South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-20

as my own son; you know il. You
are next 10 AliXe-before Pietro-ah,
yes, much before PietrO. You Will I'M
derstand IL is not from any lack OF af-
lection that 1 put him before you in
this"
Francois. high-strung. deeply stir
red, felt his hand throb suddenly in
the generals, and the general felt it,
too.
Il am hurting you" the deep voice
said-and only enc or two people in
the world had heard that voice so full
or tenderness. I am hurting my son.
But listen. Francois. 1t was the
dearest wish Of Pietro's father-it has
been my dearest wish for years-that
Alike and Pietro should one day be
married. 1t is that which would be
the crown of a friendship forged In
the fires of battle-fields, tempered in
the freezing starving snow of Russia,
finished hope never finished in all
eternity"
The generals great frame was shak-
ing; silence cut across his speech.
He went on.
such a marriage would carry on
ourselves. our friendship, and keep it
a living thing on the earth long after
we had left. The thought is thrilling
TO me; it is my greatest wish. Do you
see now why / was troubled when yes
terday I saw you in the garden, kiss
Alixe's hand? / was afraid the child
had given her heart TO you, and that
my dream, Alessandro's and mine
he spoke this as if to himself
might never be realized"
Francois. his head bent, his eyes on
the generals hand which held his.
answered very quietly. Il see," he
said
II forgot" the general went on, al
oil
talking aloud TO himself. Il forgot
they were not real brother and sis
ter 1t was mad of me. Such a beau
ty as my Alixe-such a wonderful lad
as my Francoisl Yet did not dream
of the change till yesterday. l have
gone through much since then, but.
thank God, thank the good God, it is
not too late. She does not love him.
1t has not gone further than what
saw, Francois" He fired the words
at the young fellow in his natural
manner again. You have not put
ideas into her head more than what
I saw"
no, my seigneur." The voice was
without inflexion; the look was still
on the big hand which held his own
fast.
You would not take her from Pie
tro, who / am sure loves herr"
Francois looked up sharply. but the
general did not notice. He spoke
slowly. Il promised Pietros father"
the boy seemed to be out Of breath
TO be Pietros friend-always, he
said.
The general smiled then and let the
fingers go, and turned TO the letter on
the table before him. Good" he
said. You are always what I WISH
Francois" and IL was quite evident
that the load was off his mind. Il
am contented that no harm has been
done TO either OF my children. AS for
you, however. you are twenty. You
are full ambition and soldier-craft and
politics and fighting-there is small
place left for love in such a boiling
kettle of fish as you. If my girl has
touched your heart a bit, as it looked
yesterday, and the general chuck
led gently-'well. you are twenty
the wound will heal" He slapped the
letter on the table. II must now have
a long talk with you on an interesting
subject-yourself."
The general was by this time IN
high good humOr A spasm caught
the face Of the boy and left 1t pale
but the general, busy at putting on his
spectacles did not see. When he
turned to look at him Francois was
as usual.
(To be Continued.)