The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-03-12

color flushing his happy face. Then,
"Battista," asked the marquis. how
did you get the letter which you
brought mademoiselle?"
MY father" answered Battista la.
conically.
How did your father get it?"
From the signor prisoner, my sig.
nor"
Alike and Pietro looked at him at
tentlvely, not comprehending by what
means this was possible. Pietro, re-
membering the little Battista of old,
vaguely remembered that he was in
capable of initiative In speech. One
must pump him painfully.
WAS your father in the prison
where the signor is confned?" Alike
asked.
The little Battista turned his eyes
on her a second, approvingly, but
briefly. They went back without delay
TO their affair of %devouring the face
Of his master. But he answered
promptly. yes, signorina; he is there
always"
Always" Pietro demanded in
alarm, rs Battista a prisoner"
But no, my signor."
what then? Battista, try to tell
us"
So adjured. little Battista made a
violent effort. "He is one of the Jail
ers. my signor."
"Jailers? For the Au%strians?" The
face of the marquis took all the Joy
full light out Of the face of little Bat
tista.
MY signor," he stammered, ut
could not be helped. He was there. He
knew the castle. They forced him at
first. and-and It came to be So"
"Knew the castle!" Pietro repeated.
What CASTER"
Battista's eyes turned to his Mas
ter's like those Of a faithful dog, trust.
ing but not understanding. what cas-
tie. my signor? Charlottesville sig
nor's own castle-what other?"
A sharp exclamation from Alike
summed up everything. Your castle
is conflscated; they use it as a prison.
Francois is a prisoner there. Pietro!
All these years--ln your own home!"
81 never dreamed OF that" Pietro
spoke, thinking aloud. Every other
in Austria and Italy | have tried
to find him in. | never dreamed of
Castelforte."
At the end Of the interview the little
Battista put his hand into his breast
pocket and brought out another letter,
folded. Would mademoiselle
have him instructed where to find the
of the signor prisoner? He had
promised to put this into her own
hands. He must do II before he
touched food.
And Jean Philippe M~oison, who had
discreetly back of the nearest
stone vase, not missing a syllable, was
given orders, and the huge little Bat
was sent Off UP the stone steps
between the scarlet flowers, up the
slope of lawn. in charge of the
one.
Half an hour later the general
up from the village, walked
thoughtfully through the beech
wood. his face hardly older than when
no had come to Vicques, but sterner
and sadder; his still soldiery gait less
Duoyant than 1t had been five years
ago.
He saw Alike and Pietro coming
toward him, running light.
leartedly, calling to him with excited
gay voices. 1t stabbed the generals
heart; a quick thought came Of that
who had been always with them,
dead or worse, of that other whom
two had forgotten. And with
hat they were upon him, and Alike
vas kissing him, hugging him, push
ng a letter into his hand, up his
into his face--anywhere.
"Father-good news-the best news
almost the bestl Father, be ready
or the good news!"
81 am ready" the general growled
mpatiently. What In this foolery2