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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 1904)
"r " V)" vfr "v ' iwviwvTynipwwimMm Timyi w?" 4' DAILY CAP, ,AL JOURNALy SALEM, OREGON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1904. THREE ; BX I- i ALICE of OLD I ill AI UftfMtB'f NCENNES By MAURICE THOMPSON Copyright. 1900, by the (Continued ) CHAPTEIl XV. VinTUtt IN A LOCKET. LONG IIAIU stood not upon cere mony In conveying to Eeverlcy the Infonnntlon that lie was to run the gantlet. The prepara tions wore Blniple nnd quickly made. Iflneh mnn mined himself with n Btlck three feet long and about tbree-qunr-tors of an Inch In diameter. Rough weapons they were, cut from boughs of ucrub oak, knotty and tough as horn. Long Hair unbound his body down to tiio waist. Then tho lines formed, the radians In each row standing jtbout as far apart as the width of the space In which tho prisoner was to run. This arrangement gave them free use of tltclr sticks and plenty of room for full swing of their lithe bodies. In removing Hevcrlcy'a clothes Long Hair found Alico's locket hanging over tito young man's heart. He tore It rudely oil and grunted, glaring vicious ly first at It, then nt Beverley. Ho seemed to be mightily wrought upon. "White man thief!" he growled deep In his throat. "Stole from little girl!" He put the locket In his pouch and resumed his stupidly Indifferent expres sion. When everything was ready for the delightful entertainment to begin Long Ihtlr waved his tomnhawlc three times over Beverley's head nnd, polntlug down between tho waiting Hues, said: "Ugh, run I" But Beverley did not budge. He was standing erect, with his arms, deeply creased where tho thongs had sunk, folded across his breast. A rush of thoughts and feelings had taken tu multuous possession of him, nnd he could not move or dccldo what to do. A mad desire to escape arose in his heart tho moment that ho saw Long Hair take tho locket It was as If AIlco had cried to him nnd bidden him make a dash for liberty. "Ugh, run I" Tho order was accompanied with a pnsh of such violence from Long Hair's left elbow that Boverley plunged and fell, for his limbs, after Jhelr long and painful confinement In the rawhide bonds, were stiff nnd almost .useless. Long Hair In no gentle voice bade him get up. Tho shock of falling seemed to awaken his dormant forces; a sudden resolve leaped Into his brain. He saw that the Indians had put aside their bows aud guns, most of which were leaning against tho boles of trees hero and yonder. What If ho could knock Ling Hair down and run away? This might possibly be easy, considering the Indian's broken nrm Ills henrt Jump ed nt the possibility Hut the shrewd Bavago was alert util saw the thought come Into his face. I "You try git 'way, kill dead!" he snarled, lifting his tomahawk reauv for n stroke. "Hrtilus out!" Beverley glanced down the waiting nnd eager linos. Swiftly he speculated, wondering what would be 111 chance for escape Were he to break through. But he did not take his own condition Into account. "Ugh, run!" Again tho elbow of Long Hair's hurt rm pushed him toward tho expectant rows of Indians, who Nourished their clubs and uttered linpatiWU grunts. Beverley made n direct dash for tho narrow lano between the braced nnd watchful lines. Every warrior lifted his club. Bvory copper face gleamed steadily, n innnk behind which burned a RtiMiigt'ly iiti'ucious srdylt, The two savage stated tig at the eud nearest Beverley s'ruck ut him the Instant It reached them, but they wre taken quite by surprise when he cheeked him self between them mid. leaping this way nnd that. t-tvung wit two powerful blows, left anil right, stretching one of thorn Hat and bonding tho other reolliw and stnggeilng half it dozen pneri bnckward with the blood streaming from his nose. j This done. IWorloy turned to run away, but his breath was nlrendy short nnd his strength rapidly going. j Iing Ilulr. who was at his heels. leaped before blin when he bad gone I V AAcnlH Seeing is Believing It b hard to believe an Evaporated Cream can make to many delicious duhei until too try it yoursclt. When you do, be lute you get Economy Brand Evaporated Cream heavy and constant consistency. 15a sure you see the cap label on It is the cap ol merit the sign ot ItHtIiTtII. ,j .. i... 4 M DOWEN-MERRILL COKPANT DUt a few steps nna once more nour ished the tomahawk. To struggle wns useless save to Insist upon being brained outright, which Just then had no part In Beverley's considerations. Long Hnlr kicked his victim heavily, uttering laconic curses mennwhlle, nnd led him back again to the stnrtlng point. The young man, who hnd borne all ho could, now turned upon him furi ously nnd struck straight from the shoulder, setting the wholp weight of his body Into the blow. 