Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 266, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 March 1923 — Page 8
8
Aiice of Old Vincennes By Maurice Thompson COPYRIGHT, 1008, BY ALICE LEE THOMPSON
mo IN' HEBE ALICE, whom GASPARD ROUSSILLON had taken from the Indians when she was a child, did not remeber how they came in possession of her. A locket she had always worn bore a family crest and the name TAKLETON. LIEUT FITZHUGH BEVERLEY, an officer of the American Army during the Revolutionary War. who loved Alice, recognized the name as that of an old Virginian family. Because of lack of garrison, the rebel, CAPTAIN HELM, was forced lo surrender Vincennes to the English, but when HAMILTON, the Eug.ish General, detrended the American flag, which Alice had taken down la their presence. It could not be found. As Roussillon knew every one In the town. Hamilton threatened to have him shot at sunrise next day if he did not tell the name of the girl who had disappeared with the flag CAPTAIN FARNSWORTH of the English army had been dazzled by Alice when ho saw her pull down the flag and resolved to find her by all means. IT was not in Alice’s nature to hide from the English. They had held the town and fort before Helm came, and she had not found them troublesome under Abbott She did not know that M. Roussillon was a prisoner, the family taking It for granted that he had gone away to avoid the English. Nor was she aware that Hamilton felt so keenly the disappearance of the flag. What she did know, and it gladdened her greatly, was that Beverley had been well treated by his captor. With this In her heart she went about Roussillon place singing merry' snatches of creole songs; and when at the gate, which still hung lop-sided on account of Beverley’s force in shutting It, she came unexpectedly face to face with Captain Farnsworth, there was no great surprise on her part. He lifted his hat and bowed very politely: but a bold smile broke over hla somewhat ruddy face. He spokcln French, but In a drawing tone and ; with a bad accent: “How do you do. Mademoiselle: I am right glad to see you again." Alice drew back a pace or two. She was quick to understand his allusion, and she shrank from him. fearing j that he was going to Inquire about the , flag. “Don’t be afraid.” he laughed. “I am not so dangerous. I never did hurt a girl In all my life. In fact, I am fond of them when they’re nice.” "I am not In the least afraid.” she replied, assuming an air of absolute . dismissal, “and you don’t look a bit ferocious. Monsieur. You may on. If you please.” He flushed and bit his lip. probably to keep back some hasty retort, and thought rapidly for a moment. She looked straight at him with eyes that stirred and dazzled him He was handsome in a coarse way. like a fine young animal, well groomed, well fed. magnetic, forceful: but his hold ness, being of a sort to which she had not been accustomed, disturbed her vaguely and strangely. “Suppose that I don’t pass on?” he presently’ ventured, with just a suspicion of insolence in his attitude, but laughing until he showed teeth ol remarkable beauty and whiteness. “Suppose that I should wish to have a little chat with you. Mademoiselle?” “I have been told that there are men in the world who think themselves handsome, and clever, and bril liant, when in fact they are hut conceited simpletons," she remarked, rather indifferently, muffling herself In her fur wrap. "You certainly would be fairly good hitching-post for cur horses if you never moved.” Then she laughed out of the depth of her hood, a perfectly merry laugh, but not in the least flattering to Captain Farnsworthy’s vanity. He felt the scorn that It conveyed. His face grew redder, while a flash from hers marie him wish that he had been more gracious in his deportment. Here, to his surprise, was not a mere . creole girl of the wild frontier. Her superiority struck him with the force of a captivating revelation, under the light of which he blinked and winced. She laid a shapely hand on the < broken gate and pushed It open. “I beg your pardon. Mademoiselle:” his manner softened as he spoke: “I beg your pardon: but I came to speak to you about the flag—the flag y r ou took away from the fort." She had been half expecting this: but she was quite unprepared, and m spite of a!J sho could do showed embarrassment. "I have come to get the flag: if you will kindly bring it to me, or tell me where It Is I—” She quickly found words to Interrupt him with, and at the same time by a