Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 276, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 March 1923 — Page 8

8

Alice of Old Vincennes By Maurice Thompson COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY ALICE LEE THOMPSON

BEGIN HERE ALICE, foster daughter of GASPARD ROl>sir.L< N. was loved by LIEUT. FITZHt'GH BEVERLEY. American Army officer, who with CAPTAIN HELM surrendered Vincennes to the English general. GOVERNOR HAMILTON, during the Revolutionary IVar. Beverley t scaped, but was captured by Indians whom Hamilton had sent in pursuit. SIMON KENTON and ONCLE JAZON. his companions, got away in the night. It was agreed that Beverley should be made to run the gantlet. In the meantime Roussillon, also a fugntive iron Vincennes, stole home to see his fami y when Hamilton's patrolmen rushed in. Roussillon escaped and Alice wounded nnp assailant before LIEUT. FARNSWORTH arrived. Because of his infatuation lor Alice it was with reluctance that Farnsworth surrendered her to Hamilton. O you’ve been raising hell • • again, have you. Miss?" he growled, with an ugly frown darkening his face. "I beg your pardon." said Farnsworth. "M.ss Roussillon was not to blame for—” "In your eyes she'd not be to blame, sir. If she burned up the fort and all of us in It," Hamilton gruffly interrupted. "Miss, what have you been doing? What are you here for? Captain Farnsworth, you will please state the particulars of the trouble that I have just heard about. And I may as well notify you that I wish to hear no special lover's pleading in this girl's behalf.” Farnsworth's face whitened with anger; he bit his lip and a shiver ran through his frame; but he had to conquer the passion. In a few words, blunt and direct as musket-balls, he told all the circumstances of what lad taken place, making no concealments to favor Alice, but boldly blaming the officer of the patrol. Lieutenant Barlow. for losing his head and attacking a young girl in her own home. “I will hear from Barlow.” said Hamilton, after listening attentively to the story. "But take this girl and confine her. Show her no favors. I hold you responsible for her until tomorrow morning. You can retire.” There was no room for discussion. Farnsworth saluted and turned to Alice. "Come with me." he gently said. Hamilton looked after them as they went out of his room, a curious smile playing around his firmly set lips. "She's the most beautiful vixen that I ever saw." he thought. “She doesn't look to be a French girl, either—decidedly English." He shrugged his shoulders, then laughed dryly. "Farnsworth's as crazy as can be. tlie beggar: In love with her so deep that he can't see out. By Jove, she is a beauty! Never saw such eyes. And plucky to beat the devil. I'll bet my head Barlow’ll be daft about her next!” Btlll. notwithstanding the lightness of hts Inward comments. Hamilton regarded the incident as rather serious. He knew that thf French inhabitants were secretly Ills bitter enemies, yet probably willing, if he would humor their peculiar social, domestic and commercial prejudices, to refrain from active hostilities, and even to aid him in furnishing his garrison with a large amount of needed -supplies. The duneer Just now was twofold; his Indian allies were deserting him. ar.d a flotilla loaded with provisions and ammunition from Detro.t had failed to arrive. H ■ might, if the French rose against him ar.d were joined by the Indians, have great difficulty defending tlje fort. It was clear that M Roussillon had more influence with both creoles and savages than any other person save Father Beret. Urgent policy dictated that these two men should somehow be won over. But to do this It would be necessary to treat Alice in such a way that her arrest would aid. Instead of operating against the desired result—a thing not easy to manage. Hamilton was not a man of fine scruples, but he may have been, probably was. better than our American historians have made him appear. His besetting weakness, which, as a matter of course, he regarded as the highest flower of efficiency, was an uncontrollable temper, a lack of fine human sympathy and an inability to forgive. In his calmest moments, when prudence appealed to him. he would , resolve to use diplomatic means; hut no sooner was his opinion questioned or his purpose opposed than anger and the thirst for revenge overpowered every gentler consideration. He returned to his bed that night fully resolved upon a pleasant and successful Interview with Alice next morning. Captain Farnsworth took his fair prisoner straightway from Hamilton's presence to a small room connected with a considerable structure in a distant angle of the stockade. Neither he nor Alice spoke on the way. With a huge wooden key he unlocked the door and stepped aside for her to enter. A dim lamp was burning within, its yellowish light flickering over the scant furniture, which consisted of a comfortable bed. a table with some books on It. three chairs, a small looking glass on the wall, a guitar and some articles of men’s clothing hanging here and there. A heap of dull embers smouldered in the fireplace. Alice did not falFor SSeeploss, Nervous People kgAv the Remarkable Effect of WheelNerve Vitalixer That Brings and Restful Sleep Without Alcohol or Narcotics For Free Trial Bottle fy . j some reason, you may not know your nerves are exhausted and you sleep well. Are you going to wear ont and be a wreck? Mrs. Minnie Hildebrand. Box 124, Lafayette. Ohio, writes: •‘lt was a glad day for me when I sent for the sample of Wheeler’s Nerve Vitalixer. f got so bad and nervous I jerked and shook like a leaf. I coold not walk alone With the first dose of your medicine I began to feel like myself. I am so much better every way and 1 sleep so good. They all say, ‘How much better you look.’ ” Thousands wreck their health with sleep drugs. One good night of sound, restful sleep, by using Wheeler’s Nerve Vitalixer. will go a long way to repair the system provided there Is no reaction from the use of drugs. Even in extreme cases the recoveries from using this splendid medicine will be a message of good cheer to others now suffering the agony of nervous, sleepless nights. Wheeler’s Nerve Vitalixer does not contain alcohol or narcotics and has been in safe and effective use for 30 years. SI.IO per bottle at drug stores or by f epaid express. Fill out and mail coupon b**OW for a SAMJT.v hoU! <' S cents to help pity cost of mailing. Address The J. W. Brant Cos., Dept. 24, Albion, Mich. FOR FREE TRIAL BOTTLE ,T. W. Brant Cos., Dept. 24. Albion, Mich Send me a Free Trial Bottle in plain wrapper of Wheeler’s Nerve Vitalixer and instruction what to do. Naum St. Address City State , —Advertisement.