'Long Hair stepped out of tho way and quick ns n flash brought the flat sldo of his tomn hnwk with great forco against Bever ley's head. This gave the nmusement n sudden nnd disappointing end, for tne prisoner fell limp nnd senseless to the ground. No more running tho gantlet for him that day. Indeed It required protracted nppllcntlon of tho best In dlan skill to revive him so that he could falrlr bo called n living mnn. Thero hnd been no dnngerous concus sion, however, nnd on the following morning camp was broken. Beverley, sore, haggard, forlornly disheveled, had his arms bound again nnd was made to inarch apace with his nimble enemies, who set out swiftly eastward, their disappointment nt hnv lng their sport cut short, nlthough bit tor enough, not In the lenst Indicated by any facial e'.presslon or spiteful act. Was It really n strange thing, or wns It not, that Beverley's mind now busied Itself unccnslngly with tho thought that Long Hnlr had Alice's picture In his pouch? One might find room for dis cussion of n cerebral problem like this, but our history cannot be delayed with nnnlyses and speculations. It must ran Its direct course unhlndorcd to the end. Sulllco It to record that while tramping nt Long Hnlr'B bide and growing more nnd inoro desirous of seeing tho picture ngaln Beverley began trying to con verse wlth'hls taciturn captor. He hnd n considerable smattering of several Indian dialects, which he turned upon I Long Hnlr to the best of his ability, but apparently without effect. Never theless ho babbled nt Intervals, always upon tho same subject and always en deavoring to Influence that huge, stol id, heartless savago In tho direction of letting him see again the child face of tho miniature. When night came on nguln the band camped under some trees beside n swell- "Tru run 'mm. kill" en stream. There was no ruin falllu but almost the entire country lay under a flood of wuter. Fir1 of logs won toon burning brightly on the com.w.i ilvoly dry bluff chosen by the Indians The weather was chill, but not cwd Loug Hair took reat pains, however, to dry Beverley's clothes aud see flint ho had warm wraps nnd plenty to eat. Hamilton's (Jarge reward would not be forthcoming should the prisoner die. Beverley was good property, well worth careful attention. To be sure, his scalp In the worst ovent would com tnand n sufficient honorarium, but not k Nutogi Beverley thought of uli or tome other brand which has our cap label reproduced herewith. It ii a guarantee, (hat It ii nothing but ebto lutely pur cow milk, iter lured by scientific process, rich in butter (at and ol It delights the cook and tickle the palate. the can before you buy. honest goods. HELVETIA MILK COHDEffSlHO CO., HlfchUad, IIUboIs. th'ls while the big Indian wns wrap ping him snugly In sklis nnd blankets for the night, and there was no com fort In It save thnt possibly If he wew returned to Hamilton he might eo Alice ngaln before he died. At nbout the mldhoiir of the night Long Hnlr gently awoke his prisonot bv drawing a band across his rae i - -H.-Tsre.'. In b'. rsc: "Stllll" Boverley tried to rise, uttering a sleepy ejaculation under his breath. "No tnlk!" hissed Long Hnlr. "Still l" There wns something In his voice that not only swept the Inst film of sleep out of Beverley's brain, but mnde It perfectly clear to him that a very Important bit of craftiness was being performed. .Tust what its nnturcswns, however, he could not surmise. One thing was obvldus. Long Hnlr did not wish the other Indlnns to know of the move he wns muklng. Deftly he lipped the blankets from around Bev erley and cut the thongs nt his ankles. "Stllll" he whispered. "Come 'long." Under such circumstances a compe tent mind acts with lightning celerity. Boverley now understood that Long Hair was stealing him nway from Uie other savages and that the big villain meant to cheat them out of their part of the reward. Along with this discov ery came a fresh gleam of hope. It would be far easier to escape from one Indian thnu from nearly n score. Al ready he was planning or trying to plan some way by which ho could kill Long Hair when they should reach n safe distance from the sleeping camp. But hbw could the thing be done? A man with his hands tied, though they nt-h In front nt film. In In no excellent w- f ...j condition to copo with n free nnd stal wart snvngo armed to tho