burn.il vp the fort and all of ii U. ' Hamilton grullly Interrupted. Miss what have you been doing? Hat are you hare ror? CHptnln Fnrns worth. y0U wl pmwe BUte Uip U1.IM of the trouble that 1 have Just Irani about. Ami I may as well notify you that I wish to Iwnr no specinl lor r plenrtlPK In this girl's behalf." rnrnswortlTs faw whitened with an- Ho hit his id,. mi shh-pr ran through Ins fr.imo. but lie had to con quer the pus ilon. In a ft.w words want and direct ns musket balls he told all the circumstance of ,what hnd taken place, making no concealment to fn or Alice, bnt boldly blaming the oflicer of the patrol, Lieutenant Har low, for losing hi bond nnd attacking young girl in her own home. "I will hear front Harlow," snld Hamilton after listening attentively to the story. -Hut take this girl and eon flue her. Xliow her no favors. I liolo you responsible for Iter until tomorrow motnlng. You can retire." There ms no room for discussion Fnrnsworth sainted and turnrd tt Alice "Come with me," he gently said. Hamilton looked nfter them as they went out of his room, a curious smll piny lug around his ilrntly set lips. "Site's the moat beautiful vixen thnt t ever saw." he thought. "She doesn't look to n Trench girl olther; decided ly Kngllsh." He shrugged his "lioul dors, then laughed dryly. 'Tarns worth's as crury as can be, the beggar; in love with her so deep thnt he cant see out. Hy Jove, she is n beauty! Never saw such eyes. And plucky to bent the deuce. I'll bet my head Har low Ml be daft about her next!" Still, notwithstanding the lightness of his inward comments, Hamilton re garded the Incident as rather serious Ho knew that tho French Inhabitants' were secretly his bitter enemies, yet probnbly willing, If he would humor their peculiar social, domestic; and com mercial prejudices, to refrain from nc tlvn hostilities, and oven o aid him In furnishing his gnirlson with a large amount of needed supplies. The dan ger Just now was twofold his Indlnn nllles were deserting hlut, nnd n llotllln loaded with provisions and ammuni tion front Detroit had failed to arrive. He might, If the French rose against him nnd were Joined by the Indians, havo great dllllculty defending tho fort. It was clear that M. Itnusslllon had more Iniluence with both Creoles nnd savages than any other person savo Father Heret. Urgent policy dle tntcd that these two men should some how bo won over. Hut to do this It would le necessary to treat Allco In such n way that her nrrost would nld, Instead of operating ngnlnst the de sired result a thing not easy to man age. Cuit.i'M r-rrtb toe- t.ss rr. I Confess 0 Yfe A. W mvaie 5 Secretary ions of a This unique series by the private secretary of a Wall Street magnate, shows remarkable strength and ex traordinary knowledge and penetra tion in describing the conditions of the country's financial centre and the people who revolve around it. It bids fair to be one of the great literary sensations of 1904. "The Christmas Pence " by Thomas Nelson Page AChri9.mReverie;-BfcComsn IN MAGAZ for January 12 Short Stories by such noted contributor as Chas. G. D. Reberts: W. A Fraser; E. H Sothem; M p. A. Steel; and others. 160 Pages of Reading' A 35ent magazine for 15 cents. H.KO8SKI.t,P0Br.ISHK,3WST (c ii mi I ims i i i i i t m EIk 1 nTHST..N. Y - - T -v A H fW prisoner straightway from namllton'a presence to a small room conueeted with a considerable stnicturo In a dis tant anglo of the stockade. Neither bo nor Alice spoko on tho -way. With a huge wooden key ho unlocked tho door and stepped asldo for her to enter. A dim lamp was burning within, Its yel lowish light flickering over tho scant furniture, wldch consisted of n com fortnblo bed, a tablo with somo books on it, throe chairs, n small looking glass on the wall, a guitar nnd somo ar ticles of men's clothing hanging hero nnd there. A. heap of dull embers entoldorcd In tho fireplace. Alice did not fn.lcr at tho threshold, but prompt ly entered her prison. "I hopo you can bo comfortable," said Karnsworth In a low tone. "It's tho best I can glvo you." "Thank you," was tho answer, spoken. Quito as if ho had handed lier ft glass of water or picked up her handker chief. Ho held tho door n moment whllo she stopped with her back toward him In the middle of tho room; then sho henrd him close nnd lock It Tho air was al most too warm after her oxposure to the biting wind nnd cold dashes of rnln. Sho cast off hor outer wraps and stood by the llreplnce. At n glnnco sho comprehended 1hnt the plnco was not tho ono sho had