ter at the threshold, but promptly entered her prison. “I hope you can be comfortable.” said Farnsworth In a low tone. “It Is the best I can give you.” "Thank you." was the answer spoken quite as if he had handed her a glass of water or picked up her handkerchief. He held the door a moment, while she stopped, with her back toward him, in the middle of the room; then she heard him close and lock It. The air was almost too warm after her exposure to the biting wind and cold dashes of rain. She cast off her outer wraps and stood by the fireplace. At a glance she comprehended that the place was not the one she had formerly occupied as a prisoner, and that it belonged to a man. A long rifle stood in a corner, a bullet pouch and powder horn hanging on a projecting hickory ramrod, a heavy fur top coat lay across one of the chairs. Alice felt her situation bitterly enough: but she was not of the stuff that turns to water at the touch of misfortune. Pioneer women took hardships as a matter of course, and mot calamity with admirable fortitude. There was no wringing of hands, no frantic wailing, no hollow, despairing gioan. While life lasted hope flourished. even in most tragic surroundings, and not infrequently succor came' at the last verge of destruction, as the fitting rewrad of unconquerable courage. A girl like Alice must be accepted In the spirit of her time and surroundings. She was born amid experiences scarcely credible now. and bred in an area and an atmosphere of incomparable dangers. Meantime Farnsworth, who had giveh Alice his own apartment, took what -cst he could on the cold ground under a leaky shed hard by. His wound, not yet altogether healed, was not benefited by the exposure. In due time next morning Hamilton ordered Alice brought to his office, and when she appeared he was smiling with as near an approach to affability as his disposition would permit. He rose and bowed like a courtier. ”1 hope you rested well. Mademoiselle." he said in his best French. He Imagined that the use of her language would be agreeable to begin with. The moment that Alice saw him wearing that shallow veneering of pleasantness on his never prepossessing visage, she felt a mood of perversity come over her. She, too. smiled and he her expression for one of reciprocal amenity. She noticed that her sword was on the table. "I am sorry. Monsieur, that I cannot say as much ta. you," she glibly responded. “If you lay upon a bed of needles the whole night through your rest was better than you deserved, own sleep was quite refreshing, thunk you.” Instantly Hamilton's choler rose. He tried to suppress it at first: but when he saw Alice actually laughing, and Farnsworth (who had brought her ini biting his lip furiously to keep from adding an uproarious guffaw, he lost all hold of himself. He unconsciously picked up the rapier and shook it till its blade swished. "I might have known better than to expect decency from a wench of your character." he said. “I hoped to do you a favor; but I see that you are not capable of accepting kindness politely." I am sure. Monsieur, that I have but spoken the truth plainly to you. You would not have me do otherwise. I hope.” Her voice, absolutely witching in its softness, freshness and suavity, helped the assault of her eyes, while her dimples twinkled and her hair shone. Hamilton felt his heart move strangely; but he could not forbear saying in English: "If you are so devilish truthful. Miss, you probably will tell me where the flag is that you. stole and hid.” It was always the missing fanner that came to mind when he saw her. "Indeed I will do nothing of the sort." she promptly relied. "When you see that flag again you will be a prisoner and I will wave it high over your head.” She lifted a hand as she spofce and made the motion of shaking a banner above him. It was exasperation sweetened almost to delight that took hold of the Briton. He liked pluck, especially in a woman; all the more if she was beautiful. Yet the very fact that he felt her charm falling upon him set him hard against her. not as Hamilton the man, but as Hamilton the commander at Vincennes. “You think to fling yourself upon me as you have upon Captain Farnsworth." he said, with an insuiting leer and in a tone of prurient innuendo. "I am not susceptible, mv dear.” This more for Farnsworth's benefit than to insult her. albeit he was not in a mood to care. "You are a coward and a liar!" she exclaimed, her face flushing with not tliame. "You stand here.” she quickly added, turning fiercely upon Farnsworth. “and quietly listen to such words! You, too, are a coward if you do not make him retract! Oh you English are low brutes!” Hamilton laughed; but Farnsworth looked dark and troubled, his glance going hack and forth from Alice to his commander, as if another word would cause him to do something terrible. "I rather think I've heard all that I care to hear from you. Miss," Hamilton presently said. "Captain Farnsworth. you will see that the prisoner is confined in the proper place, which. I uggest to you. is not your sleeping quarters, sir." “Colonel Hamilton." said Farnsworth tn a husky voice, “I slept on the ground ' under a shed last night In order that j Miss Roussillon might be somewhat J comfortable." "Humph! Well, see that you do not ■do it again. This girl is guilty of harboring a spy and resisting a lawful attempt of my guards to capture him. Confine her in the place prepared for prisoners and see that she stays there until I am ready to fix her punishment." “There is no place fit for a young girl to stay in.” Farnsworth ventured. “She can have no comfort or ” "Take her along, sir; any place is good enough for her so long as she bej haves like. a ” I "Very well." Farnsworth bluntly in- | terrupted, thus saving Alice the stroke jof a vile comparison. "Come with me. | please. Miss Roussillon." | Ho pulled her toward the door, then dropped the arm ho hud grasped and murmured an apology. She followed him out. holding her head high. No one looking on would have suspected that a sinking sensation in her heart made it difficult for her to walk, or that her eyes, shining like stars, were so inwardly clouded with dts- | tress that she saw her way but dimly. | It was a relief to Hamilton when I Helm a few minutes later entered the ' room with something breezy to say. •'What’s up now. it I may ask?” the lolly American demanded. "What’s this I hear about trouble with the French women? Have they begun a revolution?" "That elephant. Gaspard- Roussillon, came back Into town last night." said Hamilton sulkily. “Well, he went out again, didn’t he?” “Yes. but " “Stepped on somebody’s toe first. eb°” "The guard tried to capture him. and that girl of his wounded Lieutenant Barlow in the neck with a sword. Roussillon fought like ,a tiger and the men swear that the devil himself appeared ’’ the scene to help the Frenchman out.” "Moral: Be generous in your dealings | with Frenchmen and Frencrwomen and so get the devil on your side.” "I've got the girl a prisoner, and I