teeth. Still Beverley's spirits roso with every rod of distance that wns ndded to their slow progress. Their course wns nearly parallel with that of the stream, but slightly con verging with it, nnd after they hnd gono nbout a furlong they reached the bank. Here Long Hnlr stopped nnd, without n word, cut tho thongs from Beverley's wrists. This was nstdund lng. Tho young mnn could scarcely re alize it, nor wns ho ready to act "Swim wntor," Long Hnlr said In n guttural murmur barely audible. "Swim!" Again It wns necessary for Bever ley's mind to uct swiftly and with pru dence. The camp wus yet within hall lng dlstnnce. A fnlso movo now would bring the whole pack howling to the rescue. Something told him to do as Long Hair ordered, so with scarcely a perceptible hesitation ho scrambled down the bushy bank and slipped Into the water, followed by Long Hnlr. who seized him by one arm when he began to Hwlm and struck out with him Into tile boiling and tumbling current. Beverley had always thought himself n master swimmer, but Long Hair showed him his mistake. It was a long, cold struggle, and when nt last they touched the sloping, low bnnk on tho other side Long Hnlr had fairly to lift his chilled and exhausted prlsonor to the top. "I'gh. cold!" he grunted, beginning to pound aud rub Beverley's arms, legs nnd body. "Mu'to wnrm heap!" All this he did with his right hand, holding the tomahawk lit his. loft. It was a strange, bewildering expe rience out of which tho young man could not sco In any direction far enough to give lilm a hint upon which to act. In u few minutes Long Hnlr Jerked him to his foot nnd said: "Go." It was Just light enough to sec that the order had a tomahawk to enforce it withal. Long Hnlr Indicated tho di rection nnd drove Hevorley onwnrd ns fast as he could. "Try run 'way. kill!" be kopt repeat ing, while with his loft hand on the young man's shoulder he guided him from behind doxtoroiihly through tlfe wood for Home distance. They had Just emerged from a thick ct Into an open spneo where tho ground wns comparatively dry. Overhead tho stars were shining In great clusters of silver hnd gold against a dark, cavern mis' looking- sky. here nnd there over run with eutverlng bhiek clouds. Uev erley shivered, not so much with cold as on account of the stress of excite oient which amounted toJiorvous rigor. Long II ur faced him and leaned to ward him '.mil hht breathing was tin tilble aud hi imumIw featuros were dimly outCu -d A dragon of tho dark est iiko c-nild not have been more re pplalvo. x "I'gh. friend:" Hevorley st-irted whon these word ivere followed by a santonco In uii In dian dialect xoiiKrwhnt familiar to him. a dialect tu which he had tried to talk with I-iib Hair during the day's march. The sentence, literally traa lated. was i "Long Hnlr Is friendly now Will white muii be friendly?" Beverley Iwnrd. but the speech soeai ed to i-ouie ut at vastueM and hollow Jlstnnee. lie could nut realize It fairly He felt iw If In a drew in. far off sonn where lu Inn ! n.tw. with a big. shad, owy f rii looming Iwfarc lilin. He heard the chill wind In the thickets roundabout, mid beyond Long Hair row a wall of Klnut tree. "Ugh. not tuutertttHHd?" the savng" presently deiiriinltil In his broken Eng lish. "Yets, yen." su'.d Hevorley. "I under tand." "Is the wi.lie uwii friendly now,2" Long Hair tln-o reppnted In bis own tongue wltb t( uerttiln Insistence of manner and voice.' "Yes. frlen,Uy." Long Hnlr fumbled In his pouch and took out Allee'tf lookwL which he band ed to Beverley. MWb!t man love little girl?" lie Inquired In n tone that bor Uered upon tenderness, again speaking tn Indian. BdVorley clutched the dlsit as sootr as he saw It gleam In the starlight. "White man going to have llttlo girl for his squnw, eh?" "l'es, yes," cried Beverley without hearing his own voice. He wns trying to open the locket, but his hands were numb nnd trembling. When nt last he lid open It he could not sec the child faco within, for now even the starlight wns sliMt off by a scudding black cloud. "Little girl saved Long nnlr's life Long Hair savo white warrior for UttU irl." A dignity which was almost noble ac companied these simple sentences. Long Hnlr stood proudly erect like a colossnl statue in the dimness. Tho grent truth dnwned upon Bover ley that here wob a characteristic net. He knew that an Indian rnrely failed to repay a kindness or an Injury, stroke for stroke, when opportunity offered. "Walt here n little while," -Long Hnlr snld, and, without lingering for reply, turned nway and disappeared In the wood. Boverley wns free to run