formerly occupied as a prisoner, nnd that it belonged to n man. A long rlflo stood In a corner, a bullet pouch nnd powder horn hanging on a projecting hickory ramrod. A heavy fur topcoat lay across ono of tha chairs. Fnrnsworth, who hnd given Allco his own apartment; took what rest ho could on tho cold ground under a leaky shed hnrd by. His wound, not yot nlto gcthcr healed, was not benefited by the exposure. In duo time next morning Hamilton ordered Alice brought to his office, and when sho appeared ho was smiling with ns near an approach td affability as his disposition would' penult. H.i rose and bowed like n courtier. "I hopo yon rested well, mademot snlle," ho said in his best French, lit Imagined thnt tho use of her language would bo agrecablo to begin with. "I nm sorry, monsieur, thAt 1 cannot say ns much to you," bIio glibly re sponded. "If you lay upon n bed of needles tho whole night through, your rest was bettor than you deserved. My own sleep was qulto refreshing, thaulc you." Instantly Hamilton's choler rose. Ho tried to suppress It nt first, but whon ho saw Allco ncfunlly laughing, and Famsworth, who had brought her In, biting his Up furiously to' keep from adding nn uproarious guffaw, ho lost nil hold of himself. "I might have known better tttnn to expect decency from n wench of your character." he said. "I hoped to do you n favor; but I seo that yon nro not capable of accepting kindness politely." "I am sure, monsieur, that I havo but spoken tho truth plainly to you. You would not have mo do otherwise, I hope." Her voice, absolutely witching In Its softness, freshness nnd suavity, helped tho nssault of hor oyes, while her dim ples twiuKlml and hor hair shone. Hamilton felt his heart move strnitgoly, but he could not forbear saying In Kng llsh: "If you nro so very truthful, miss, you will pmtMihly toll mo whom tho Hag Is that yon stole And hid." It was always the missing bnnuor thnt riuno to mind when he saw her. "Indeed, I will do nothing of tho sort," she promptly replied. "When jou ki-0 th.it Hag again you will bo u prisoner, and I will wave It high over your hind ' Hli lifted a hand ns sho spoke nnd in.uli- the motion of shaking u banner nboc him It was exnsporntlon sweet ened almost to delight thnt took holdof the stunly Hilton U liked pluuk, e p. chilly in u w oiimii. all tho ntoro If h. waH i uutlful. yet tho very fnet that l.e fell her cliurin Tailing upon him set him hard against, hor, not ns Hamilton tho titan, but as Hamilton tlto commander nt Vlneoiines. o think to lllng yourself upon me nn vou have upon Cnptalii Funis worth," he said, with an ItiMUltlngleer nml n a tone of nriirleiit Innuendo. "I nt,. nnt Mii-ufiiilhle. my dear." This more fr Fa nw worth's bonellt than to insult h'T, albeit he was not In u mood to care "Vou are n coward and a llarr sn exclaimed, her face flushing with hot shame "You stand hero," sho quickly, added, turning fiercely upon Fanw worth. "and iuUitl' listen to such words! You, too. are a cownrd If you do not mok Mm retract! Oh, you Kng llsh are low brutes!" Hamilton Itughed, but Farnswortb looked dark and troubled. hU glance going back and forth from Alice to hi commander ns If another word would cause him to do something terribl "I rather think I've hoard nil that 1 cam to hear from you. miss." Hainll ,. ni-MMiitlv said. "Captalu Fams worth. yo will seo thnt tho prlsonor li nnniiiiMi in the iiroiwr Place, whleh, 1 smrgeHt to you. hi not your sleeping quarters, sir" "Colonel iiamiiion, i' ' worth In a husky volue, "I slept on the ground under a shed last night lit order that MIM llMiwtfllon might bo somo what comfortable." "Humph! Well, see that you do- no! do It again. ThU girl Is guilty of " Mm. ii mii' and rmdftlng a lawful at tempt of my gwrds to aapture hlra. ..itn i.r in the ttlaee prepared foi prisoner and that site stays there uutll I am rwy w " , mnt." There hi o pJa At for a young girl to stay Is." Kurwwortu veuwreu. Hhe can Uar w eoiufort or" "Take lr along, sir. Any plaw W good uiwkIi for her ep loflg as she be hares like a" ..... "Very well," Farnswortu bluntly In- 8EVEH mmu rum torruptca, tmis sanug mw nv ,. of n vllo comparison. "Como with mo plense. Miss Itousslllon." Ho pulled hor toward tho door, then dropped tlunnu he hhd grasped'nnd murmured nn aiwlogy. She followed him out, holding her head high. No-one looking on would hnve suspected that a sinking sensa tion In her hoarrmade It dlfflcult for her to walk or that her eyes, shining llko stars, wore so Inwardly clouded With distress thnt sho stw