great effort pulled herself together. "You have come to the wrong place," she flung In. “I assure you that I haven’t the flag.” "You took It down. Mademoiselle." “Oh, did I?” “■With bewitching grace you did, Mademoiselle. I saw and admired. Will you fetch it, please?” ’’lndeed I won’t.” The finality In her voice belied her face, which beamed without a ray of stubbornness or perversity. He did not know how to Interpret her; but he felt that he had begun wrong. He half regretted that he had begun at all. “More depends upon returning that flag than you are probably aware of.” he presently said in a more serious tone. “In fact, the life of one of your townsmen, and a person of some importance here I believe, will surely be saved by It. You'd better consider, Mademoiselle. Y'ou wouldn’t like to cause the death of a man.” She did not fairly grasp the purport of his words: yet the change in his manner, and the fact that he turned from French to English In making the statement, aroused a sudden feeling of dread or dark apprehen sion in her breast. The first distinct thought was of Beverley—that some deadly danger threatened him. “Who Is It?” she frankly demanded. "It’s the mayor, the big man of your towm. Monsieur Roussillon. I think he calls himself. He’s got himself Into a tight place. He’ll be shot tomorrow morning if that flag is not produced. Governor Hamilton has so ordered, and what he orders is done.” “You jest. Monsieur." “I assure you that I speak the plain truth.” "Y'ou will probably catch Monsieur \ Roussillon before you shoot him.” She tossed her head. "He is already a prisoner in the fort.” Alice turned pale. “Monsieur, is this true?" Her voice had lost its happy tone. “Are you tell-
| lng me that to—” “Y'ou can verify it, Mademoiselle, by calling upon the commander at the fort. I am sorry that you doubt my . veracity. If you will go with me I ! will show you M. Roussillon a tightly bound prisoner.” Jean had crep out of the gate and was standing just behind Alice with ! his feet wide apart, his long chin ele- | vated, his head resting far back be- ■ tween his upthrust shoulders, his hands in his pockets, his uncanny eyes gazing steadily at Farnsworth. He looked like a-.deformed frog ready to Jump. Alice unmistakably saw truth in the captain’s countenance and felt it in his voice. The reality came to her with unhindered effect. M. Roussillcn’s life depended upon the return cf the kag. She put her hands together and for a moment covered her eyes with them. "I will go now, mademoiselle,” said Farnsworth; "but I hope you will be in great haste about returning the flag." Ho stood looking at her. He was profoundly touched and felt that to say more would bo too brutal even for his coarse nature; so he simply lifted his hat and went away. Jean took hold of Alice’s dress as she turned to go back into the house. “Is he going to take the flag' Can he find It? What does he want with it? What did you do with the flag, Alice?” he whined, in his peculiar, quavering voice “Where is It?” Her skirt dragged him along as she walked. "Where did you put it, Alice?” “Father Beret hid it under his floor,” she answered, involuntarily, and almost unconsciously. "I shall have to take it back and give It up.” “No—no —I wouldn't,” he quavered, dancing across the veranda as she quickened her pace and fairly spun him along. “I wouldn’t let ’em have It at all.” Alice's mind was working with lightning speed. Her imagination took strong grip on the situation so briefly and effectively sketched by Captain Farnsworth. Her decision formed itself quickly. “Stay here, Jean. I am going to the fort. Don’t tell Mama Roussillon a thing Bea good boy.” She was gone before Jean could say a word. She meant to face Hamilton at once and be sure what danger menaced M. Roussillon. Os course, the flag must be given up if that would save her foster father any pain; anti if his life were in question there could not be too great haste on her part. She ran direc'ly to the stockade arid breathlessly informed a sentinel that she must see Governoa Hamilton, into whose presence she was soon led. Captain Frans worth had preceded her. but a minute or two, and was present when she entered the miserable shed room where the commander was having another talk with M. Roussillon. The meeting was a tableau which would have been comical but for the pressure of its tragic possibilities. Hamilton, stern and sententious, i- tood frowning upon JL Roussillon, a ho sat upon the ground, his feet and hands tightly bound, a colossal statue of injured innocence. Alice, as soon as she saw M. Rous- : siilon, utered a cry of sympathetic • endearment ar.d flung herself tow.nd | him with open arms. She could not i !