If he wished to, nnd the thought did surge across his mind, but n restraining something like a hand laid upon him would not let his limbs move. Down deep in his henrt a calm voice seemed to bo repenting Long Hair's Indian sen tence, "Walt here n llttjc while." A few minutes Inter Long Hnlr re turned bearing two guns, Beverley's nnd his own, Hie latter a superb weap on given hlmlij Hamilton. He after ward explained that ho had brought these, with their bullet pouches nnd powder horns, to a place of conceal ment near by beforo he awoke Bever ley. Delay could not be thought of. Long Hair explained briefly thnt ho thought Bevorley must go to Knsknskla. He had cou,o across the stream In the di rev Hon of Vlncennos lu order to sot his vuirriotH nt fault. Tho stream must bo recroSsed, he said, farther down. nnd he would help Beverley a certain distance on his way, then leave him to shift for himself. He had n monger amount of parched com nnd buffalo moat lu his pouch which would stay hunger until they could kill some game. Now they must go. They flung miles behind them before day dawn, Iong Ilulr leading, Hever ley pressing eloso at his heels. Most of the way led over lint prairies covered with water, and they therefore left no track by which they could be followed. Lntc In the forenoon Long Hnlr killed a deer nt tho edgo of a wood. Here they made n fire and cooked n supply which would Inst them for a day or two. and then on they went again. Hut we cannot follow them step by step. When Long Jlalr at last took leave of Beverley tho occasion had no ccremo uy. It wns an hlirupt, uneiuotlona! parting. The stalwart Indian simply Bald In his own dialect, pointing west ward; "Uo tluit way two days. You will find your friends." Then without another lrok or word he turned ntiout and stalked eastward ut a marvelously rapid gait. In his mind ho hnd a good tale to tell his war rior companions when he should find them again how Beverloy escaped that night nnd how he followed him a long, long cIiiiho only to lose him at last under the very guns of tho fort jtt Kaskaskla. Hut before he reached his baud tin Incident of some Importance changed his story to n considerable de gree. It chanced that he came upon Lieutenant Harlow, who In pursuit of game had lost his bearings and, far from his companions, wus beating around quite bowlldored In n watory solitude. Long Hnlr promptly mur dered the poor fellow and scalped him with ns little compunction ns ho would have skinned n rabbit, for ho had a clover scheme lu his head, n vecy auda cious nnd outrageous scheme, by which be purposed to recoup to some extent tho dnmnges sustained by letting Bev erley go. Therefore when ho rejoined his some what dlshenrtcued and demoralized band bo showed them the scalp and gavo them nn eloquent account of bow he tore It from Heverley's head after a loug chuso and a bloody hand to hand flght. Thoj listened, believed and were satisfied. OHAPTKU XVI. I'A'rmW! UKKHT' Ol.ll IIATTLi:. illC room hi which Alice waa now lumrlboned formed pari of the upper story of a build, lng erected by Hamilton In ono of the four tingles of the nockadc It had no windows and but two oblong portholes made to accommodate a M.111II stvjvel which stood darkly scowling near the middle of tho floor. Duj nfter day her loneliness and holplcsiifus l came more agonizing. Fnrnsworth. II Is true, did all he could to relieve the htraln of her situation, hut Hamilton had an eyo upon what passed nnd soon Interfered, lie administered a bitter reprimand, under which -hi" subordi nate writhed (11 speechless augur nud resentment. 'Finally,. Captain Farnsworth." h- Mild In conclusion, "you will distinctly tmderatrtnd thnt this girl is my prison er not youre; thnt I. not. you. will ill net how she Is to bo held nnd treated, nnd tlmt hereafter I will suffer no In terference on jour part. I hope yon fully uiidarsiniid 1110, sir. and will gov ern yoirielf accordingly." Smarting, or. rather, smothering, un der the outrageous Insult of these re mar'es. Ifarnsworth at first determined to fling his resignation at the govern or's foot nnd then do whatever desper ate thing seemed most to his mood. But a soldier's training is apt to call a-halt beforo the worst befalls In such a case. Moreover. In the presont temptation Fnrnsworth had a special check and hindrance. Ho had bad a conference with Father Beret in which the good nrlest had played tho part of wisdom in slippers ana or gentleness nir.rv dovellko than the dove's. A very subtle Impression, lllunllnnted with the "hopf that wlthors hope", had come of that Interview, and