DOINGS OP THE DUFFS—

r >{' SHE HAS shp is rONIINO f '( DAUNT, WE JUST WEIGHED 'N 1 STILL NOW* \ ' f R LITTLE SISTER WEIGHS^ / THREE QUARTERS I VOUR LITTLE SISTER AND SHE] |Y t CAN'T TELL WHAT } 7 EIGHT AND THREE quarter / lOF A POUND! That’s just > quarters of a pound- —Us* j when vou jiggle / E V Pounds .- J 'V FINE' JC\ ) WHAT DO VoU THINK OF >S AROUND LIKE / -f~~j . ’ T wn9>-

.. ; .- _ I * f nekY- spe\_\_ j fc *A 'y / //> > TWt WORD X WfMFFf'/'/// ( archaeologist. ) TT" PT~ I T “The. foot op yUe class ? - ~ r '- -l?. _. —s- ' Vs I --"==7

THEM DAY'S iS GONE FOREVER—

! ! wars LATEST BEAD - I THIAIK HE’S COUSHeo WAYS'-SOCH RARe PAOSKTET? HAP A LOT Os (£(3SI"? g’fisg&Js'%JX3L *

-Mr' il I \3\ j -1 . - ©JH XY \Y\ <"• *ir; "- •■ .?' ill iSuMMECs) (XwGf S-& XS ~\ I t i!f“3L\|| : -~ , h==£fS f l>p)A />_]' i , 'll ?- : / f 0M 1 - :,7mi •'— vp/y nisi c=— f ”| yvQQ ETSS&Eirs.®y< X# H O -jf-f t Q rt O | | T|| l A DRUMMER. PROM A CHICAGO SEED HOUSE, TRIPPED ON A BROKEN BOARD AT'THE CENTRAL V HOTEL TOPAY . HIS KNEE AND SAMPLE Case -T J

swear to you that I’ll have her shot this time if ” “Why not shoot her yourself? You oughtn't to shirk a dirty job like that and force it upon your men.” Hamilton laughed and elevated his shonlders as if to shake off an annoying load. Just then a young officer, with a white bandage around his neck, entered and saluted. He was a small soft-haired, blue-eyed man of reckless bearing, with marks of dissipation iharply cut into his face. He saluted, smiling self-consciously.

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

THE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY

“Well, Barlow,” said Hamilton, "the kitten soratohod you, did she?” "Yes. slightly, and I don't think I've been treated fairly in the matter, sir." “How so?" ‘ I stood the brunt and now Captain Farnsworth gets the prize.” He twisted his mouth in mock expression of maudlin disappointment. “I’m always cheated out of the sweets. I never get anything for gallant conduct on the field." “Poor boy! It's a shame. But I say, Lieutenant, has Koussillon really escaped, or is hq hidden somewhere in

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

town? Have you been careful?" "Oh, it's the Indians. They all swear by these Frenchmen. You can't get any help from them against a fellow like Koussillon. In fact, they aid him; he's tnong thorn now." Moral again." Helm interposed; "keep :i the good side of the French!" "That’s sensible talk, sir,” assented Barlow. . Bali!” exclaimed Hamilton. “You might as well talk of keeping on the good side of the American traitors—a bloody murrain seize the whole race!"

Weighing In

ItctfD lUMllTc* *1 { VHPi -rtpomuy J ] FU Y J /\ V gee- t sondes f / / h MCM\ES ? \ L / II IP UES GONViA. <%%%§/ —"TL J 1)0 AWYTWIM(S ) <****. C y V J K l-'cst-mur'Q J

Breathe This oil Your Bassoon

ff\ aIBLL MARtWA, M'DEAR- S 1W f af-t^r uext moMTi voO Will / j ha~Ha~ YX asvlum iU . ; - MOT HAVE OCCASIOkjTo ORDER SHE DoESKiV ? EGSS _ W a-^ A . > EGGS FROM VoUR GROCER- PAVAkNMORE THOSE CACKLES • i Uave a flock of gemuime ATreiJtioKi of ms will cuimese cUouj vueU chickens TO dM R be vjokjpers A l\Zm£x$ GB jj 30 oP9r^*PS \ I '^ kGß —, MEET THE DEMAUPS j AUPTvAE SMALL | T^f THIS HOUSEHOLD C/ PMR or I f'3 %7 —j ” I '''^•S* at! ’ "'■■*'■**•* lffu& WA3SRS WORDS FALL OKI DEAF EARS-T '

"That's what I say,” chimed In the Lieutenant, with a sly look at Helm. "They have been telling me a cock-and-bull story concerning the affair at the Roussillon cabin," Hamilton said, changing his manner. "What is this about a disguised and wonderful man who rushed in and upset the whole of you. I want no romancing; give me the facts." * Barlow's dissolute countenance became troubled. “The facts,” he said, speaking with serious deliberation, “are not clear. It

FRECKLES AND lIIS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AHERN

was like a clap of thunder, the way that man performed. As you say, he 01d fling the whole squad all of a heap, and It was done that quickly." ha snapped his thumb and finger demonstratively with a sharp report, “nobody could understand It.” Hamilton looked at his subaltern with a smile of unlimited contempt and said: "A pretty officer of His Majesty's army, you are, Lieutenant Barlow! First a slip of a girl shows herself your superior with the sword and woundsyou, then a single man wipes up thA

THURSDAY", MARCH 29, 19l

—ByALLMA*

—By AL POSES

floor of a house with you and your guard, depriving you at the same time of both vision and memory, so that you cannot even describe your assailant!" "He was. dressed like a priest,” mastered Barlow, evidently frightened at his commander’s scathing comment. "That was all there was to see.” "A priest! Some of the men say the devil. I wonder " Hamilton hesitated and looked at the floor. “This Father Beret, he Is too old for suoh a thrfwft isu i ho?" (To Bo coaetnoadj