- :toh around his great shoulders; but ! she did her best to Include the whole | bulk. “Papa! Papa Roussillon'” she chlri iup-;-! between the kisses that she i showered upon his weather-beaten face. Hamilton and Farnsworth regarded the scene with curious and surprised interest. M. Roussillon began speaking rapidly: but being a Frenchman, he could not get on well with h!s tongue while his hands were tied. He i .-ouid shrug his shoulders; that helped I him some. "I am to be shot, ma petite,” he pathetically growled In his deep bass voice: "shot like a dog at sunrise tomorrow.” Alice kissed M. Roussillon’s rough [ cheek once more and sprang to her ; reel facing Hamilton. “You are not such a flend and brute as to kill Papa Rousslllion,” she cried. 'Why do you want to injure my poor, good papa?" “I believe you are the young lady that stole the flag?” Hamilton remarked, smiling contemptuously. She looked at him with a swift flash of indignation, he uttered these words: "I anr- not a thief. I could not deal what was mv own. 1 helped to make that flag. It was named after me. I took It because it was mine. You understand me, monsieur.” “Tell me where it is and your father’s Use will be spared.” She glanced at M. Roussillon. “No, Alice," said he, with a pathetically futile effort to make a flne gesture, "don’t do It. I am brave : enough to die. Y'ou would not have ! me act the coward.” No onlooker would have even re- ! motely suspected the fact that M. | Roussillon had chanced to overhear 1 a conversation between Hamilton and j Farnsworth, in which Hamilton stated i that he really did not Intend to hurt j M. Roussillon in any event; he merely * purposed to humiliate the “big wlnd- | bag!” “All, no: let me die bravely for honor’s sake —I fear death far less 'than dishonor! They can shoot me. ; my little one, but they cannot break my proud spirit.” He tried to strike his breast over his heart. "Perhaps it would be just as well to let him be shot,” said Hamilton gruffly, and with dry indifference. ”1 don’t fancy that he’s of much value to the community at best. He'll make a good target for a squad, and we need an example.” “Do you mean it'*—you ugly English brute —would you murder him?” ' she stamped her foot. “Not if 1 get that flag between now 1 and sundown. Otherwise I shall cer- ! tainly have him shot. It Is all in your j hands, mademoiselle. Y'ou can tell |me where the flag Is.” Hamilton ! smiled again with exquisite cruelty. Farnsworth stood by gazing upon Alice in open admiration. Her pres ence had power in it, to which he was very susceptible. “You look like a low, dishonorable, soulless tyrant.” she said to Hamilton, "and if you get my flag, how shall I know that you will ke-’p your promise and let Papa Roussillon go free?” “I am sorry to say that you will I have to trust me, unless you’ll take Captain Fanrsworth for security. The captain is a gentleman. I assure you. ill you stand good for my veracTry and sincerity, Captain Farns-
DOINGS OF THE DUFFS—
“> —i *' 1 ' 'fis, ) _ (. VjN-'lwA lip } g. )
*' uoip (I | MAD A FOOLISH MOTVIRR \J h (“j j- ~- I^- • —A WHO LET YOU WEAR. / ~fZl AO w//, 77 ) LONG PANTS TOO D 0 I#W // UA ( YOU'D LOOM AS tJ Tj I ' / / HI jmrfnSTPr! VM , /tip# fl s?sb' ' !v ' :J x;:> h gffjglß FT __ - - OU A mothers E.VES. JPw-Um., , r „„ J
THEM DAYS IS GONE FOREVER—
i’d uice to 6er ule’Re our of that -but a ukug-sroee used td ee THEM RAYS IS tAf.Dioioc To cure a ■sint’ie here’s a sale of ■socks a (taco u)eße oajiv GOME FO&E.VEZI!
i ” s—T- ia-g: ' * K i JmT I /VED BETTER HAvVE A * c 331 !Q ■ > T~r- LANTERN BURNING every) ~ :Qt tj \ nic,HT and leave the J “ y < _ - SO WE CAN OETTHEj | .// i I (nYino’-th ese U—— - hose cart //...' I I YOU DohT i IMPicoVEKENTp QUICKER- FWE \j j •• . L U J KNOW WHAT MEANS rOORE A NIGHT CALL^/ l J . —' T ow/nI to two fires in the past week, MAYOR SIMON DOOLITTLE FIQUISES ITS _ HIGH TIME TO MAKE. SOME NEEDED _ llift E II IIfEiSEE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE FIRE HOOSE^ I ill! j
worth?" The young man smiled and bowed. Alice felt the Irony; and her perfectly frank nature preferred to trust rather than distrust the sincerity of others. She looked at Farnsworth, who smiled encouragingly. ‘‘The flag is under Father Beret’s floor, - ” she said. "Uniter the church floor?” "No, apder the floor of his house " his house?”
OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS
THE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY
She gave full directions how to reach it. "Untie the prisoner,” Hamilton ordered, and it was quickly done. “Monsieur Roussillon, I congratulate you upon your narrow escape. Go to tlie priest’s house, Monsieur, and bring me that flag. It would be well, I assure you, not to be very long about It. Captain Farnsworth, you will 3end a guard with Monsieur Roussillon, a guard of honor, fitting
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
his official dignity, a corporal and two men. The honorable Mayor of this important city should not go alone upon so Important an errand. He must have his attendants.” "Permit mo to go myself and get it,” said Alice. "I can do it quickly. May I, jjlease, Monsieur?” Hamilton looked sharply at her. "Why certainly, Mademoiselle, certainly. Captain Farnsworth, you will escort the youhg lady.”
A Midnight Solo
''iSE ViWC j r ) ( } TU jsr ALL tIESEMDS- MO\JO t s-lA You APE -VoO'Qc POSTH. CM, I DOMT / ) VMUfcM TV)O StfYS LUfE YOU )Y BoT ocEoCY , UEAToM=\ilEkmy SECAUSE ji, kMCOj- M L COWE To YEE us I MSLT s) { YOU MPJER LAUSVA . —j - I r _ J \ VO O iAOSU - ( SOYCU,MSYER. J / Jj 1 \WOUID TICUiIE t lu VOoQ , '•A .''! a lln k WDIf ST \IJAA-A*TLJiS ft t . V \ tas? T* * ° I /vH , i|lji o' H-Er 66 .< ~ ~ _r J wu sCTvxrg /
Sing 'l’llis At The Soda-Fountain
C? OH MY PEAR, TS9- \T PLACES Wfi-UA - Ll'TTEkl Y ABOiTT 'A X DOkfTTvAiklK I \ US IM SUCH AH \o\ "To“TMOSET\aJO U 9 SUV6?w " vMLL BE ABLE To W EMPARRASSuJG ; CUPTAIM HAVOKE-K' 1 STAV HERE UouJ POStYIOiJ < - r M VJVN ' siucetue matop's Awaked To death eveU afraid To I . . , VHTNTBAT To go ouTror ffad MEUTioUTVoID Tg 4 CASE t -• wui Y'KMOVJ PEOPLE MAV TBIUK TAM COk!- / tSiMK THEM UaD \ TAIMK I VJa-3 A VEVikJS A TUG - OF / \<BOMETUiU<3To'Do\ \ PART/To THAT T4EF 'DEMOU V — iT y -9A t A DREADFUL RUtA / SPIRTS tki MV / % A I I I. I- .... . —. 1 . . . .. . ..... ' VlElgrtf OFIttE
"It Is not necessary'. Monsieur,” “Oh, yes, It Is necessary, my dear young lady, very necessary; so let’s not have, further words. I’ll try to entertain his honor, the mayor, while you go and get the flag. I fell sure, Mademoiselle, that you'll return with It in a few r minutes. But you must not go alone.” Alice set forth immediately, and Farnsworth, try as hard as he would, could never reach her swift
FRECKLES AND IDS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER
OUR BOARDINO HOUSE— By AHERN
was her gait. When they arrived at Father Beret’s cabin, she turned and said with imperious severity; "Don’t you come in; you stay' out here; I’ll get It in a minute.” Farnsworth obeyed her command. The door was wide open, but Father Beret was not Inside; he had gone to see a sick child }n the outskirts of the village. Alice looked about hesitated. She knew the very
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1923
—By ALLMAN
—By AL POSEN
puncheon that, covered the flag; but she shrank from lifting It. Them seemed nothing else to do, however; -so. after some trouble with herself, she knelt upon the floor and turned the heavy slab over with a great thump. The flag did not appear. She peeped under the other puncheons. It was not there. The only thing visible was a little ball of paper fragments not larger than an egg. (To Be Continued,)