her way but dimly. It was a relief to Hamilton when Holm a few minutes later entered the room with something breezy to say. "What's up now, If I may askr tho Jolly American demanded. "What's this I hear nbouf trouble with tho French women T Havo they begun a revolution" "Thnt elephant Gnspard Ilousslllou came back Into town lost night," said Hamilton sulkily. "Well, ho went out again, didn't hoi" "Ye hnt"- "Stopped on somebody's toe first, ohr "The guard tried o capture hint, nnd Uint girl of his wounded I.leutonant ltnrlow In tho neck with a sword. Rousslllon fought like n tiger, and the men swear tliat Batan 'himself np penred'ou thoHccno to help tho French, man out." "Mornlt lie generous In your dealings with Frenchmen nnd French women and bo get tho devil on your sldo." "I've got tho girl a prisoner, nnd 1 swear to you thnt I'll havo her shot this time lf"- "Why not shoot her yourself? You oughtn't to shirk' a dirty Job like that nnd force It upou your men." Hamilton Inughed and olovatod his shoulders as If to shake off an annoying load. Just then a young ofllcer with it white bandage around his neck entered nnd' saluted. He was n small, soft haired, blue eyed man of reckless benr lng, wlth'mnrksof dissipation shnrply cut Into his face. Ke saluted, smiling self consciously. "Well, nnrlow," snld Hamilton, "the kitten scratched you, did she!" "Yes, slightly, and 1 don't think J'vt been fronted fairly In the matter, sli " "ITojr so 7" "I Btood lite bmtit, nnd now Captain Varnsworth gots tho prlte." Ho 'twist ed his mouth In mnck'oxproMlou of raaudllti'dlimppolntmeut. "I'm always cjieated out of tho sweets. I nevor get anything for gallant conduct on the Hold." "I'oor boy! It Is a shame, nut I say, lieutenant, has Itousslllon rctilly es caped, or Is he hidden' somowhoro In town? Hnve you been carofult" "Oh, It's tho Indians. They nil swear by theso Frenchmen. You can't got any help from them against a fellow- llko Itousslllon. In fact, they nld him. Ho's among them now." "Morn! again," Helm Interposed "Keep on tho good sldo of tho French." "That's sonslblo talk, sir," nswettted Harlow. "Unit!" oxclalmed Hamilton. "You might as well talk of keeping on the good sldo of tho American traitors. A bloody murrain selxo tho wholo race!" "That's what 1 say," chimed In tho lieutenant, with a sly look at Helm. "They hnvo been tolling mo n cock nnd bull story concerning tho affair nt tbo Ilousslllou cabin," Hamilton said, changing his mnnnor. "What Is thin nlMiut n disguised nnd wonderful man who rushed In and upset the whole of you? I want no romancing. Olvo mo the facts." Harlow's dlssoluto counlcnaneo bo came troubled. "The facts." ho sold, speaking with serious deliberation, "are not clear. It was like a chip of thunder tho way that mini iierformed. As yon sny, lie did tllng the whow sqund oil of n heap, and It was done thnt quickly." he snapped his thumb and linger demon stratively with n sharp report, "nobody could understand It." Hamilton looked at his subaltern with ii smllo of unlimited contempt and nnld: "A nrettr oUlcor of his mslesty'n ar my you are, Lieutenant Unrlowl First a slip of a girl shows herself your su jHirior with tho sword nnd wounds you, then a single man wipes up mo uoor m n houtw with you nnd your guard, le prlvltig you nt tin same- tlrao of both vision nnd memory. that you cannot even deserllte your nssallnntl "HW'wnr dressed-like a priest." mut terod 'Harlow, evidently frightened at M' rominfinrter's scathing comment. That was-all thero was to sec." "A priest! Home of tho men say tne deVll I wouiUiH- Hamilton 'hesitated and looked atllw floor. ' "This Father Horet. IwIb too old for 'such a Ihlng, Isn't Iter -I havo thought of blm-ltwas like hnn bnt he ts. as you say. very old ttf be so treumndoiwly strong and ae tiro Why. I tell you that men went from hls'hnnds against tlifl walls and floor as ir shot out or a mortar. It was the strangest and most astouiidind thing I over heard of." A little later Harlow solawd a favorn bio opportunity and withdrew. Tbs rivontatlon was not to hts liking Hamilton snt for Father Herat and bad a ler tlk with him. but the oh! man looked so ehlWIshly Inoffewtvs In spirit and so collapsed physically that it imiiiwI worse than foolishness lo ac cuse him of the exploit over which the uitiro trurriwiir was wondwlflg- Fshw- .i. u i, (lnrinrf the Interview Ue looked th'gow priest curleusly and .HMmiiT over from head to fool, re membering, but not mentioning, tho m,at unrlerlcai nuh In Ihe side re ceived from that energetic right