The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-02-26

VI tHc Othcio iOiloNtu HtIS. n yOunE
man, a boy, was coming lightly down
the slope, and something in his figure
and movement made 1t impossible
even at a distance that 1t should be
any one OF the village. lie saw them
and came forward, and his cap was
of quickly as he glanced az Alike
But with u keen look at the three. II
was Francois to whom he spoke.
rs this France?" he asked.
but yes, Monsieur" Francois an.
swered wondering-and in a moment
he wondered mor The strange boy.
his cap flung from him. dropped on
his knees and kissed the grass that
grew over the Roman governors foun.
dations. With that he was standing
again, looking at them unashamed
from his quiet gray eyes.
ut ia the first time | have touched
the soil Of France since | was seven
years old" he stated, not as II to
excuse his act. but az II explaining
something historical. And was silent.
The strange boy talked very little:
they could not recollect that he asked
questions, after his first startling
question; yet here was Alike, the very
spirited and proud little Alike, anxious
to make him understand everything OF
their W affairs.
Il am Alike" she began - and
stopped short, seized with shyness.
Was II courtesy to explain to the
young monsieur about her distin.
guished father? She round herself
suddenly in an agony of confusion.
Then the stranger made n low bow
and spoke in the gentlest friendly
tones.
1T is enough. II is q charming
name, Mademoiselle Alike. | believe
| shall nov think II the most charm.
ing name in France"
"She has more OF n name than that,
however, Monsieur" and Francois
stepped across the grass and stood by
the little girl, her knight, unconscious
Of the part he played. 1T is a very
grand name. the other one. For our
seigneur, the father Of Alike, is Mon.
sieur the Baron Gaspard Gourgaud, a
general Of Napoleon himself: was in.
deed with the Emperor at st. Helena
Francois had no false modesty, no
self-consciousness; he felt that he had
placed Alixe's standing now In the
best light possible. The strange boy
felt II, too. 1t seemed, for he started
as Francois spoke OF Napoleon; his
reserved face frightened and his car
was off and sweeping low as he bowed
again to Alike more deeply. Francois
was delighted. It was in him to en-
joy dramatic effect, as II is in most
Frenchmen. He faced about to Pietro
"This one, Monsieur" he went on
much taken with himself as master Of
ceremonies, is Monsieur the Marquis
Zappi of Italy. His father also fought
for the great captain"
The quiet strange boy interrupted
swiftly. 81 know" he said. "Of the
Italian corps under Prince Eugene,
also on the Stan of Lannes. | know
the name WELL" and he had Pietro'i
hand in a firm grasp and was looking
into the lads embarrassed face with
his dreamy keen eyes.
The children. surprised. we're yet
too young to wonder that a boy scarce
ly older than themselves should have
the army OF Napoleon at his fingers
ends; he gave them no time to think
about II.
zone sees, without names. that you
are of the %noblesse." he said simply
embracing the three in his sleepy
glance. He turned to Francois. "And
you, Monsieur the spokesman? You
are also of a great Bonapartist house?'
Francois stood straight and slim
his well.knit young body in his mill
tary dress was carried with all the
assurance of an a%ristocrat. He smiled
his brilliant exquisite smile into the
older boys face.
"Me-I am a peasant" he said cheer
fully. 81 have no house"
ale is a peasant-yes. But he Il
our brother, Pietro's and mine, and nc