The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-03-26

Hawk again, my Henry-that horse
will complain of you soon. the strong
beast. What Is 1t you are In such a
hurry to say that one must race across
country so of a good hour OF the morn
ing?"
But Henry was too intent to talk
nothings. ut is important" he said
briefly. I'VE must have a captain for
the company at once, and II must be
you"
Sabre de bois!" smiled Francois ra-
diantly. THE good idea! can not
imagine a fellow more beautiful to be
a captain than /. Can you?"
But Henry was altogether serious
minded. you will consent them" he
threw at him. 81 did not think OF II
till this morning, but | see 1t should
be done at nee. We shall all want
you, of course, and want nobody else"
Now Henry Hampton, not having
thought OF the question TIL this morn.
ing, had no right to make this state.
ment in a full round voice of certainty.
Yet he knew every man in the COM.
pany, and he felt in himself the force
to answer for them. He answered
for them without a hesitation. And
with that Francois laughing face grew
grave. He pushed the letters from him
and got up and came across TO the boy
and bent and put his arm around his
shoulder as he sat still and stiff,
These French ways of his friend
pleased Henry immensely, but they
also petrifed him with embarrass-
ment. Francois was not in the least
embarrassed. He patted the broad
young shoulder affectionately.
my good Henry" he said gently.
What a loyal heart-and what a reck-
less one! How then can you answer
for all those messieurs?"
Harry flung up his head and began.
"They w.ll-if they do not | shall make
them"-but Francois stopped the bold
words.
mo" he said quietly-yet with a
tone Of hnality which the other recog.
HAUL hAN III " NC htNCoDdl . anu
the messieurs are my good friends;
they will treat me with honor; they
will be better to me than / deserve. |
know that we'll" There were so few
people in the world who did not, to
Francois, seem his good friends. But,
my Henry. | will not be the captain.
| have thought of that, If you have not.
Look here"
lie swung TO the desk and slipped
out a drawer, and had a long folded
paper in his hands. He tapped It
open before Harry's eyes. 1t was a
formal notice to Mr.. Henry Hampton.
junior, that the Jefferson troop of Vir,
ginia had elected him as its captain.
Harry flushed violently and his
mouth quivered with pleasure, with
nervousness, with %unhappinees. The
other watched him eagerly. All this
affair Of the troop he had done to
give pleasure to Harry Hampton, his
friend. 1t vas the only way in which
the lame boy could be on equal terms
with the other boys, and Francois had
determined from the first that every
JOY which could be cleaned out OF
it he should have. To be the captain
ought to be a Joy.
III" Harry cried and then was silent
and then spoke sorrowfully. But
it can not BET"
Can not be?" demanded Francois.
why not?"
There was a moments silence and
with a painful effort the words came.
"My-misfortune. | am lame"
And Francois cried out, "Henry-all
that is nonsense! What of It? 1t is
a thing you do as well as the best
riding. Who has such a seat, such
hands as you? Why not then, / de-
mand?" And went on. 1T is settled.
| have talked to them all-see the sig.
natures. You are the captain, my
Henry-and | am your right hand and
your left hand-yes and your feet, too,
whenever you need me-"
But" said Harry. dazed, ut is really
your place; don't you want to be cap
tain?" he shot at the other boyishly.
And with that Francois arm was
about his shoulder again as the two