now Fnrnsworth felt Its restraint. He therefore saluted Hamil ton formally nnd walked nway. Father Beret's patcrnnl love for AI Ice we cannot chnrnclerlxo It morn nicely than to call It paternal was htn Justification for n certnln mild sort of corruption Insinuated by him Into the heart of Karnswttrth. He wns a crafty priest, but his craft wns always used fo u good end. Unquestionably Jesuttii wns bis mode of circumventing tho young man's military scruples by of fering him n pnff of fnlr weather with which to sail toward what appenred to be the shore of delight. He saw nt a glance that Fnrnsworth's love for Alice was a consuming pnsslon In a very ardent yet decidedly weak heart. Hero was the worldly lever with which Fa ther Beret hoped to raze Alice's prison and free her from the terrlblo doom with which sho wns threatened. The first Interview wns nt Father Beret's cabin, to which, as will be re membered, the priest nnd Fnrnsworth went nfter their meeting in the street It actually camo to nothing, save an indirect understanding but half sug gested by Father Beret and nover open ly sanctioned by Cnptnln Fnrnsworth. The talk was Insinuating on tho part "f the former, while tho latter slipped cvasttiy from every proposition, ns Jf not able to consider it on account of a curious obtuscness of perception. Still, when they separated they shook hands nnd exchanged n searching look per fectly satisfactory to both. ( The memory of thnt Interview with the priest was In Fnrnsworth's mind when, boiling with rage, ho left Ham- "t'8 tin otttniucV" ho tnrokc forth. llton's presenco and went forth Into the chill Fcbrunry air. Ho passed out through the postern nnd along the Eoddcn nnd quenchy edgo of tho prairie, Involuntarily mnklng his way to Father Beret's cabin. Ills Indignation was so great that ho trembled from head to foot at every step. Tho door of tho place was open nnd Futhor Beret wns eating a frugal meal of sconos and sour wlno(of his own make, he said), which he hospitably bogged to share with his visitor. A ftro smol dered on the hearth, nnd n flat stone showed, by the grease smoking ovor Its hot surface, whoro tho cakes had bcon baked. "Como lu. my son," said tho priest, "and try tho faro of 11 poor old mnn. It Is plain, very plain, but good." Ho smacked his lips sincerely nud lingered another scone. "Tnko some, take some." Farnsworth wiib not tempted. The acid bouquet of- tho wlno filled the room with a smack of vinegar, and tho smoko from rank scorching fat and wheat meal did not suggest nn agreea ble feast "Well, well, If you aro not hungry, my son, sit down on the stool thore and tell mo tho nows." Fnrnsworth took tho low seat with out n word, lotting hfs eyes wander ovor the walls. Alice's rapier, tin' mate to that now worn by Hamilton, hung lu Its curiously engraved scab bard near one corner. The sight of It lullaimsl Fnrnsworth. "It's an outrage!" he broke foith. "Governor Hamilton sent a man to Rousslllou place with orders to Upiiii? him the scabbard of Miss HoiihsIIIuu'h sword. aiinMie inw wears the beantirul weapon as If he hud come by It lion estly. ('iiise lilm!" "My dear, dear miii. you mint net sot) your lips with midi luiivu.ige!" Father Beret let full the half of a well bitten vtike and lurid up both hands. "I bey your. pardon, father I km I ought to be more e ireful labour prouunco. but but the beastly scouu drol"- "Bah! Douoemeut, mon tils, douce meiit." The old man shook his head and his finger whllo speaking. "Hnsy. my son. onsy. You would be 11 One target for bullets wore your words to reach Hamilton's oars. You are not permitted to revllo your commandor." "Yes. I know; but how eau a man restrain hlniMtlf under such abomina ble conditions?" Father Beret shrewdly guessed thai namlltou had been giving tho cnptnln fresh reasons for bitter rosantment. Moreover, he wns sure that the moving cause had been Alice. So, In order to dray out what ho wished to hoar, be snld vary gently: "How Is tho little prisoner getting nlong?" i Farnsworth ground his teeth aud wore, but Father Borot appeared not to hoar. He bt deep Into a scone, took a liberal sip of tho muddy red wine and added: "Has she a. comfortablo place? Do you think Governor Hamilton would let me visit bor?" Difficult Digestion That is dyspepsia. It makes life miserable. Its sufferers-eat not because they vxmt to, but simply because they mtuU They know they arc lrrltablo and fretful ; but thoy cannot be otherwise. Thoy complain of a bad tasto In tho mouth, a tenderness at tho pit of tho stom ach, an uneasy feeling bf puffy fulness, headache, heartburn