The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-02-19

ly there below the gravity. And II
was this monsieur who had saved the
life Of the seigneur; that, after all,
was the whole matter. Francois vast
ed little time thinking OF other peoples
feeling toward himself. He was much
too busy with a joyful wonder Of his
own at the ever new goodness OF his
world. To the marquis, who hardly
noticed him, he proceeded to consti-
tute himself n shadow. At the first
sign of a service to be done he was
III and at It; always quicker. always
more intelligent than the footman.
you have thrown a charm over my
boy Francois. ~Alessandro," the gem
eral said. well pleased. And the mar
quis answered thoughtfully:
ut is n boy out of the common. |
believe, Gaspard. At first ! thought
It n mistake that you should raise a
child Of his class to the place you
have given him. but / see that you
understand what you are about. He
Is worthy of a good fate"
The day came when, on the next
morning. the Marquis zappi was due
to start on his long journey to Amer
lea. Out on the lawn, in the shadow
Of the beech trees he sat and watched
his son playing ball with little Alike
Then he was aware Of Francois stand
ing before him. The boy held some.
thing In his closed hand, and with that
he opened his fingers and stretched
1t to the marquis. The marquis looked
inquiringly at the yellow metal.
"Wha Is this?" he asked; he was
prepared now to be surprised by this
boy about once In so often, so he sim
ply suspended judgment at a thing
unexpected.
1T is for you, Monsieur the Mar.
quis." Francois smiled radiantly and
continued to present the ten.franc
piece. ut is my own; the seigneur
gave It to me on my birthday. and my
father said ii was to be mine to do
with as / chose. / choose To give II
to you, Monsieur the Marquis. So
that you may have plenty OF money!
know well what 1t is not to have
enough money"
The brown fist was outstretched, the
gold piece glittering in II, and still
the marquis stared %speechless. Never
in his life had any one presumed to
offer him money. He looked up at the
face Of the little peasant; It shone
with peace and good will; he put out
his hand and took the gold piece and
looked at 1t a long minute. and drew
q leather case from his pocket and
placed 1t within carefully, and put
II away.
THANK you, Francois" said the mar
quls. And then he considered again
the shining little face. why have
you done this, Francols?" he asked.
why do you always-do 80 much for
me?"
THAT thing in Russia, for my
seigneur. When you saved the life
of my seigneur."
oh" said the marquis and stared
down at the boy anxiously explaining.
Il have been afraid that | could
never show you how | thanked you
for the life of my seigneur. But |
will do more. ! will be a friend OF
Pietro. He is six months younger
than /; / "a teach him how to climb
and how to fight and how to take care
of himself. And | will, because OF
that thing you did. Because, too. |
think well of Pletro and besides be
cause of your kindness to me-"
"My kindness to your"
"Yes, Monsieur the Marquis-be-
cause you have been so kind to me-"
And the marquis, in the silence OF
his soul, was ashamed.
The next day he went. As they
stood, gathered in the big carved door,
way, he told them all goodby and
lifted his boy and held him without
a word. AS he set him down he turned
toward the carriage, but in a fash
he turned back as II by a sudden In
spiration, and laid a hand on little
Francois shoulder.
you will remember that you prom.
Used to be a friend to Pietro, Fran
yes, Monsieur the Marquis, al
ways" the child answered gravely.