arm now lying so Uabblly across the old mull's lap. When the lalk ended and Father He ret humbly took hhi leave, Hswllten tunuMo Famsworth and sjihl; 'Wbt)iWyoo"thlhkof tbflraffslr? I have cross; quwHoned U Jhe men who took part in it ana every one of tnem says simply priest or devil. I think old Heret lt both, but plnlrily he couldn't hurt a chicken; you can sec that at a gmnce." Fnrnsworth smiled, rubbing his sldo rcmlnlscently. but lie shook his head. "I'm stirc It's pusllnKlndeedl, Hamilton sat In thoughtful slleucei for nwhllo, then abruptly changed the. subject. "1 think, captalu. that you had bet ter sqnd out Lleutennnt Harlow and roniG of tho best Woodsmen to kill some game. Wo need fresh venison, and,' by Geerxe. I'm not going to depend upon these French traitors any longer. J have set my foot down. They've got to do better or tnko the consequences." He jmnsed for a breath, then added: "Thnt girl lina dono too mneh'to escspe severest punishment. The garrison Willi bo demoralised If thhj. thing goes on without an example of Authority rig. Idly enforced I nm resolved that there thai! U a startling and cCectlvo public d'splay of my power to punish. She shot you You seem to bo glad of It, bnt It was n grave offense. She has stabbed Harlow. That Is another oo tUus crime; bjiti ivjorstof.aU. !l aid- The tiro tarn stood tetth a Uohf grip hctiweirttem Wa'spv and resisted nrrest. Sho must X punished." Famsworth knew Hamilton's mttnre, and lie now saw that Allco Wits In dreadful danger of death or somethTair. even worse. No sooner had he left headquarters and given Harlow his In struction touching the hunting expedl tlon. than his mind begun to wander nmhl visions nnd schemes by-no means consistent with his military obligation. In order to reflect undlsturhsd-he wont forth Into the dreary, htnellko streets of. Vlneentiea and walked aimlessly 'fieri I nml lucre until no mot miner uoret- FiintBwoitli saluted the old man-ami was passing hint hy whon. seeing ft nwnnl lit his hand half lilddvu'ltf tty folds of his worn and faded tussock, ly turned and addressed hlmt "Why are you itrmetl tills m'orului father?" ho demanded vorj-plousitntiy 'Who Is to suffer now?" f "I am not on tint wiirpnth, iiiyvnaiij' rellieil inn (iriiwi. u in uiivii iuihuii that I nm going to clean of rustpoU thnt are stMt)Mrlusr on lirhlade." I Is It yonrs. father? r.ct mu'sco Itf He held nm his hitml. ; , ,1", liui ..,.i,. j. Father ltwr.it seeutid not to notKJ Fnrnswttrtii'M dwlro to lwiid',tuv weapon, nml llm young man Instead of reiieatliitt Ills' nvnnls renclted ifttrtticr, I'lmrly jmiiHdiig Uw senhhnnl.' t "I (wiiuot let you tnko It, my 'son J? said Fittliop Heret. "Yonhnvo Ittmntf, That slHHihl' satisfy you." K'n. fi.lnn.it Ilillllllton took ItS? J-"arusworth quickly replied. "If oottld I would gladly return It lo Its owner. ! nm not n thlr. father,' nndtl am HSliaiueil of ofwhnt I did whenU was drunk." t The priest lonkeit shnrply Into Farns worth's eyes nnd road there something that reassured him. Ills long expe rience had rendorcd him adept nt taUS lng n iiihu's value nt n glaueo. Ho slightly lifted Ills fnciyiind said: "Ah, hut tho poor little jjlrl! ' Why do you persoeHle Iter? Slie really; doW not deserve it. Hhe Is a nobfo child. (Jive her bask to Iter homo nrnVherpeo pie. Do not soil and spoil her sweet llfo." It was the singsong volco- used by Father Heret In bis sermons and pray ere, but something went with It inde scribably touehlng. FftrnswortnroiiB lump rise !u his throat, and his tye Were ready to sltow tears. "Fnlher." he said with dlffleulty, making Ida words distinct, "I would not harm Miss Housslllou to sare toy own life, ami I would do anything Ha paused slightly, then added wit" pnwrfoimte farce, "I would do anything, no matter what, to saro her from1 tha terrible thing that now threalens'her.' Father Herd's countenanco changed curiously mi he gated at the youttgmsn and said: "If you really mean what you y , you can easily sare her, my son." "fathor. by all that J holy. I mean Just what I say" . 4 .- "Swear not at all, my son, but glw mo your band." The two men stood with a tight gnp between them and exchanged a. loor, steady, searehlug gaze- A drtssllng rain had begun to fH again, wl!h a raw wind creeping from the west. P ' "Come with me to my house, my eoav Faiher Heret presently added, and J, jfether they went, tlie priest corertWf Alleti's sword from the rain with Uw folds of his csiMUMk. (Continued next gateway.) oAsyonffV'i; - mm1tt WUSWWII WW fwps of CcacX J-&&&M s; r"m