and what not. Tho effectual remedy', proved by pcrma ncnt cures of thousands of severe cases, Is Hood's Sarsaparilla UooD'a 1'lLXa aro the best cathartic. "'ii ft horrfbter Farnswortn blurted. "She's penned up ns If sho were a dan gerous beast, the poor girl. And that d d scouudrer "Son, son!" "Oh, It's no use to try. I enn't help It, father. The whelp" "Wo can converse raoro safely and Intelligently If wo avoid profanity and undue emotion, my son. Now, If you will quit swcnrlng, I will, nnd If yon will bo calm, bo will I." Fnrnsworth felt the sly Irony of thl" nbsurdly vicarious proposition. Fnthcr Beret smiled with n kindly twinkle in his deep set eyes. "Well. If you don't use profnno lan guage, father, there's no telling how much you think lu expletives. What 1b your opinion of a man who tumbles n poor, defenseless girl Into prison nnd then refuses to let her bo decently cared for? How do you express your seir about lilm?" "My son, men often do things of which thoy ought to bo ashamed. I hoard of a young olllccr onco who mnl trepted a little girl thnt ho mot nt night lit tho street Whnt evil ho would have done, hnd not n passing kind hearted man reminded htm of his honor by n friendly punch in tho ribs, I dare not Bunnlse." "True, nnd your sarcasm goes homo as hard nB your fist did, fnthor. I know thnt I'vo been a sad dog all my life. Miss Itousslllon saved you by Hhooting me, nnd I lovo hot for It. Lny on, fnthor; I desorvo moro than you can give me." "Surely you do, my son, surely you do, but my love for you will not lot mo give you pain. Ah, wo prlestfl have to carry all men's loads. Our backs are broad, however; very broad, my con." "And your fists aro henvy, father; mighty heavy." Tho geutlo smllo again flickered over tho priest'H weather beaten fnco ns ho glnnced sldowlso nt Fnrnsworth nnd said: "Sometimes, sometimes, my son, a carnal weapon must break tho way for a spiritual one. But wo priests rarely hnvo much physical strength. Our de pendence Is upon" "To bo sure; certainly," Fnrnsworth Interrupted, rubbing his sldo. "Your dependoucc Is upon tho first thing that offers. I've had ninny a blow, but yours wns tho solldcst that ovor Jarred my mortal frame, Father Borot." Tho twain began to laugh. There Is nothing like a reminiscence to stir tip fresh iiuttua! sympathy. "If your Intorcostnls wore somowhnt sore for u time on account of a con tact with priestly knuckles, doubtless there soon sot lu n corresponding un easiness In tho region of your con science. Such shocks nro often vigor ously nlteratlvo nud tonic; eh, nvy son?" "You Jolted mo sober, fnthcr, and thou I wns nshamed of myself. But where docs oil your tremendous strength He? You don't look strong." Whllo speaking Fnrnsworth louned near Father Beret nnd grasped Ids arm. The young man started, for his fingers, Instead of closing nround n flabby, sliruiikcii oltl iiian'M limb, spread themsolves upon a hugo, knot ted mass of Iron muscles. With n quick movement Father Beret shook off Farusworth's band and said: "I am no Samson, my son. Non sum quails cram." Then, ns If dismissing a light subject for n graver 0110, ho sighed nud ndded, "I supposo thoro Is nothing that can bo dono for llttlo Alice." He called the tall, strong girl "llttlo Alice," and so she M-oincd tp lilm, Ho could not, without direct effort think of her as a magnificently maturing woman. She had always been his spoiled pot child, perversely set against the holy church, but denr to him never theless. "I caine to ask that very question, father," said Farnsworth. "And what do I know? Surely, my son. you see liihv utterly hopeless an old priest Is against all you British. And besldos" "Father Borot." Farnsworth hUBklly Interrupted "Is there a placo thai you know of anywhere In which Miss Itousslllon could bo hidden If" "My dear soul" "But, father, I mean It" "Moan what? Pardon nn old man's slow understanding. What nro you talking about, my son?" Father Borot glanced furtively about, thoii quick!) stepped through the door way, walked entirely around tho houe and cuKio lu again beforo Farnsworth could respond. Onco moro seated oir his stool he added Interrogatively; "Did you think you heard something moving outside?" "No." "You wore Haying something when I went out Pardon my Interruption." Farnsworth gavo tho priest a search, lng and not wholly confiding look, "You did not Interrupt mo, Fnthor Berot I was not speaking. Why aro you bo watchful? Aro you afraid of eavesdroDperti?" (Continued next Saturday.) n You can't always gauge a man's In telligence by the way that he plays a gamo of checkers. V